Missing a dose of Ozempic happens. It’s taken just once a week, so it’s easy to forget, and sometimes shipping delays or product shortages can cause you to miss your dose. Here’s what to do if you miss your weekly injection of Ozempic.
What happens if I miss my weekly dose of Ozempic?
If you are taking Ozempic (semaglutide) for weight loss and miss your weekly injection, don’t worry. Missing one dose of Ozempic won’t throw off your weight loss routine, and it won’t prevent you from achieving your goals. In fact, it’s easy to get right back on track—just follow the guidance below.
What should I do if I missed my weekly injection of Ozempic?
Novo Nordisk, the creator of Ozempic, provides the following guidelines:
If you miss your regularly scheduled dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible within 5 days of the missed dose. You shouldn’t take two doses of Ozempic within 48 hours of each other
If it’s been more than 5 days since the missed dose, skip the missed dose altogether, and take your next dose on your regularly scheduled day.
If you need additional guidance on what to do for a missed dose, please contact your provider’s office.
Novo Nordisk’s guidelines for a missed or delayed dose of Ozempic
There must be at least 2 full days (48 hours) between Ozempic injections.
So, if there are less than 48 hours between realizing you missed a dose and taking your next scheduled dose, then skip the missed dose altogether.
How long can you go without Ozempic and still maintain progress?
The answer to this question is specific to each person. Research shows that people who discontinue their Ozempic tend to gain back the weight they lost while on it, but it doesn’t happen overnight. One reason for this is that Ozempic stays in your system for quite a while. If you are taking Ozempic to treat obesity, a small amount of the drug can still be present in your body up to 7 weeks after taking your last dose.
One benefit of taking Ozempic is that it encourages you to pick up healthy habits and gain an understanding of what your diet and exercise choices must look like in order for you to reach your health goals. And the more healthy habits you start while on Ozempic, the easier it will be to keep the weight off should you have to stop taking it.
For most people, though, staying on a maintenance dose of Ozempic gives them the best chance of keeping off unwanted weight. It’s important to keep your provider up to speed on your progress and your struggles while on semaglutide so they can help you decide the best course of action, which may include adjusting your dose.
Tips to prevent missing your dose
Here are a few ways to help ensure you always take your Ozempic on time:
- Plan to take your dose at the same time every week.
- Set a weekly digital reminder using an alarm or calendar app on your smartphone or computer.
- Pair the act of taking your dose with something else that you do once a week, such as attending a religious service or group meeting, doing laundry, or shopping for groceries.
- Stay up to date on supply status and shipping times from your pharmacy—and order your next dose well ahead of time. Because Ozempic is so popular, it can take more than a week between ordering your next dose and receiving it.
If you’re worried about weekly injections and are curious about alternatives, consider Rybelsus—a daily pill that contains the same medication as Ozempic (semaglutide).
Can you take too much Ozempic?
Yes, you can take too much Ozempic. If you take a larger dose of Ozempic than what is prescribed to you, you’re likely to experience side effects—usually gastrointestinal (GI) side effects like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
That’s why, just as with any medication, you should take your Ozempic exactly as prescribed. And when using Ozempic pens, it’s important to double check that the dose showing in the dose counter window matches the weekly dose in milligrams (mg) your provider has prescribed you to take.
If you think you took too much Ozempic, call your doctor or your local poison control center (800-222-1222).
Looking for Ozempic alternatives?
QuickMD offers prescription Rybelsus, a once-daily pill that contains the same medicine as Ozempic.
Contact QuickMD to talk to a provider today about a semaglutide prescription for weight loss.
