What if I miss a dose of Wegovy?

If you remember within 5 days, take the missed dose as soon as you can and then resume your normal weekly schedule. If more than 5 days have passed, skip that dose and take the next one on your usual day. Don’t double up to “catch up” — that raises the chance of side effects without helping results.

Why missed doses happen

No treatment plan is perfect, and it is common to forget a dose of medicine occasionally. Wegovy is taken once a week, which makes it easier to fit into life than daily tablets or injections, but the longer gap between doses can also make it easier to lose track. People may be travelling, distracted by work or family life, or simply forget what day it is. Clinical trial data and NHS reviews show that missed doses happen for many patients, and the guidance is designed to make sure one slip does not derail the whole treatment plan.

The five-day rule

The official guidance is straightforward. If you are within five days of your usual injection day, take the missed dose as soon as possible. Then continue with your normal schedule on the chosen weekly day. If more than five days have passed, skip that dose and wait until the next scheduled one. This rule was tested during clinical trials and confirmed in the product licence, so it is based on real evidence about how semaglutide works in the body. The drug has a long half-life, which means it stays active for days after an injection, and this is why the five-day rule strikes the right balance between safety and effectiveness.

Why not to double up

Some people may be tempted to “make up” for a missed injection by giving themselves two doses close together, but this is not recommended. Doubling up does not improve weight loss results, and it raises the chance of side effects such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea. Semaglutide works by building steady levels in the body week after week, not by giving a bigger single dose. NICE and NHS guidance both stress that missed doses should be handled by following the five-day rule rather than trying to compensate.

NHS advice and support

In NHS weight-management services, nurses and pharmacists explain how to manage missed doses during first-dose training. Patients are reassured that it is safe to carry on as long as the rules are followed. Services often provide written instructions or reminder cards that spell out the three-day rule for switching days and the five-day rule for missed doses. If you are unsure, NHS advice is to contact your clinic, GP, or NHS 111 for confirmation before making any decision. Reviews are a chance to discuss whether reminders or other tools could help reduce the chance of missing future doses.

Practical strategies to avoid missed doses

Prevention is always better than correction, and a few small habits can make a big difference. Many people set a weekly phone alarm or calendar reminder for their injection day. Others link the dose to a regular weekly activity, such as Sunday lunch or Friday evening after work. Writing the date of each dose on the carton or in a treatment diary provides a visible record. For those who share their household routine with a partner or family member, asking for a reminder can add another layer of security. These strategies help build a rhythm so the weekly dose becomes part of everyday life rather than an afterthought.

What if multiple doses are missed?

Occasionally, more than one dose may be missed in a row, for example after illness or travel. In this situation, the safest approach is to speak with your clinic before restarting. Depending on how long the break has been, your prescriber may suggest restarting at a lower dose to reduce side effects, then gradually escalating again. This is especially important if treatment was paused for several weeks, as the body may no longer be used to the full maintenance dose. NHS services encourage patients not to restart on their own after a long gap but to seek professional advice.

What this means in practice

Missing a Wegovy injection is not the end of the world, but it should be handled properly. The five-day rule provides a clear, safe path forward, and doubling up should be avoided. NHS services offer guidance and reassurance, and practical strategies like reminders and diaries help reduce the chance of future slips. For occasional missed doses, following the rules keeps treatment on track, while for longer gaps, contacting your clinic ensures a safe restart. In practice, the flexibility built into Wegovy’s guidance means that patients can manage everyday life without losing the benefits of long-term treatment.