Can you skip a week of your GLP-1?
Want to take a short break? Here’s what doctors say to do.
While GLP-1s are designed to be administered once a week, there are certain moments when you might be tempted to skip a week. Maybe you have a visitor coming into town and you want to avoid any side effects. Or you’re going on vacation and want to have more of an appetite so you can enjoy all of your favorite foods. Although experts recommend taking GLP-1s consistently and as directed, it’s okay to do this on occasion, says Dr. Disha Narang, M.D., director of obesity medicine at Endeavor Health in Skokie, IL. You may notice more cravings and hunger, but “that might be the desired goal,” she adds.
Here are some key things to keep in mind:
Loop in your provider
Talk to your doctor before taking an intentional break. Although skipping one week of a GLP-1 likely won’t cause harm, you may notice an increase in side effects once you start up the medication again. It’s also possible that you may notice a rise in hunger and cravings when off the medication, even for a short period of time.
Don’t skip a week too often
With whatever medication you’re taking, it’s always best to follow the dosing schedule. This holds true for GLP-1s, since taking them as prescribed ensures they’re most effective at managing your weight. Sticking to the weekly dosing schedule can also help keep side effects at bay because your body is used to having a certain level of the medication in your system, says Narang. If the level drops and rises again, side effects can worsen.
Learn more about GLP-1 side effects
Don’t skip more than one dose
“Missing multiple weeks in a row will start to become a problem,” says Dr. Supirya Rao, M.D., a board-certified physician in internal medicine, gastroenterology, obesity medicine, and lifestyle medicine based in Boston. That’s because longer breaks can raise the risk for regaining weight, as well as make it more likely that you’ll experience side effects once you resume taking it again.
Be smart about when you take your next dose
If it’s been less than a week, you can take the next dose when you’re ready to resume and make that day your new weekly dose date.
If you miss a full week, take your GLP-1 on your normal day and keep going weekly after that.
If it’s been more than a week, you may need to drop back down to a lower dose to reduce the risk of side effects when you start back up again, like nausea, Narang says, so talk to your provider.
Know what to expect
You’ll likely experience an increase in hunger and cravings after missing your dose. Narang recommends focusing on fiber (like fruits, veggies, and whole grains) and protein (lean meats, fish, seafood) to feel fuller, while limiting processed foods. In addition, make sure you’re staying active with exercise (aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and two days of strength training per week, according to recommendations). If you keep your lifestyle consistent with what you were doing while on the medication, you may still be able to maintain your weight or even still lose some weight the week you skip a dose, says Narang. This is the perfect time to lean on the tools available to you in the GLP-1 Success Program — they can help you stick with your healthy habits no matter what else is going on in your life.