Effective weight loss is one that occurs over an extended period of time and usually includes proper equipment and medication in hopes that it is effective in the long term. Wegovy in Scottsdale, a weight loss prescription, has crossed the minds of many people who need to lose an amount of weight. What occurs, however, if you miss a dose of Wegovy? Is it ever acceptable to miss a week of Wegovy, or do you pay the price of a week off?
In this article, we answer, ‘what happens if I skip a week of Wegovy?’, why you might miss a dose, and how imperative it is that you speak with a medical professional.
Understanding Wegovy and Its Use
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a weekly, injectable, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) medication for chronic weight management. Wegovy is a synthetic version of an endogenous hormone, GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), which is normally a component of how much food is eaten and hunger. With this in mind, Wegovy slows stomach emptying into the small intestine and acts on areas of the brain that regulate hunger. It also makes a person full earlier and longer, and reduces the number of calories consumed, which can lead to weight loss that is sustained.
Wegovy will be most effective if taken as directed on a regular schedule. Dosing is designed to maintain therapeutic levels of the drug in the body for optimal effect. Real life has a way of getting in the way at times, however, and people will miss or intentionally skip a week.
Why Would an Individual Skip a Dose?
There are several reasons why one would not take a dose of Wegovy. Most likely, perhaps, is mere human forgetfulness. For example, forgetting to make an appointment for an injection or losing the medication. Travel will also disrupt a dosing schedule, especially if the medication is to be refrigerated and at specific settings.
Side effects like nausea, fatigue, or stomach pain will cause some to skip a dose. Others will skip a dose because it costs too much or because their prescription was small, and they had to wait to get it filled. Whatever the reason, it is helpful to review the risks. What happens if I miss a week of Wegovy?
Consequences of a Wegovy Absence
Missing a week of Wegovy is not the apocalypse, but it will affect your weight loss, as well as your overall treatment. Due to the nature of how Wegovy has been designed to function, it needs consistent levels of the drug in your system in order to function as it should. Missing a week will disrupt this consistency and result in less effect in terms of hunger and appetite suppression.
For individuals new to the use of Wegovy, missing a dose will also predispose them to side effects when the cycle is resumed. The body will also take time to adjust to semaglutide, and missing a dose may cause the adaptation to take longer.
There is even a psychological element. One skipped dose can ignite a sense of guilt or derailment that can affect motivation and compliance in the future with weight control. Consistency is an element so vital to health outcomes, and even slight delays have multiplier effects on long-term outcomes. Can you skip a week of Wegovy? It’s important to consider these factors.
Trust Your Healthcare Providers’ Advice
If you missed a dose of Wegovy or are thinking about skipping a week of Wegovy, the best thing you can do is talk to your medical weight loss center. Health care providers who are weight loss experts can tell you what is best for you, if you should stay on treatment, or if you should change your regimen. Your personal history, how much weight you have lost up until this moment, and your own dosing regimen will all factor into what advice you receive.
Health care professionals also are able to fix any issues that caused the missed dose, such as discussing side effect control, timely refill of prescription, or providing instructions on how to package the drug while on the go. Their services get your treatment back in line with your condition and objectives.
Stay on Track for Long-Term Results
Missing a week of Wegovy is suboptimal but not a long-term detour. If you’re aware of the potential effect and receive early treatment from a medical doctor, you can minimize setbacks and continue with your progress. Remember, your weight loss is a marathon and not a sprint, and consistency and medical treatment are what will carry you through.