If you miss a dose of GLP-1, you may be able to take it right away or wait until your next scheduled dose. It depends on the medication you take and how many doses you’ve missed.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 medications) work by mimicking a natural hormone in your body that helps regulate blood sugar and signals to your brain that you’re full.

Missing a dose of your GLP-1 medication might make you wonder what you need to do next. This guide explains what to do, how to resume treatment safely, and provides practical tips for preventing missed doses.

GLP-1 medications work by increasing feelings of fullness and decreasing your appetite, so if you miss a dose, you may notice an increase in hunger or “food noise“.

The time it takes for a drug to leave your system can vary. For example, after 7 days, the amount of Ozempic or Wegovy in your system reduces by half.

If you have type 2 diabetes, missing doses can also cause your blood sugar levels to rise, which might lead to symptoms like increased thirst or fatigue.

However, the biggest problem could be the side effects that can occur when you take your next dose of GLP-1. Your body builds up a tolerance over time, so if the drug leaves your system and you suddenly take a high dose again, you may experience gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.

Every GLP-1 medication has a specific window of time where it is safe to take a late dose. If you are within that window, you can take the missed dose and then resume your regular schedule. If you miss that window, you generally have to skip the dose entirely and wait for your next scheduled day.

Here are some missed dose guidelines for different GLP-1 medications:

  • Ozempic (injectable semaglutide): Take the missed dose as soon as possible, but only within 5 days of the day you were supposed to take it. If more than 5 days have passed, skip it and wait for your next regularly scheduled dose.
  • Wegovy (injectable semaglutide): If your next scheduled dose is more than 2 days (48 hours) away, you can take the missed dose right away. If the next dose is less than 2 days away, skip the missed one.
  • Wegovy (oral semaglutide tablets): Skip the missed dose and take the next dose the following day.
  • Trulicity (injectable dulaglutide): You can take the missed dose as long as there are at least 3 days (72 hours) before your next scheduled dose. Otherwise, skip it.
  • Mounjaro / Zepbound (injectable tirzepatide): These should be taken as soon as possible within 4 days (96 hours) of the missed dose. If it has been longer than 4 days, skip it.
  • Victoza / Saxenda (daily injectable liraglutide): Skip the missed dose and take the next one at your usual time. Never take two doses at once to make up for missing one.

If you miss more than one or two weeks of medication, it’s not a good idea to jump back in where you left off. After several weeks, the drug may have left your system enough that your tolerance is gone. Resuming taking it at the same dose can lead to some unpleasant side effects.

Talk with your doctor or another healthcare professional about how to start taking the medication again. They may recommend starting at a lower dose and slowly increasing the amount.

For example, if you miss three or more doses of liraglutide, it is recommended that you restart at the lowest 0.6 mg dose and increase it weekly. This slow buildup prevents the drug from overwhelming your body.

Your doctor will advise you based on your medication and the number of doses you’ve missed.

Gaps in treatment are often caused by factors outside your control, like medication shortages, but some can be prevented. Here are some ways to avoid missing a dose:

  • Set reminders: Using your phone calendar or alarm can remind you when to take your medication or order a refill.
  • Refill early: Contact your pharmacy and insurance company as soon as you’re allowed to refill so you have a buffer in case the pharmacy runs out of stock.
  • Monitor supply issues: Check your medication brand’s website to stay informed about any national supply issues.
Medical Perspective

If you’re away from home for longer than a week, it’s important to carry enough medication and supplies to last while you’re away. It can be helpful to use an alarm or a reminder app on your phone to help keep you on track with your GLP-1 injections while traveling. (Please note this applies only for weekly injections such as Ozempic, not other forms of GLP-1s.)

— Kristina D. Carter, PharmD, MBA, MHA

Find out how long Mounjaro stays in your system.

Quotes represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Yes. Without the drug slowing your digestion, you may feel hungrier and want to eat more, which may cause you to regain some weight.

It varies by drug. While you may feel the effects wear off in a week, medications like Ozempic can take about 5 weeks to fully leave your circulation. Discuss with your doctor how long your GLP-1 is likely to remain in your system.

Yes, most injectable GLP-1s like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Victoza can be taken at any time of day, regardless of when you eat.

The most common issues are gastrointestinal, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. These are much more likely if you restart at a high dose after a long break.

Discuss your options with a doctor. They may suggest switching to a different GLP-1 brand that is in stock or using other types of medications to support diabetes or weight loss.

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Missing a dose of a GLP-1 medication can cause your appetite to return and your blood sugar to fluctuate. You may also experience side effects if you restart a high dose too quickly.

Always check the medication brand guidelines for missing a dose and, if in doubt about what to do, talk with a doctor.

Disclaimer

Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication.

The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.