Can I take Wegovy a day late? Yes, taking Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) one day late is generally safe and should not significantly affect treatment outcomes. This once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist is licensed in the UK for weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidities. Whilst maintaining a consistent weekly injection schedule optimises therapeutic effectiveness, the medication's long half-life of approximately one week provides flexibility for minor timing variations. Understanding the appropriate steps when doses are delayed helps ensure safe, effective treatment whilst minimising potential side effects.
Quick Answer: Taking Wegovy one day late is generally safe and does not significantly compromise treatment effectiveness due to the medication's long half-life of approximately one week.
Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) is a once-weekly subcutaneous injection licensed in the UK for weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidities. The medication belongs to the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist class and works by mimicking the action of the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1, which regulates appetite and food intake.
The standard dosing schedule for Wegovy involves administering the injection once every seven days, on the same day each week. This consistent weekly schedule is designed to maintain steady therapeutic levels of semaglutide in your system, optimising its effects on appetite suppression, gastric emptying, and glucose regulation. The treatment follows a standard dose escalation over 16 weeks: starting at 0.25 mg weekly for 4 weeks, then increasing to 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, and 1.7 mg (each for 4 weeks), before reaching the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg weekly. Some patients may remain on 1.7 mg as a maintenance dose if the 2.4 mg dose is not tolerated. This titration schedule minimises gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
Maintaining a regular injection day helps establish a routine and ensures consistent medication levels. Many patients find it helpful to choose a day that fits their weekly schedule—perhaps a day when they have more time or can set reminders. The day of weekly administration can be changed if necessary, provided the time between two doses is at least 3 days (72 hours), as specified in the MHRA-approved product information.
Key points about Wegovy dosing:
Administered once weekly via subcutaneous injection
Should be taken on the same day each week
Can be given at any time of day, with or without meals
Injection sites include abdomen, thigh, or upper arm
Consistent timing supports treatment effectiveness and helps establish a sustainable routine
While Wegovy is licensed for adults with a BMI ≥30 kg/m² (obesity) or ≥27 kg/m² with weight-related comorbidities, NHS availability through specialist weight management services follows NICE guidance (TA875), which has specific eligibility criteria including BMI thresholds (with ethnicity adjustments) and prior interventions.
Missing a dose of Wegovy occasionally can happen, and understanding the appropriate steps to take depends on how much time has passed since your scheduled injection day. The manufacturer provides clear guidance based on the timing of the missed dose, which helps maintain therapeutic effectiveness whilst minimising potential side effects.
If fewer than 5 days have passed since your missed dose, you should administer the injection as soon as you remember. After taking the missed dose, resume your regular weekly schedule on your usual injection day. For example, if your usual injection day is Monday and you remember on Wednesday (two days late), take your dose on Wednesday and then continue with Monday as your regular injection day the following week.
If 5 days or more have passed since your scheduled dose, you should skip the missed dose entirely and wait until your next regularly scheduled injection day. Taking the dose after this timeframe could result in receiving two doses too close together, potentially increasing the risk of gastrointestinal adverse effects such as severe nausea, vomiting, or abdominal discomfort.
It is important never to take two doses with less than 3 days (72 hours) between them to make up for a missed dose. Doing so significantly increases the likelihood of experiencing adverse effects without providing additional therapeutic benefit. If you frequently miss doses or have concerns about your dosing schedule, contact your GP or prescribing clinician for personalised advice. After multiple missed doses, your prescriber may consider re-titration to a lower dose to minimise gastrointestinal side effects when restarting treatment.
Important reminders:
Set phone alarms or calendar reminders for your injection day
Keep your medication safely stored according to instructions
Consider using a medication tracking app
Inform your healthcare provider if you miss multiple doses
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Start HereTaking Wegovy one day late is generally considered safe and should not significantly impact the medication's effectiveness or increase your risk of adverse effects. The pharmacokinetic profile of semaglutide—with a half-life of approximately one week—means that therapeutic levels remain relatively stable even with minor timing variations.
