Can I Pause GLP-1 Weight Loss Injections Over Christmas?

For many people, Christmas is a time of festive feasts and indulgence. It’s the season to eat, drink and be merry after all. So it’s not uncommon for patients to want to pause their GLP-1 weight loss injections, like Mounjaro or Wegovy, over the holidays.

But stopping and restarting your medication comes with risks – and some of them can be serious.

To help you stay safe on your weight loss journey and enjoy the festive season, this article explains why pausing and restarting GLP-1 weight loss jabs isn’t the best idea – and what you should do instead.

Why Continue Taking GLP-1s Over Christmas?

One of the benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists is that they reduce your appetite and can quieten constant mental chatter about food (sometimes called “food noise”).

So the good news is, you can enjoy favourite treats in moderation and celebrate Christmas and New Year without being preoccupied with food and weight regain.

If you stop taking GLP-1s over Christmas, the effects may decrease. Your previous hunger levels will likely return over the festive season and food noise could also get louder again. This might make it harder to stay on track over the holidays.

Remember that GLP-1s are not a “quick fix” to lose weight rapidly. The goal is to establish exercise and healthy eating habits to support long-term weight management – even after you stop using them. Being consistent is key.

Can I Pause GLP-1s Over the Festive Season?

We’d strongly advise against pausing your medication over the holidays.

If you have stopped taking your GLP-1 weight loss pen for a period, it’s likely you’ll need to resume on a lower dose. So please let us, or your healthcare provider, know if this is the case.

When you stop using GLP-1 weight loss injections, like Wegovy and Mounjaro, the level of medication in your body drops. So, if you resume the medication at the same dose after a period of not using it, it could be too high for your system. 

“Taking an extended break over the holidays means that the majority of the drug will have left your system and your dose tolerance will decrease,” explains Richard Wood, a pharmacist at Simple Online Pharmacy.

“This will make it less safe for you to start back in the dose you built up to. By taking an extended break over December you increase your chance of side effects when you start back treatment. Sometimes these side effects can be severe and can include pancreatitis.”

Pancreatitis is when the pancreas becomes inflamed. Acute pancreatitis requires urgent medical attention and can cause complications.

The pen you’re using might not be safe to use if you pause and restart treatment. Opened pens only last for a set amount of time, and this can vary depending on the medicine and pen type.

For Wegovy, follow the storage and discard instructions for your specific pen. The Wegovy 7.2mg single-use pen can be stored outside the fridge at temperatures not above 30°C for up to 28 days. The 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg, 1.7mg and 2.4mg pens can be stored outside the fridge for up to 42 days. You should discard your pen if it has been exposed to light, temperatures above 30°C, or if it has been out of the fridge for more than 28 or 42 days.

If you’re using the pen correctly and following the directions of your prescriber, your pen should be safe to use.

Can I Change the Day I Inject?

It may be safe to change your weekly injection day. For example, if your injection day falls on Christmas Day, you could take it the following day.

However, you’ll need to make sure you don’t take two doses of Mounjaro within three days (72 hours). For Wegovy, don’t take two doses within two days (48 hours).

I’ve Missed My Dose: What Should I Do?

If you’ve missed your dose, you’ll need to follow the manufacturer’s guidance for the treatment you’re using:

• For Mounjaro: Take within four days of the missed dose. If it’s been more than four days, the manufacturer advises you to skip the dose and take your next scheduled dose on your usual injection day.
• For Wegovy: Take within five days of the missed dose. If it’s been more than five days, take your next scheduled dose on your usual injection day. If it’s been more than 14 days since your last dose, the manufacturer advises you to talk to your provider about how to restart your treatment.

If you’ve missed your dose, don’t “double up” treatment. Leave a gap of at least three days (72 hours) between Mounjaro doses. For Wegovy, leave a gap of at least two days (48 hours).

Restarting Treatment Safely

Tell your healthcare provider if it has been more than three weeks since your last dose.

If you’ve had a break in treatment on Wegovy or Mounjaro, you may need to restart at a lower dose. This will help you prevent a bad reaction when you start again. Your provider will advise on the best dose for you.

Missed and Skipped Doses: At a Glance

What to Do Instead of Pausing: Tips for Managing Christmas and New Year on GLP-1s

Instead of pausing your GLP-1 weight loss injections over the festive period, stick to your dosing schedule as normal.

If you’re worried about side effects coinciding with Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve, there are ways to manage them. You can still enjoy Christmas on GLP-1s, but preparation is key to success.

This article helps you navigate the festive season on weight loss jabs. Get tips to help you stay on track, including how to manage common side effects and how to balance nutritious food and festive treats.

Make Small Nutritional Tweaks

You don’t have to give up the foods you love when you’re on GLP-1 weight loss treatment. Making a few changes to what – and how – you eat can make a big difference:

• Enjoy smaller portions throughout the day, so you don’t feel overstuffed and uncomfortable. Avoid “saving up” for one big meal.
• Eat slowly. This can also help you reduce bloating and stomach discomfort.
• Make small changes to your festive favourites. Christmas dinner is packed with nutrients (think Brussels sprouts, lean protein and healthy fats). Here’s how you can build a healthier version of your classic roast dinner (with just a few tweaks).

