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What should you do if your next dose of Wegovy is out of stock?
Overwhelming demand for Wegovy weight loss pens has meant that the manufacturers (Novo Nordisk) have faced supply shortages in the past. While it’s unclear if this will happen again, future supply issues could mean we run out of stock when your next dose is due.
We understand the importance of sticking to your dosage schedule when using weight loss medications, so what are your options if you can’t get what you need?
Medically reviewed by
Craig Marsh, Independent Prescriber
- Wegovy is in high demand, which means occasionally it might not be in stock.
- There are alternative weight loss treatments if Wegovy is unavailable.
- It’s important to stick to your dosage routine when using Wegovy.
- If you switch to a new treatment, you’ll start on the lowest dose.
The first thing to do is sign up to be notified when Wegovy becomes available again. We’ll let you know as soon as we have it in.
If it’s unavailable, our clinicians can recommend remaining on your current dose or dropping back one dose. In some cases, they might suggest switching to an alternative treatment so you can continue your weight loss journey. If you do switch this would mean starting on the lowest dose of a new medication after a four-week break from Wegovy, as weight loss medications aren’t interchangeable. We’ll discuss this with you before you switch to a different treatment.
We understand that a disruption to your dosage schedule isn’t ideal. It’s essential you take weight loss medications in the right way so they can work effectively. Missing a dose of Wegovy could cause unwanted side effects, so you’ll want to avoid any gaps in your treatment plan where possible.
If Wegovy is out of stock, we’ll do everything we can to keep things on track until we have it available again.
What is the Wegovy dose schedule?
Like all medications, Wegovy will work most effectively when taken as it is intended. The dose schedule is simple — the pens arrive pre-filled, and you inject the medication under your skin once a week.
Wegovy can be injected with or without food, but ideally you should aim to use your pen every seven days at about the same time of day. The pens need to be refrigerated (between 2℃ and 8℃) as soon as they arrive, but once opened, will work at room temperature for 28 days.
Each pen lasts for a month, and there are five strengths available. You’ll start on the lowest dose, 0.25mg, and then gradually work your way up through the doses — 0.5mg, 1mg, 1.7mg and 2.4mg. The 2.4mg pen is the maximum ‘maintenance’ dose, which you’ll remain on for as long as you use Wegovy. Some people find that they don’t tolerate the higher doses and get effective results at lower doses, it’s fine to continue on a lower dose however all the clinical trials so far have been done using a 2.4mg maintenance dose. As well as using the injections, you’ll need to eat a reduced-calorie diet, and increase your activity levels in order to continue losing weight.
Stay in control of your dosing schedule by speaking to a clinician. If you’re not ready to move onto the next pen, you don’t have to. You know your own body and you know what works best for you, so the rate people change doses can differ person-to-person.
If a disruption in availability means Wegovy is out of stock, then sticking to your normal routine might be out of your hands. You need to maintain a consistent level of semaglutide in your body in order for it to continue suppressing your appetite and controlling your blood sugar. If you can’t order your usual dose, our clinical team will help you find a solution.
If a lower dose pen is available, you might be able to drop down to using this until your regular dose is in stock. If no Wegovy pens are available, we can discuss your options for starting a different medication so you can continue towards your target weight.
What to do if you miss a dose of Wegovy
You should aim to use your Wegovy pen at the same time each week. It might be helpful to choose a set day and time for taking your injection, or you could set reminders on your calendar. Unlike daily treatments like Saxenda, Wegovy only needs to be used once a week. This should mean there’s less chance of missing a dose, but mistakes can happen.
If you forget to use Wegovy on your usual day, you can take your dose as soon as you remember unless it’s been more than five days since your last one. In this case, you’ll need to skip the missed injection and carry on with your normal routine.
If you miss doses for any longer than two weeks, let a clinician know as it could mean you need to restart Wegovy treatment on the lowest strength pen.
What are the alternatives to Wegovy if it’s out of stock?
If Wegovy is out of stock, you can try another weight loss medication. There are lots of treatments that can help. Our clinicians can suggest some suitable options for you, and are always happy to discuss how they work compared to your usual medication.
If you want to continue using injectable pens, there are several options, but you should leave a gap of four weeks after your last Wegovy injection before starting another injectable weight loss medication. Saxenda is one option you could try. It contains liraglutide, which works in a similar way to the active ingredient in Wegovy (semaglutide), by mimicking the effects of GLP-1. This hormone is responsible for controlling your blood sugar and regulating your appetite. Unlike Wegovy, Saxenda is taken daily. As well as being an effective weight loss medication, Saxenda is known to improve glycemic control. Because of this effect, liraglutide is also used to manage diabetes.
Mounjaro and Zepbound are two other weight loss injections that work in a similar way to Wegovy. If you want to try a different type of treatment, such as tablets, Orlistat and Alli are two options that work by reducing fat absorption. These might suit you better if you prefer swallowing tablets over using injectable pens.
Reference Popover #ref1
Treated trusted source
gov.uk (2023).
Accessing Wegovy for weight loss: Everything you need to know - Department of Health and Social Care Media Centre. healthmedia.blog.gov.uk.
Reference Popover #ref2
Treated trusted source
Mehta, A., Marso, S.P. and Neeland, I.J. (2016).
Liraglutide for weight management: a critical review of the evidence. Obesity Science & Practice, 3(1), pp.3–14.
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