What happens if you miss a dose of Wegovy? Missing your weekly Wegovy (semaglutide) injection can disrupt your weight management treatment, but the appropriate action depends on timing. If fewer than five days have passed since your scheduled dose, take it as soon as you remember and resume your weekly schedule. If five or more days have elapsed, skip the missed dose entirely and wait for your next scheduled injection. Never take two doses within three days of each other, as this increases the risk of gastrointestinal side effects. Understanding how to manage missed doses ensures you maintain the medication's effectiveness whilst minimising potential adverse effects.
Quick Answer: If you miss a Wegovy dose and fewer than five days have passed, take it immediately and resume your weekly schedule; if five or more days have passed, skip the missed dose and wait for your next scheduled injection.
Wegovy (semaglutide) 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 follows a dose escalation schedule, typically reaching a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg. Missing a dose can disrupt your treatment schedule, but the appropriate action depends on how much time has elapsed.
If fewer than five 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 from that point forward. For example, if your usual injection day is Monday and you remember on Wednesday (two days late), take your dose immediately and then continue with injections every seven days from Wednesday. Note that if you change your weekly injection day, you must ensure at least 72 hours (3 days) elapse between doses, as specified in the Wegovy Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC).
If five days or more have passed since your scheduled dose, skip the missed injection entirely and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take two doses within three days of each other, as this significantly increases the risk of gastrointestinal adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
It is advisable to mark your calendar or set reminders on your mobile device to help maintain consistency. If you frequently miss doses or are uncertain about what to do, contact your GP, practice nurse, or the specialist service that prescribed Wegovy for personalised guidance. The manufacturer's Patient Information Leaflet provides detailed instructions for missed doses.
The pharmacokinetic profile of semaglutide means it has a half-life of approximately one week, allowing for once-weekly dosing as documented in the European Medicines Agency's European Public Assessment Report (EPAR) for Wegovy.
Missing a single dose occasionally is unlikely to cause significant harm, though you may notice a temporary reduction in appetite suppression or blood glucose control if you have type 2 diabetes. The medication's effects diminish gradually as serum concentrations decline, so one missed injection does not immediately reverse your progress.
If you miss two or more consecutive doses, it's advisable to contact your prescriber before continuing treatment. While the UK SmPC does not provide specific guidance on restarting after prolonged interruptions, clinical practice often involves considering re-titration after extended gaps in treatment.
After prolonged interruptions of several weeks or months, your healthcare professional may recommend dose re-escalation following the standard titration schedule (starting at 0.25 mg weekly and gradually increasing to minimise gastrointestinal side effects). This approach reduces the risk of severe nausea and vomiting that can occur when restarting at a higher maintenance dose after an extended break, as your body's tolerance to semaglutide may have decreased during the interruption.
There is no official maximum safe duration without Wegovy before permanent discontinuation is required, but treatment gaps should be discussed with your healthcare team. They will assess your individual circumstances, weight management goals, and any adverse effects experienced to determine the most appropriate course of action.
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Start HereMissing doses of Wegovy can lead to several consequences, though the severity depends on the frequency and duration of missed injections.
Reduced therapeutic efficacy is the most immediate concern. Semaglutide works by mimicking glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which slows gastric emptying, reduces appetite, and improves glycaemic control. When doses are missed, these effects diminish, potentially leading to:
Increased appetite and food intake, which may result in weight regain or stalled weight loss
Reduced satiety, making it more difficult to adhere to dietary modifications
Fluctuating blood glucose levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
Another significant risk involves tolerance changes. Your gastrointestinal system adapts to semaglutide during the initial titration phase. If you miss multiple doses and then resume at your previous maintenance dose, you may experience a recurrence of side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, and abdominal discomfort. These symptoms can be severe enough to affect daily activities and quality of life.
Occasional missed doses are unlikely to cause long-term harm, but inconsistent dosing undermines the medication's intended benefits. Weight management with Wegovy is most effective when combined with lifestyle modifications, and irregular dosing may also affect your motivation and adherence to dietary and exercise changes.
