Weight Loss
Missed or Late Dose of the Wegovy Pill: What to Do
In one sentence
If you miss a dose of the Wegovy pill, skip the missed dose completely and take your next dose as normal the following morning; never take two tablets in one day.
At a glance
If you miss a dose, skip it. Do not take it later in the day.
Take your next dose as normal the following morning.
Never take two tablets in one day to make up for a missed one.
The Wegovy pill is a once-daily tablet, taken on an empty stomach.
If you miss several doses in a row, speak to your prescriber before restarting.
Forgetting a tablet now and then happens to everyone. The good news is that the rule for a missed Wegovy pill is simple and safe. Here is exactly what to do, and what not to do.
Key takeaways
What should you do if you miss a dose? Skip the missed dose and take your next one as normal the following day.
Can you take it later the same day? No. Because it needs an empty stomach and a set routine, the advice is simply to skip it.
Can you take two the next day? No. Never take two tablets in one day to catch up.
What if you miss several days? Speak to your prescriber before restarting, as your dose may need to be adjusted.
What should you do if you miss a dose of the Wegovy pill?
If you miss a dose of the Wegovy pill, skip it and take your next dose at the usual time the following day. This is the official guidance in the medicine's approved instructions.1 Missing a single dose is unlikely to affect your progress.
Can you take the Wegovy pill later in the day if you forget?
No. Unlike some tablets, you should not simply take it later that day. The Wegovy pill has to be taken on an empty stomach after fasting, with a 30-minute wait before food or drink, so taking it once you have eaten would not work well. If you forget your morning dose, the safest option is to skip that day and carry on as normal the next morning. See how to take the Wegovy pill correctly.
Can you take two Wegovy pills to make up a missed dose?
No. You should only ever take one tablet a day. Taking two tablets in one day to make up for a missed dose is not recommended and increases the risk of side effects such as nausea.1
"One missed tablet will not undo your progress, so there is no need to panic or double up. Just skip it and pick things back up the next morning. Doubling the dose is the one thing to avoid, because it usually means a rough day of nausea for no benefit."
What if you miss several doses in a row?
If you miss more than a few days in a row, do not simply restart at your usual dose. Speak to your prescriber or pharmacist first, because your body can lose some of its tolerance to the medicine during a break, and you may need to step the dose back down to avoid side effects. Your prescriber can advise on the safest way to restart. You can review the Wegovy pill dosage and titration schedule for context.
"If life gets in the way and you have a longer gap, please do not just restart at the top dose. A quick message to your prescriber to step it back down saves you a miserable few days of nausea. A missed run of doses is not a failure, it is easily sorted."
How to avoid missing a dose
Because the Wegovy pill is taken every day, building a firm routine makes a big difference:
Take it at the same time each morning, as soon as you wake up.
Keep the pack by your bed with a small glass of water ready.
Set a daily phone reminder until it becomes a habit.
Reorder in good time so you do not run out.
If you are considering treatment, our clinicians can assess whether the Wegovy pill is right for you through an online weight-loss consultation.
Related Wegovy pill guides
Frequently asked questions about a missed Wegovy pill dose
What happens if you forget to take your Wegovy pill?
Nothing serious happens if you forget one dose. Simply skip it and take your next dose the following morning. One missed tablet is unlikely to affect your weight loss or how the medicine works.
Can you take the Wegovy pill at a different time if you miss the morning?
No. It needs an empty stomach and a 30-minute gap before eating, so taking it later in the day after food would not work properly. If you miss your morning dose, skip it and take the next one the following morning.
Does missing a dose stop the Wegovy pill working?
Missing the occasional dose will not stop the medicine from working. Taking it consistently gives the best results, but a single missed tablet now and then makes little difference. Just get back to your routine the next day.
What if you miss a whole week of the Wegovy pill?
If you miss several days or more, speak to your prescriber before restarting. You may have lost some tolerance to the medicine, so your dose might need to be reduced and built back up to avoid side effects.
Is it bad to take two Wegovy pills in one day?
Yes, you should avoid this. You should only take one tablet a day. Taking two to make up for a missed dose is not recommended and is likely to cause nausea and other stomach side effects.
Sources and references
electronic medicines compendium (emc). Wegovy tablets: Summary of Product Characteristics. States that if a dose is missed, it should be skipped and the next dose taken the following day, and that only one tablet should be taken per day.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general information and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Always read the patient information leaflet and follow the instructions from your prescriber or pharmacist. If you have questions about your health, contact your GP or call NHS 111.
Our commitment to accuracy: This page reflects the approved product information and current UK guidance from sources such as the emc, NHS, NICE and the MHRA. It is reviewed by our Superintendent Pharmacist and updated as guidance changes.
About the author
Blog author
Dayna Sheppard
Dayna is a pharmacy manager with over 15 years of pharmacy experience. She is focused on delivering a safe and excellent pharmacy service for patients.
Medically reviewed by
Medical reviewer
Taslima Hussain
Taslima is a pharmacist who is passionate about patient care. She has experience working in community pharmacy as a locum.
