Can you skip a week of Wegovy (semaglutide)? What to do if you miss a dose
Skipped your Wegovy shot this week? Before you panic (or double up), here's exactly what you should and shouldn't do to stay on track with your weight loss goals.
Key highlights
- Wegovy (semaglutide) is a once-weekly subcutaneous injection to reduce body weight in obese and overweight individuals 12 years of age and older with at least one weight-related health condition.
- You should take Wegovy on the same day every week consistently for optimal results.
- Missing doses can hinder your treatment and make it harder to lose weight.
- You can take Wegovy at any time of the day, preferably at a time when you are most alert and likely to remember.
- If you want to change your scheduled dosing day, talk to your doctor first. If you miss a dose, ask your doctor how to get back on track.
Wegovy (semaglutide) is an FDA-approved prescription medication for chronic weight management in adults and children 12 years and older with obesity (BMI of 30 or more) and overweight (BMI of 27 or more) with at least one weight-related condition, such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure.
In addition to weight loss, Wegovy is approved to lower the risk of serious heart problems like heart attacks and stroke in obese or overweight adults with heart disease.
Wegovy is administered as a weekly dose. Missing a dose happens, and you’re not alone. One missed dose won’t ruin all your progress.
What to do if you forget a dose? Don’t panic. You might still be able to take it within a few days, but if too much time has passed, it’s usually best to skip that dose and take the next one as scheduled. Always check with your doctor to know what’s right for your situation.
Missed your Wegovy injection? Here’s what to do (and not to do) next to avoid side effects and stay on track with your weight loss goals.
What is Wegovy?
Wegovy is FDA approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity and overweight with at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. It was also approved in 2024 for reducing the risk of serious heart problems in adults with obesity or overweight.
In March 2024, the FDA approved Wegovy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, stroke, and heart attack in adults with cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight.
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, a class of drugs that has two benefits: controlling blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes and weight loss in people with or without type 2 diabetes when used with diet and exercise.
Why consistency matters
Wegovy is a weight loss medicine that works as a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1), a natural hormone in your body. It slows down digestion and helps you feel full, so you eat less.
Wegovy is a weekly injection with a monthly dose titration. Healthcare professionals usually start with a low dose and gradually increase it over time until the maintenance dose is reached, depending on how the body responds.
Here’s a common Wegovy dosing schedule:
- Month 1 (Weeks 1–4): 0.25 mg per week (starting dose)
- Month 2 (Weeks 5–8): 0.5 mg
- Month 3 (Weeks 9–12): 1.0 mg
- Month 4 (Weeks 13–16+): 1.7 mg
- Month 5 and beyond: 2.4 mg per week
Doses higher than 2.4 mg weekly are not approved and have not been studied for safety or efficacy. So 2.4 mg weekly is both the maximum approved dose and the recommended maintenance dose for chronic weight management with Wegovy.
You should take Wegovy on the same day every week. This helps the medicine work well in your body and supports weight loss. Missing or changing your dose can interrupt this balance and make it harder to lose weight.
Also, taking Wegovy at the same time every week can reduce side effects like nausea or stomach issues. You shouldn’t take it earlier or later than scheduled. If you want to change your dose schedule, talk to your doctor first.
Semaglutide’s half-life
The half-life of a drug is the time it takes for half of the medicine to leave your body. For semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, the half-life is about 7 days.
That’s why Wegovy is taken once a week. It keeps a steady level of the medicine in your system, which is important for it to work properly and support weight loss. Taking it weekly ensures your body always has enough of the drug to control appetite and help with digestion.
How consistent levels of Wegovy help your progress
With steady semaglutide levels, you’ll reduce hunger and feel fuller so you can stick to healthy eating habits.
Consistent dosing supports ongoing weight loss by maintaining the full effect of the medicine.
Gradual dose increases and regular use help your body adjust to the medicine. Skipping doses or inconsistent use may cause side effects like nausea or stomach issues.
Stay on schedule and you’ll get the most benefit with the least amount of setbacks.
What happens when levels drop (even slightly)
The effects could vary by person. You may get hungry or food noise (constant thoughts about food) back. The medicine’s appetite suppression effects could weaken. Your weight loss may even slow down or stall.
Even small gaps in dosing can affect how well Wegovy works, so consistency is key.
Can you skip a week of Wegovy?
Missing one dose of Wegovy isn’t a big deal, but it can bring back side effects when you take your next dose, especially if you’re on a higher dose. Sticking to your schedule is the best way to get good results and avoid any health issues.
Taking Wegovy regularly keeps the right amount of medicine in your body. This steady level is important for appetite control and weight loss. Skipping or changing doses can throw off this balance and may affect the medication’s effectiveness.
Official guidelines on missed doses (from Novo Nordisk)
Novo Nordisk recommends the following for missed doses:
- If it’s been less than 2 days (48 hours) since your missed dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember.
- If it’s been more than 2 days: Skip the missed dose and wait until your next scheduled injection.
Don’t take two doses at once to make up for a missed one. Always follow your regular dosing schedule unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
What happens if you miss a dose of Wegovy
If you consistently miss or skip Wegovy doses, this can lead to:
Reduced effectiveness and slower progress
Missing doses can cause the medication levels in your body to drop. This can reduce appetite control, making you feel hungrier and more likely to have cravings. As a result, your weight loss may slow down or stop.
Higher risk of side effects when restarting
If you go too long without a dose, your body may lose its tolerance to the medicine. Restarting at the same high dose can bring back uncomfortable side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation.
Risk of weight regain
Lower or inconsistent medication levels can reduce appetite suppression. This may cause you to return to old eating habits, increasing the chances of regaining lost weight.
