Missed a GLP-1 Dose? Here’s How to Get Back on Track

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are a growing class of medications. They’ve been an effective choice for Type 2 diabetes and weight loss. And the list of conditions they’re used to treat keeps expanding. That list now includes health issues like obstructive sleep apnea and kidney disease.

Most GLP-1s come as injections, but a few GLP-1 pills are available, too. The directions for using GLP-1s vary between products and forms. But one thing is clear: Taking your doses on time is key to these medications working well.

So what happens if you’ve missed a GLP-1 dose? Should you take the dose as soon as you remember? Or is it better to skip it and wait until the next one?

What should you do if you miss a once-weekly GLP-1 injection?

Many GLP-1 receptor agonists come as once-weekly injections, including:

• Ozempic (semaglutide)

• Wegovy (semaglutide)

• Trulicity (dulaglutide)

• Mounjaro (tirzepatide), which is also a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist

• Zepbound (tirzepatide), which is also a GIP receptor agonist

The best way to handle missing a once-weekly GLP-1 dose varies between products. The table below highlights what to do if you miss a dose of each available option.

If you miss 2 or more once-weekly GLP-1 doses in a row, contact your prescriber. You may need to temporarily lower your dosage for several weeks in order to manage side effects.

What should you do if you miss a GLP-1 pill?

There are a few once-daily GLP-1 pills available at the moment:

• Wegovy pills

• Ozempic pills

• Rybelsus (semaglutide) pills

• Foundayo (orforglipron) pills

If you miss a dose of any of the semaglutide pills, you should skip the missed dose. Then, take your next dose at its usual time. Don’t take more than 1 tablet in a 24-hour period.

If you miss a dose of Foundayo, take it as soon as you remember. Then return to your normal schedule for the next dose. Don’t take two doses in the same day. If you miss 7 or more Foundayo doses in a row contact your prescriber. You’ll likely have to lower your current dose and slowly raise it again to avoid digestive side effects.

What should you do if you miss a once-daily GLP-1 injection?

There are two once-daily GLP-1 injections currently available:

• Victoza (liraglutide)

• Saxenda (liraglutide)

If you miss a dose of a once-daily GLP-1 injection, skip it. Then, inject your next dose at its usual time. Don’t inject more than 1 dose within a 24-hour period.

If you miss 3 or more doses in a row, contact your prescriber. You may need to lower your dosage for several days before returning to your usual dosage.

What should you do if you miss a twice-daily GLP-1 injection?

Byetta (exenatide) is the only twice-daily GLP-1 injection currently available in the U.S. If you miss a dose of Byetta, skip it. Then, take your next dose at its usual time. Don’t double up or take extra doses to make up for the missed one.

Don’t take 2 doses of Byetta within 6 hours of each other. And make sure you inject the medication within 1 hour of eating breakfast and dinner. Don’t inject doses after you eat.

How to prevent missing GLP-1 doses

Remembering to take medications can be difficult, especially if you’re not taking them every day. Here are some pharmacist-backed tips to help you remember your GLP-1 doses:

• If you have a smartphone, use an app to remind you. Many medication reminder apps, such as the GoodRx Medicine Cabinet, are free to download.

• Set an alarm to remind yourself. There are many ways to do this, such as setting an alarm on your phone or computer.

• Inject or take your GLP-1 doses around other daily activities, like before you eat breakfast. This helps establish a routine around administering your medication, making it easier to remember. Just remember to double check how to take oral GLP-1 pills, as some of them have specific instructions to follow to ensure you get your full dose.

• Mark your doses on a calendar. This could be a physical or digital calendar.

• Use a journal. You could create a journal using any blank notebook. Or there are medication journals available that are designed to help people to track their doses.

• Keep your GLP-1 in its original container, where you can see it. All GLP-1 medications can be stored in their original containers at room temperature. Although, some injectable GLP-1s may need to be kept in the fridge until you start using them. So check the storage instructions for your product.

• Ask a friend or loved one to help you remember. This trusted person could help provide gentle reminders to keep you on track.

Good to know: While it may seem like a helpful solution, you shouldn’t use pill boxes to store GLP-1 pills. Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Foundayo tablets must be stored in their original containers. Keeping them in pill boxes or similar reminder containers can expose the tablets to moisture and make them less effective.

How to save on GLP-1 medications

There are ways to save on GLP-1 medications. GoodRx can help you navigate your options, including GoodRx discounts, copay savings cards, and patient assistance programs. By searching your medication’s name on GoodRx’s homepage, you can find details for all the savings opportunities available for it.

If you’re new to using GoodRx for semaglutide savings, you can pay an introductory price for the first two fills of $199 per month for Ozempic or Wegovy injections, or $149 for Wegovy pills (only available for certain doses). After that, most ongoing fills are $299 or $349 per month, depending on the medication and dose.

You can access Foundayo through GoodRx starting at $149 per month. You can also access Zepbound KwikPens through GoodRx starting at $299 per month.

What's more, subscribers to GoodRx for Weight Loss can also access FDA-approved, brand-name GLP-1 medications like Wegovy, Zepbound, or Foundayo.

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Written by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

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