Important safety warnings: If you experience severe or persistent abdominal pain (particularly if radiating to the back), stop taking Wegovy and seek urgent medical attention, as this could indicate pancreatitis. The SmPC also highlights risks of gallbladder disease (watch for right upper quadrant pain, fever or jaundice) and dehydration leading to acute kidney injury if severe vomiting or diarrhoea occur. Patients taking insulin or sulfonylureas should be aware of increased hypoglycaemia risk and may need dose adjustments of these medications.
The protocol for restarting Wegovy depends on the duration of the treatment interruption and your previous tolerance to the medication.
For gaps of less than two weeks, you can typically resume at your previous dose, though you should consult your prescriber if you've missed two consecutive doses. Be prepared for potential gastrointestinal symptoms, which are usually mild and transient.
For longer interruptions, it's important to consult your prescriber before restarting. While the UK SmPC does not provide specific guidance on restarting after prolonged gaps, clinical experience suggests that re-titration may be necessary to minimise adverse effects. Your healthcare professional may advise:
Restarting at a lower dose (typically 0.25 mg weekly) and following the standard escalation schedule as outlined in the SmPC: 0.25 mg for 4 weeks, then 0.5 mg for 4 weeks, 1.0 mg for 4 weeks, 1.7 mg for 4 weeks, and finally 2.4 mg maintenance
Modified re-titration based on your individual circumstances and previous experience with the medication
The decision depends on factors including how long you were taking Wegovy before the interruption, your previous tolerance, the reason for missing doses, and your current weight management goals.
Practical considerations when restarting include:
Scheduling your first injection on a day when you can rest if side effects occur
Eating smaller, more frequent, low-fat meals may help manage nausea (though the injection itself can be administered regardless of meal timing)
Avoiding high-fat, spicy, or rich foods that may exacerbate nausea
Ensuring adequate hydration, particularly if experiencing gastrointestinal side effects
Your prescriber may arrange follow-up appointments to monitor your response, assess tolerability, and adjust the dose if necessary. If you experience severe or persistent adverse effects upon restarting, contact your GP or specialist service rather than discontinuing treatment independently.
Maintaining a consistent weekly injection schedule is crucial for optimal outcomes with Wegovy. The following strategies can help you remember your doses and integrate the medication into your routine.
Choose a consistent injection day that aligns with your weekly schedule. Many patients find that weekend mornings work well, as they have more time and are less rushed. Once you select a day, try to inject at approximately the same time each week, though the exact timing is less critical than maintaining the seven-day interval.
Use technology to your advantage:
Set recurring weekly reminders on your smartphone with alerts the day before and on injection day
Use medication reminder apps specifically designed for chronic disease management
Enable calendar notifications with sufficient advance warning to collect your prescription if needed
Consider smart home devices (e.g., voice assistants) to provide audible reminders
Create visual cues in your environment. Store your Wegovy pens according to the Patient Information Leaflet instructions: in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C), in the original carton to protect from light, not in the freezer or refrigerator door, and out of sight and reach of children. Place a reminder note in a frequently viewed location such as your bathroom mirror or refrigerator.
Link your injection to an existing weekly routine, such as a regular weekend activity, grocery shopping day, or a specific television programme. This behavioural anchoring helps establish a habit pattern.
Maintain adequate supplies by requesting repeat prescriptions well in advance. Wegovy is currently subject to supply constraints in the UK, so planning ahead is essential. Contact your pharmacy at least 7-14 days before you need your next pen, as advised in NHS England supply disruption notices.
Involve a family member or friend who can provide gentle reminders, particularly during the initial months of treatment. Some patients find that accountability partners improve adherence.
If you continue to struggle with remembering doses despite these strategies, discuss this with your healthcare team. They may identify barriers to adherence or suggest alternative weight management approaches better suited to your lifestyle and preferences.
No, never take two Wegovy doses within three days of each other. If more than five days have passed since your missed dose, skip it entirely and wait for your next regularly scheduled injection to avoid severe gastrointestinal side effects.
Missing a single Wegovy dose is unlikely to cause immediate weight gain, though you may notice temporary increases in appetite and reduced satiety. The medication's effects diminish gradually due to its one-week half-life, so occasional missed doses do not immediately reverse your progress.
After missing multiple consecutive weeks of Wegovy, consult your prescriber before restarting. They may recommend re-titration starting at 0.25 mg weekly to minimise gastrointestinal side effects, as your body's tolerance to semaglutide may have decreased during the treatment gap.
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