Missing a dose of Wegovy (semaglutide) is a common concern for patients using this once-weekly weight management injection. What happens if you miss a Wegovy dose depends on how much time has passed since your scheduled injection. If fewer than five days have elapsed, you should take the dose as soon as you remember and continue with your new weekly schedule. If five or more days have passed, skip the missed dose entirely and resume on your next scheduled day. Understanding the correct approach helps maintain therapeutic effectiveness whilst minimising gastrointestinal side effects. This article provides comprehensive guidance on managing missed doses, restarting treatment, and strategies to maintain consistent weekly dosing.

What to Do If You Miss a Wegovy Dose

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a once-weekly subcutaneous injection for weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidities. The medication follows a dose-escalation schedule, gradually increasing to a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg. Missing a dose can understandably cause concern, 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 on Wednesday and then continue with Wednesday as your new weekly injection day.

If five days or more have passed since your missed dose, skip the missed injection entirely and wait until your next scheduled dose. Do not take two doses to 'catch up'.

You can change your weekly injection day if needed, but always ensure there are at least three days between doses.

If you are uncertain about what to do or have missed multiple doses, contact your GP or prescribing clinician for personalised advice. They can assess whether any adjustments to your treatment plan are needed. Maintaining consistent weekly dosing helps optimise therapeutic outcomes and minimise side effects.

How Long Can You Go Without Taking Wegovy?

The pharmacokinetic profile of semaglutide means that therapeutic levels decline gradually after a missed dose, but the medication does not immediately leave your system. Semaglutide has a half-life of approximately one week, meaning it takes about five to six weeks for the drug to be completely eliminated from the body after discontinuation. However, many patients report that the effects on appetite suppression may diminish more quickly.

Missing one dose is unlikely to cause significant disruption to your weight management progress, particularly if you have been on a stable maintenance dose for some time. The medication's long half-life provides some buffer, and many patients do not experience immediate return of appetite or weight gain after a single missed injection. That said, consistency is important for optimal results, and regular dosing maintains stable drug levels that support sustained appetite control and metabolic benefits.

Extended interruptions may require clinical consideration. According to the Wegovy product information, if you miss two or more consecutive doses, you may either resume at your current dose or your clinician might consider reinitiating the dose-escalation schedule to reduce gastrointestinal side effects. This decision should be individualised based on how well you tolerate the medication.

If you anticipate an extended break from treatment due to illness, surgery, or other circumstances, discuss this with your healthcare provider in advance. They can provide guidance on when and how to safely restart treatment and whether any additional monitoring is required.

Side Effects and Risks of Missing Doses

Missing Wegovy doses does not typically cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms or acute medical complications, as semaglutide is not associated with physical dependence. However, there are several clinical considerations to be aware of when doses are missed.

Return of appetite and reduced satiety are the most immediate effects patients notice. Wegovy works by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone, which regulates appetite and food intake. When drug levels decline, the appetite-suppressing effects diminish, and you may experience increased hunger, larger portion sizes, and more frequent food cravings. This can lead to weight regain if the interruption is prolonged.

Gastrointestinal side effects upon restarting represent a significant consideration, particularly after extended breaks. When you resume Wegovy after missing multiple doses, you may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, and abdominal discomfort. This is why dose re-titration might be considered after missing two or more consecutive doses.

Glycaemic control considerations are relevant for patients using Wegovy who also have type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide improves blood glucose regulation, and missing doses may lead to temporary elevations in blood sugar levels. If you take insulin or sulfonylureas, be aware that restarting Wegovy may increase the risk of hypoglycaemia.

There is no evidence that occasionally missing a dose increases the risk of serious adverse events, but you should remain vigilant for important warning signs. Seek urgent medical attention if you experience severe, persistent abdominal pain (which may indicate pancreatitis), symptoms of gallbladder problems (pain in your upper abdomen, fever, yellowing of skin/eyes), severe vomiting leading to dehydration, or signs of allergic reaction.

If you experience any suspected side effects from Wegovy, you can report them through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme, which helps monitor the safety of medicines.

Restarting Wegovy After a Missed Dose

The approach for restarting Wegovy depends primarily on the duration of the treatment interruption and how many doses you've missed.

If you've missed a single dose and it's been fewer than five days since your scheduled injection day, take the dose as soon as possible and continue with your new weekly schedule from that point. If it's been five or more days, skip the missed dose and take your next injection on the regularly scheduled day.

If you've missed two or more consecutive doses, the UK product information provides two options:

1. You may resume at your current dose, or
2. Your clinician may consider reinitiating the dose-escalation schedule to reduce gastrointestinal side effects

If restarting with the dose-escalation schedule, this typically follows:

• Weeks 1–4: 0.25 mg once weekly

• Weeks 5–8: 0.5 mg once weekly

• Weeks 9–12: 1 mg once weekly

• Weeks 13–16: 1.7 mg once weekly

• Week 17 onwards: 2.4 mg once weekly (maintenance dose)

If you don't tolerate a dose increase, your clinician may delay it by 4 weeks. This gradual approach allows your gastrointestinal system to adapt to the medication again and reduces the risk of nausea, vomiting, and other adverse effects.

Clinical assessment before restarting is advisable if you have had a prolonged interruption, particularly if this was due to side effects, illness, or surgery. Your GP or specialist should review your current health status, weight management goals, and any changes in your medical history or concurrent medications.

Tips to Remember Your Weekly Wegovy Injection

Maintaining consistent adherence to weekly Wegovy injections is crucial for achieving optimal weight management outcomes. Implementing practical strategies can significantly improve your dosing consistency and reduce the likelihood of missed injections.

Choose a consistent day and time that fits naturally into your weekly routine. Many patients find success by linking their injection to a regular weekly activity, such as Sunday evening before preparing for the work week, or Friday after work as part of their weekend routine. Consistency helps establish a habit, making the injection feel like a normal part of your schedule.

Use digital reminders and alarms. Set up recurring weekly alerts on your smartphone, smartwatch, or digital calendar. Consider setting the reminder for a few hours before your intended injection time, giving you flexibility if you are away from home. Some patients find it helpful to set a second reminder for the day before as an advance warning. NHS-approved medication reminder apps can also send notifications and track your dosing history.

Keep your medication visible and accessible. Store your Wegovy pens in a designated spot in your refrigerator where you will see them regularly. Some patients use a small container or box labelled with the day of the week. Ensure you have alcohol swabs, a sharps bin, and any other supplies readily available in the same location to remove barriers to administration.

Maintain a dosing diary or use a tracking app. Recording each injection helps you monitor adherence and provides a reference if you are unsure whether you have taken your weekly dose. Simple methods include marking a calendar, using a medication tracking app, or keeping a note on your phone.

Plan ahead for travel and holidays. If you will be away from home on your usual injection day, pack your Wegovy pen in an insulated cool bag with ice packs (never freeze the medication). You may change your weekly injection day if needed, but ensure there are at least three days between doses.

Dispose of used pens and needles safely. Always use a proper sharps bin for used needles and pens. When full, you can typically return these to your local pharmacy or contact your local council about their sharps disposal service.

Involve family members or use accountability partners. Informing a trusted family member or friend about your injection schedule can provide additional support. They can offer gentle reminders or check in with you weekly, particularly during the initial months of treatment when you are still establishing your routine.

Frequently Asked Questions