Unsafe practices to avoid
- Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed one; this is dangerous and can lead to serious side effects.
- Rotating injection sites every week can help prevent reactions at the injection site. Avoid injecting into muscles, veins, or scars, and don’t use areas of skin that are red, bruised, or cut.
- Don’t change your dose or restart Wegovy without talking to your doctor, especially if you’ve missed more than a couple of weeks.
- Although Wegovy and Ozempic contain the same active ingredient (semaglutide), they have different doses and are approved for different primary uses (weight loss vs. diabetes). Do not switch between them without explicit instructions from your doctor.
Consistency and medical guidance are key to staying safe and getting the best results with Wegovy.
How to handle a missed dose?
Missing a dose can bring back your appetite or cravings. If you miss doses often, you may have more side effects, and the medicine may not work as well. This can slow down your weight loss or even lead to weight gain.
It’s manageable if you forget a dose sometimes. What you do next depends on how close it is to your next scheduled dose:
- If you miss a dose and it’s within 2 days (48 hours) of your usual injection day: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Take your next dose on your regular day.
- If you miss a dose and it’s more than 2 days (48 hours) past your usual injection day: Skip the missed dose. Wait until your next regular dose. Never take two doses within 48 hours.
- If you’ve missed doses for more than 2 weeks: Call your doctor. They may tell you to go back to your regular schedule or restart Wegovy at a lower dose to reduce side effects.
To avoid forgetting, you can set a weekly alarm or reminder on your phone, or write your injection dates on the Wegovy box or in your calendar. Don’t take an extra dose to make up for a missed one.
If you intentionally skipped a dose due to side effects or illness:
- Talk to your doctor: If you’re feeling sick or having strong side effects like constant vomiting or severe nausea, don’t skip a dose on your own. Always check with your doctor first. They may tell you to skip or pause treatment for a bit.
- Safety first: In some cases, it’s safer to skip a dose than to push through severe side effects, but this should always be decided with medical advice.
Never double up the dose. Doubling up can lead to serious side effects like severe nausea, vomiting, or low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Follow the rules instead of taking extra. It’s safer and more effective in the long run.
Side effects to watch out for
For most people, the side effects of Wegovy are manageable and usually get better over time. Common side effects include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Headache
- Upset stomach
- Heartburn
Here are some tips to help manage Wegovy side effects:
- Eat low-fat, plain foods
- Limit spicy foods and alcohol
- Eat slowly and avoid lying down right after eating
- Try walking for 10 minutes or more after eating
- Wear loose clothing
In rare instances, Wegovy can cause serious side effects:
- Risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Acute kidney/gallbladder disease
- Allergic reactions
- Diabetic retinopathy in patients with Type 2 Diabetes
- Increased heart rate
- Suicidal thoughts
Wegovy has a black box warning from the FDA for the risk of thyroid tumors or thyroid cancer.
Wegovy must not be given to people with a personal or family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) or medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).
FAQ’S
Will I gain weight if I miss a week?
You won’t gain weight from missing just one dose. Remember that consistency helps keep your appetite in check and supports long-term weight loss.
Can I change my injection day?
Yes, you can switch your injection day by 1-2 days (from Friday to Sunday, for example) if needed. Just make sure your next dose is at least 7 days after the last one and talk to your doctor before making any changes.
What if I miss multiple doses?
If you miss multiple doses, your doctor may need to adjust your treatment plan or restart at a lower dose. Always call your healthcare provider before resuming Wegovy.
How do I store Wegovy?
Unopened Wegovy pens should be stored in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Keep them in their original packaging to protect them from light. Once a pen is in use (opened), it can be stored at room temperature, up to 86°F (30°C), for up to 56 days. Do not freeze Wegovy pens.
Tips to avoid missing doses
Here are a few ways to not miss Wegovy doses:
Set reminders
Use alarms, calendar notifications, or medication reminder apps to help you remember. Taking the medication on the same day and time each week makes it easier to stay on track.
Keep a backup Wegovy pen
Having an extra pen on hand is helpful for travel, delays, or unexpected issues.
Visual cues
Store your Wegovy pen in a visible (but safe and temperature-controlled) spot, like near your bathroom mirror or refrigerator. Mark each dose on a calendar so you can see your progress.
Link to a routine
Pair your injection with a weekly habit, like every Sunday after breakfast or Friday evening after brushing your teeth. This creates a strong reminder and makes it part of your routine.
Plan for travel and holidays
Here are some easy tips to help you stick to your routine while on vacation:
- Choose a time during your trip when you’ll be free to take your weekly shot.
- Set a reminder on your phone so you don’t forget.
- Pack your Wegovy pen and keep it at the right temperature.
Remember, if you’re thinking of changing your dose or skipping a shot, talk to your doctor first. Making changes without medical advice can be risky and may slow down your progress.
When to call your doctor
Call your doctor:
- If you have severe side effects after missing a dose or restarting Wegovy.
- If you’re thinking of stopping Wegovy for a long time.
Your doctor can help you manage symptoms and make the best plan for your weight loss journey.
Conclusion
Wegovy is a powerful weight loss medication that works best with lifestyle changes like diet and increased physical activity, and under medical supervision.
Missing a dose once in a while won’t hurt your progress, but consistent use is key to getting the most benefits and the least side effects.
Follow the prescribed Wegovy dosage and titration schedule for safety and best results.
For short gaps, follow the “take it now or skip” rule based on the 2-day rule. For longer breaks or if unsure, always call your doctor before restarting or changing your dose.
By sticking to your injections and staying in touch with your healthcare team, you’re building the foundation for long-term results and better health.
