Do you have to take semaglutide at the same time every week?

In this article:

• Do you have to take semaglutide at the same time every week?
• When is the best time to take semaglutide?
• Can you change your semaglutide injection day?
• What if you miss a dose of semaglutide?

In this article

• Do you have to take semaglutide at the same time every week?
• When is the best time to take semaglutide?
• Can you change your semaglutide injection day?
• What if you miss a dose of semaglutide?

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1) medication prescribed to manage Type 2 diabetes, reduce the risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks, and assist with chronic weight management. It’s available as a weekly injectable in the form of Ozempic and Wegovy, which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved for different uses. It’s also available as an oral pill called Rybelsus, which is approved for use in Type 2 diabetes treatment. Many people taking some form of semaglutide for the first time worry about how strict their weekly dose needs to be. Here’s what to know about timing your weekly (or daily) semaglutide dose, and what to do if you miss a dose or fall behind. 

Do you have to take semaglutide at the same time every week?

While it’s best practice to take your medications on a consistent schedule, injectable semaglutide has some flexibility as long as you’re taking it on the same day each week. Keeping the same injection day allows semaglutide to provide the best results.  

“I’ve had patients report that if they take it too soon, they develop GI side effects like nausea,” says Jennifer Brown, MD, obesity medicine physician and expert at My Obesity Team. “Conversely, if patients try to space their dose out, the ‘food noise’ returns, and they find themselves eating more.”

When is the best time to take semaglutide?

It depends on whether you’re taking oral or injectable semaglutide. 

For injectable semaglutide, you don’t have to take it at the exact same time, as long as you’re injecting yourself on the same day each week. According to Supriya Rao, MD, gastroenterologist, director of medical weight loss at Lowell General Hospital, and clinical assistant professor at Tufts University School of Medicine, you can take your medication a few hours earlier or later than usual on your regular dosing day without risking any side effects or interfering with the therapeutic benefits of the drug. 

In other words, it’s a good idea to schedule a window of time in which to take your semaglutide (i.e., on Thursday mornings or Sunday evenings), but you don’t need to worry about being more precise than that. The most important thing with injectable semaglutide is consistency. Choose a time that fits your schedule and routine, and keep your medication’s storage instructions in mind, too. Semaglutide pens need to be refrigerated until first use. 

Timing for oral semaglutide (Rybelsus) is a bit different. Because it’s a daily medication, not a weekly one, you should try to take it around the same time each day. Dr. Rao advises taking it with up to 4 ounces (oz) of water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before any food, drinks, or other medications. 

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The only other factor to consider when choosing an injection day is how it makes you feel. Some people have nausea the day following their shot, according to Dr. Brown, so they may prefer taking it on the weekend when they can stay home rather than during their work week. 

Can you change your semaglutide injection day?

Yes, you can change your semaglutide injection day if you need to, like if your daily schedule is changing and you won’t have consistent access to a refrigerator on your injection day. However, there are a few things to keep in mind before you switch.

You should never take back-to-back doses of semaglutide. Dr. Rao says you need to wait at least 48 hours between doses. For example, if you normally inject your semaglutide on Mondays but need to change it to Wednesdays, you could take your normal dose on Monday and then dose again on Wednesday. After that, take your next weekly dose on the following Wednesday, sticking with your new injection day going forward. 

If you wanted to move your injection day for Ozempic or Wegovy earlier in the week, you can take your weekly dose sooner than normal (as long as it’s been at least 48 hours since your last dose). For example, if you normally inject on Thursdays but want to change it to Mondays, you could just take your dose on the Monday following your previous Thursday injection because there would be enough time in between. You can always check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you need help changing your injection day.

What if you miss a dose of semaglutide?

It depends on how long it’s been since your last dose. Dr. Rao says if it’s been less than five days since you last took semaglutide, you can take it as soon as you remember and then resume your regular schedule from there. Even if your next scheduled dose is two days later, that’s okay—remember that you only need a minimum of 48 hours between doses.

However, if it’s been more than five days since your last dose, you should skip your missed dose and wait for your next scheduled dose. Otherwise, you risk taking too many doses too close together. 

You also shouldn’t try to “make up” your skipped dose by taking two doses at once. Dr. Rao says semaglutide has a long half-life, which means it stays in your system for a long time, so taking too much close together increases your risk of side effects like nausea, vomiting, and low blood sugar.

Bottom line

Semaglutide is available as an injectable or oral medication. If you’re taking weekly injections of semaglutide, you should inject yourself on the same day every week for consistent benefits, but you have some flexibility with the specific time of day. Oral semaglutide, however, should be taken at about the same time every day: first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, with up to 4 oz of water. It’s relatively easy to switch your semaglutide injection day or catch up with any missed doses, but it’s important to always leave at least 48 hours in between doses and never double up on your medication. Taking too much semaglutide at once increases your risk for side effects like nausea and low blood sugar.