When you take Wegovy a day late (within the 5-day window), the medication continues to work through its established mechanisms. Semaglutide binds to GLP-1 receptors in the brain, pancreas, and gastrointestinal tract, promoting satiety, slowing gastric emptying, and improving glycaemic control. These effects are sustained over several days due to the drug's long duration of action, which is why weekly dosing is feasible. A single day's delay does not substantially alter these physiological processes.
From a safety perspective, taking your injection one day late poses minimal risk. The gradual accumulation and elimination of semaglutide means that blood levels do not fluctuate dramatically with small timing variations. However, consistency remains important for optimal results. Clinical trials demonstrating Wegovy's efficacy were conducted with participants adhering to regular weekly schedules, and maintaining this routine supports the best possible weight management outcomes.
When resuming your regular schedule after a late dose, always maintain at least 3 days (72 hours) between injections, as specified in the product information. If you find yourself frequently taking doses late or struggling with adherence, this may indicate a need to reassess your injection day or develop better reminder strategies. Chronic inconsistency could theoretically reduce treatment effectiveness.
Clinical considerations:
One-day delays typically do not compromise treatment efficacy
The medication's long half-life provides a buffer for minor timing variations
Consistent adherence remains the gold standard for optimal outcomes
Seek urgent medical advice if you experience severe or persistent abdominal pain, signs of pancreatitis, or inability to keep fluids down
Discuss persistent adherence challenges with your healthcare provider
Re-establishing your regular Wegovy schedule after a missed dose requires a straightforward approach that prioritises both safety and treatment continuity. The key principle is to avoid taking two doses too close together whilst resuming your weekly routine as promptly as possible.
If you took your missed dose within 5 days (as recommended), you should then return to your original scheduled day for your next dose. For instance, if you usually inject on Thursdays but took a dose on Saturday after missing Thursday's injection, your next dose should be on the following Thursday. If you wish to permanently change your weekly injection day, you may do so, but ensure there are at least 3 days (72 hours) between doses, as specified in the product information.
If more than 5 days passed and you skipped the missed dose entirely, simply wait for your next scheduled injection day and resume your normal routine. Your body will have lower semaglutide levels than usual, but the medication will re-establish therapeutic concentrations with your next dose. You should not experience withdrawal effects, as Wegovy is not associated with physical dependence.
Practical strategies to prevent future missed doses include:
Link injections to weekly routines – choose a day when you follow a consistent schedule
Use multiple reminders – set phone alarms, calendar notifications, or smart home device alerts
Store medication properly – keep Wegovy pens in a refrigerator (2–8°C) before use; do not freeze; protect from light with cap on
Know storage flexibility – if needed, an unused pen can be kept at room temperature (not above 30°C) for up to 28 days before use
Dispose properly – Wegovy pens are for single use only and should be disposed of after injection
Keep a dosing diary – track each injection to identify patterns in missed doses
Always store Wegovy out of the sight and reach of children, and avoid exposure to heat and direct sunlight.
If you miss multiple doses or find adherence challenging, contact your GP or specialist weight management service. They can explore potential barriers—such as side effects, lifestyle factors, or concerns about injections—and provide tailored support. In some cases, your prescriber may recommend re-titration to a lower dose to minimise side effects when restarting treatment. Remember that consistent use of Wegovy, combined with dietary modifications and increased physical activity, offers the best opportunity for achieving and maintaining clinically significant weight loss.
If 5 days or more have passed since your scheduled Wegovy dose, skip the missed dose entirely and wait until your next regularly scheduled injection day. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed one, as this increases the risk of side effects.
Yes, you can change your weekly Wegovy injection day, provided there are at least 3 days (72 hours) between doses. Once you select a new day, continue with that day each week to maintain consistency.
Taking Wegovy one day late typically does not reduce its effectiveness due to the medication's long half-life of approximately one week, which maintains therapeutic levels despite minor timing variations. However, consistent weekly dosing remains important for optimal weight management outcomes.
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DisclaimerThis content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional with any medical questions or concerns. Use of the information is at your own risk, and we are not responsible for any consequences resulting from its use.