• Drink plenty of fluids!
• Eat what you love – and leave the rest. You don’t have to eat something just because it’s tradition. Eat the foods you really want to eat and skip the rest.

Inject Your Dose in the Evening

Many patients prefer to inject their dose in the evening, so they’re relaxed, home and comfortable. And if you experience side effects after your injection, you may find you’re able to sleep through them when they’re at their worst.

Stay on the Same Dose

Many patients find the side effects (like nausea and vomiting) get worse after they increase their dose. So, if you’re due a dose increase around Christmas time, you might want to wait until after the holidays.

Limit Alcohol to Avoid Making Side Effects Worse

If you’re taking Mounjaro or Wegovy, you can still drink alcohol. However, we’d recommend limiting it to avoid making side effects worse.

“How you react to alcohol may change too,” Richard explains. “You may experience the negative effects of alcohol much earlier than before and your hangovers may be worse. You need to relearn your limits. So either avoid or minimise your intake until you know how you will react.”

If you do choose to drink alcohol, try not to drink on an empty stomach. Make sure you drink enough water too, as alcohol is a diuretic – it causes the body to get rid of excess fluid and salt.

It might be the case that you don’t want to drink alcohol on Mounjaro or Wegovy in the first place. According to recent research, GLP-1s can reduce cravings and the desire to drink. This is a great opportunity to replace an alcoholic drink with something hydrating and lighter on your stomach – leaving you feeling energised for the evening ahead.

Talk to Your Healthcare Provider For Support

Get in touch with your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about how and when to take your dose over the festive season.

If you’re a patient with us, remember we’re here to support you every step of the way. So please talk to us if you have any questions about your weight loss medication and when to take it. Call us on 0141 774 5023.

We will have less support available on Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. For anything urgent, contact out-of-hours health services, like NHS 111. We’d recommend checking the festive opening hours of your local GP practices and pharmacies ahead of time too.

Key Takeaways

• Don’t pause and restart unless you’ve been advised to: Stopping your GLP-1 and restarting at the same dose after a break may be unsafe. It could increase the risk of serious side effects (including pancreatitis). If you’ve stopped, tell your prescriber as you may need to restart on a lower dose.
• Be mindful of pen safety and shelf life: Opened pens only last for a set time, and this can vary depending on the medicine and pen type. Always follow the instructions for the specific pen you have. The Wegovy 7.2mg single-use pen can be stored outside the fridge at temperatures not above 30°C for up to 28 days and should be discarded after this time, or sooner if exposed to light or temperatures above 30°C. Other Wegovy pens (0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg, 1.7mg and 2.4mg) can be stored outside the fridge at temperatures not above 30°C for up to 42 days.
• Stopping can make Christmas harder, not easier: If you pause treatment, hunger and “food noise” can return. This may make it tougher to stay consistent with your goals over the festive period and lead to weight gain.
• A one-off shift of your injection day may be fine: Manufacturers advise you to leave a minimum of 72 hours between Mounjaro doses and 48 hours for Wegovy. If you miss a dose, follow the manufacturers’ missed-dose guidance.
  Stick to your routine and reduce side effects with simple habits: Keep your usual dosing schedule where possible, consider injecting in the evening, eat smaller portions, drink plenty of water, and limit alcohol to avoid worsening side effects. If you need support, speak to your healthcare provider, or call 0141 774 5023.

References

Alcohol (contained in alcoholic beverages) and Wegovy Interactions. [online] Drugs.com. Available at: https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/alcohol-contained-in-alcoholic-beverages-with-wegovy-1034-14582-3878-19763.html [Accessed 10 Dec. 2024].

National Cancer Institute (2011). [online] www.cancer.gov. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/diuretic.

Quddos, F., Hubshman, Z., Tegge, A.N., Sane, D.C., Martı́E., Kablinger, A.S., Gatchalian, K.M., Kelly, A.L., DiFeliceantonio, A.G. and Bickel, W.K. (2023). Semaglutide and Tirzepatide reduce alcohol consumption in individuals with obesity. Scientific Reports, 13(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-48267-2.

Authorship

Authored by Isabel Finch

Content Manager
Isabel Finch is the Content Manager at Simple Online Pharmacy, joining the team in August 2024. She started her career as a pharmacy journalist in 2018 and has since worked as a content writer and editor for a number of publications and brands. Her goal is to simplify healthcare and make sure advice is as clear and accessible as possible.

Medically Reviewed by Richard Wood

Pharmacist / Clinical Specialist
GPhC reg: 2078802
Richard is a pharmacist and content reviewer at Simple Online Pharmacy. He officially joined the team in 2024 after several years of working with the company as a contractor. Prior to that, he spent over 11 years as a community pharmacist, building a strong foundation in patient care.