Why Can't I Restart My Weight Loss Medication at Full Dose After a Break?
You can restart weight loss (GLP-1) treatment at your current dose following a short gap in treatment. For example, less than 3 weeks from your last injected dose and if your BMI is still within the licensed range. Longer gaps or having a BMI below 25 can make restarting less likely. Even if you previously tolerated a higher dose well, you’ll usually need to begin again at the safe restart doses (typically 5mg for Mounjaro or 0.5mg for Wegovy). This helps reduce the risk of side effects and gives your body time to re-adjust. Dose increases, if appropriate, are usually spaced around 4 weeks apart. It is therefore important not to restart at a higher dose following a larger break. This is to prevent possible side effects including gallstones, pancreatitis, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
Will Reducing My Dose Mean the Medication Won't Work as Well?
While a reduced GLP-1 dose may be less effective for some, it does not mean the medication won't work at all. A lower dose can be planned to manage side effects or transition to a maintenance phase. The optimal dose is highly individual and determined by your body's response. Weight loss from GLP-1 type medications can be attained at any strength, especially if the patient is actively adjusting their diet/nutritional intake and consistent with their physical activity levels.
How Long Should I Expect Dose Reduction to Take After My Break?
Key factors that influence the titration speed of GLP-1 weight loss medications include a patient's tolerance to gastrointestinal side effects and their therapeutic response. Other elements like the specific medication, individual patient characteristics, and adherence also play significant roles. Once-weekly GLP-1's are typically titrated at intervals of four weeks or more to reach steady-state concentration. Typically patients will start at a low dose and progressively increase, following a break in treatment, to the maximum tolerated dose. This will be at intervals of every 4 weeks or as per the patient's tolerance and responsiveness to the medication with regards to weight loss.
Can I Skip Dose Reduction If I Only Had a Short Break?
You can restart weight loss (GLP-1) treatment at your current dose following a short gap in treatment, for example, less than 3 weeks from your last injected dose and if your BMI is still within the licensed range.
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