What time of day should I inject Wegovy?

Any time of day works — morning or evening — because the weekly dose is designed to be flexible. Pick a time you can stick to, keep it the same each week, and set a reminder so doses aren’t missed. If your routine changes (shift work, travel), you can move the time as long as your weekly schedule stays consistent.

A flexible schedule

Wegovy is designed as a once-weekly injection, and its long half-life means the exact time of day does not affect how well it works. Whether you inject at breakfast, in the afternoon, or before bed, the medicine stays active for a full seven days. This flexibility is one of its advantages over daily medicines, which need to be timed much more precisely. The only real requirement is to choose a time that fits naturally into your lifestyle so you can remember it reliably week after week.

Why consistency matters

Although the hour of injection does not change effectiveness, keeping a consistent routine reduces confusion and prevents missed doses. Many people find it helpful to link their injection with a weekly activity — such as after Sunday lunch, on Saturday morning before shopping, or on a quiet evening during the week. The body thrives on routine, and treatment outcomes are strongest when adherence is steady. NICE guidance also emphasises adherence as a major factor in long-term success. This is why NHS clinics often encourage people to develop reminder systems and to treat the weekly injection as part of their normal schedule.

Tools to help you remember

Practical strategies can help avoid missed doses. Phone alarms and calendar alerts are the simplest, and they can be set to repeat every week at the same time. Some people prefer physical cues, like placing the pen box in a visible spot the night before injection day, or marking the date on the carton itself. For those who share their treatment plan with a partner or family member, a second reminder from another person can also reduce the chance of forgetting. These small steps turn the weekly injection into an easy habit rather than a stressful task.

Adjusting for lifestyle changes

Life is rarely static, and there may be times when routines shift. Travel, shift work, or family events can disrupt your normal schedule. The good news is that Wegovy allows for flexibility within the rules. If you want to move your injection to a different time of day, you can do so as long as you stick with the new time each week. If you want to change the actual day of the week, the “three-day rule” applies: there must be at least seventy-two hours between two injections. For example, if your usual day is Sunday and you want to move to Thursday, that is safe, but you cannot move to Tuesday. Once you change, keep to the new day to avoid confusion.

The five-day rule for missed doses

Sometimes the issue is not changing the time but forgetting a dose altogether. The guidance here is also straightforward: if you are within five days of your scheduled injection, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then continue on your regular weekly day. If more than five days have passed, skip the missed dose and wait until your next scheduled injection. These rules prevent doubling up or overlapping doses, which could increase side effects without adding benefit. NHS clinics explain these rules clearly during training so patients feel confident about what to do if things go off track.

NHS guidance and patient experience

NHS services emphasise that there is no “best” time of day to inject. Morning, afternoon, or evening are all acceptable; what matters is choosing a time that works for the individual. Some people prefer mornings so that the task is done early and they can get on with their day. Others prefer evenings when they are home and unhurried. Patients often report that after the first few weeks, the injection simply becomes part of the weekly rhythm of life. Reviews provide an opportunity to check how this is going, and adjustments can be made if needed.

What this means in practice

Wegovy’s once-weekly dosing schedule is designed to be adaptable. You can inject at any time of day, but keeping it consistent week to week helps prevent errors and build a sustainable habit. With simple reminder tools, clear NHS guidance, and a little planning around life’s disruptions, most people find that the timing soon becomes second nature. The freedom to choose the time of day is one of the features that makes Wegovy practical as a long-term treatment.