Clinicians have issued advice for how to deal with the change
After dropping their dosage over the Christmas period for a spot of festive indulgence, thousands of people are restarting their weight loss medication, and clinicians are warning of stronger side effects.
It comes after CheqUp research found nearly two thirds of GLP-1 users who reduced their dose planned to wait until after New Year before returning to their usual regime. Appetite, digestion and glucose control can all be affected when treatment is stopped suddenly, particularly at a time of higher carbohydrate and sugar intake, and clinicians warn that stop-start approaches can increase the risk of rebound symptoms and side effects. Aaron Arman, Superintendent Pharmacist at CheqUp, said: “Unless there is a clear clinical reason, we would always advise against stopping GLP-1 treatment abruptly, as doing so can lead to rebound high blood sugar and rapid weight regain. Patients may also underestimate how disruptive a stop-start approach can be to long-term treatment goals. “These medicines work by regulating appetite, digestion and glucose control, so suddenly stopping them removes those protective effects and can make it harder to re-establish healthy routines. Patients who pause their medication may also experience stronger side effects when restarting, as the body needs time to adjust to the medication again.” Aaron has advice for patients restarting their weight loss medication in the New Year: Do not double up on doses If you miss a dose, never take extra to “catch up”. These medicines build up in your system over time, so taking more will not speed up weight loss but will increase the risk of side effects. Check your pen before you use it again Before restarting, make sure your pen has been stored correctly in the fridge . Check the liquid looks clear and free from bits. If it looks cloudy, discoloured or contains particles, do not use it and order a new pen instead. If you are on Wegovy If you have missed one or two doses and it has been less than five days since your last scheduled injection, you can usually take your dose as soon as you remember and then go back to your normal weekly day. If more than five days have passed, skip the missed dose and wait until your next scheduled injection. If you are on Mounjaro If you have missed one or two doses and it is within four days of when you were due to inject, you can usually take the dose as soon as possible and then return to your usual weekly schedule. If more than four days have passed, skip the missed dose and wait for your next regular injection day. Speak to a clinician if you have missed several weeks If you have missed three doses or more, contact your prescribing clinician before restarting. They may advise you to restart on a lower dose or adjust your plan to reduce the risk of side effects. Report side effects when you restart If you notice side effects after restarting – especially if they feel stronger than when you first began treatment – get in touch with your prescribing clinician for advice on how to manage them safely.
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