How to have a merry Christmas on Mounjaro: Experts reveal what really happens when you skip doses – as people as people debate stopping their jabs to eat and drink their way through party season_Nhy
So much of the joy of Christmas is eating and drinking with wild abandon and dealing with the consequences for your waistline in January, but this year a growing number of people are experience a serious obstacle to their festive feasting.
People around the UK who are taking weight-loss drugs that suppress the appetite, such as Mounjaro, fear they won’t be able to enjoy a ‘normal’ Christmas because they simply can’t eat or drink much without feeling uncomfortably full.
It’s prompted a debate on social media about whether it’s a good idea to skip or move a scheduled weekly injection in order to be hungry enough to enjoy the party season.
Weight loss influencers offering advice on TikTok talk about ‘personal choice’ and ‘doing what’s right for you’, along with reassurances that a tweak to your schedule will not stop you from reaching your weight loss goals.
However, experts have warned that while there is some flexibility with when to have your jab, playing around with the schedule could indeed have longer-term consequences.
Speaking to MailOnline Dr Matt Vickers, Clinical Director at Juniper which provides GLP1s such as Mounjaro alongside health coaching, stressed that ‘consistency in dosing is crucial for the medication to work effectively.
It comes amid news this week that millions of people will be denied the ‘King Kong’ of weight-loss jabs despite the NHS being given the green light to prescribe it.
Fewer than one in ten patients who meet the criteria for Mounjaro will be given it by the health service over the next three years, the drugs regulator has confirmed.
TikTok influencer Karlie revealed that she won’t be able to enjoy her favourite festive Ferrero Rocher this year because she’s using the weight-loss pen
In a blow to Labour’s health plans, National Institute of health and Care Excellence (Nice) said only 220,000 of the 3.4million eligible patients will be given the drug as part of the initial rollout.
For those who are taking Mounjaro already, thanks to a private prescription, we reveal what the real consequences are for your weight loss goals if you change up your doses over Christmas.
Should you change the time of your dose?
If you miss a dose of your weight-loss medication, you can take it up to 96 hours later, but Dr Vickers said that this is a back-up plan and not a long-term strategy.
‘The medication helps with weight management and appetite control by regulating your body’s response to hunger,’ he said. ‘Skipping or rescheduling doses frequently could lead to less consistent results and potential disruptions in the treatment’s effectiveness.
‘Additionally, while there’s some leeway if you miss a dose within the 96-hour window, constantly altering your schedule could cause fluctuations in your response to the medication, leading to more side effects or an inconsistent appetite response.
‘Taking more than the prescribed amount to make up for a missed dose is also risky, as it can lead to unwanted side effects or adverse reactions.
Will you be hungry if you skip a dose?
If you were due to have a jab on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, but decide to delay it, there’s no guarantee you will be extra hungry.
‘Your body may have adjusted to smaller portion sizes and a lower appetite overall, independent of the medication’s immediate effects,’ Dr Vickers explained.
Danielle joined the debate over dosing, which is a hot topic of conversation in the run up to Christmas Day
How to enjoy a merry Christmas on Mounjaro – without skipping doses
Be Mindful of Your Body’s Signals: GLP-1 medications help regulate appetite, so take advantage of that by tuning into your body’s natural cues. Listen for signs of fullness and stop eating when you’re satisfied, not stuffed.
Plan Ahead: If you know there will be temptations, plan your meals ahead of time. Try to make healthier choices at earlier meals during the day, so you feel less pressure to indulge later. This will allow you to enjoy festive treats without feeling like you’ve strayed too far from your program.
Stay Active: Incorporating light physical activity into your holiday routine can help keep you feeling balanced and aligned with your health goals. A walk after a festive meal or a fun activity with family and friends can keep your energy levels up and your focus on overall well-being.
Allow Flexibility: While it’s important to stick to your medication and eating habits, it’s also okay to give yourself a little grace during special occasions. A day or two of indulgence won’t derail your progress if you stay committed to your overall goals. It’s about striking a balance and not letting guilt take away from the joy of the season.
‘Even without taking your dose, your stomach may no longer be accustomed to large portions, and you could still feel full or uncomfortable if you try to eat more than usual.
‘Ultimately, skipping a dose is unlikely to bring about the desired change in appetite, and your body’s long-term adjustments to the medication may still limit your capacity to eat large portions.’
What are the potential side effects?
While there is a window for taking a dose late, if you’ve tweaked the schedule constantly throughout December your body may have trouble adjusting when you resume your regime in the New Year.
‘Constantly adjusting the dose might lead to the return of initial side effects when you restart the medication, especially if those side effects were severe in the beginning,’ Dr Vickers explained.
‘This could include gastrointestinal issues like nausea or stomach discomfort. Also stopping the medication and then resuming it could require adjustments to the dosing schedule, which is best done under the guidance of a healthcare provider to avoid complications.
‘The line should be drawn at ensuring consistency with the prescribed dosage, as altering it without professional guidance can lead to unpredictable effects, both in terms of side effects and weight loss outcomes.
‘While some might argue that it’s an “individual choice,” the safest and most effective approach is to follow the schedule laid out by your doctor or weight loss provider, allowing you to enjoy the festive season while minimising the risk of setbacks.’
Mounjaro users have taken to TikTok to debate the merits of not having a jab so that they can enjoy a Christmas feast
Is there a mental impact to consider?
‘If the mindset around these medications is that they can be “paused” or “adjusted” based on convenience, it could undermine the process of building lasting habits that will support weight loss even after you stop using the medication,’ said Dr Vickers.
He pointed out that those using the drugs should be taking a ‘holistic approach’, by developing healthier eating and exercise habits in tandem.
‘Approaching GLP-1 medications as a tool in a broader lifestyle transformation is more likely to lead to lasting success,’ he said.
‘When used as part of a bigger picture that includes sustainable changes in eating patterns and attitudes towards food, the medications can offer support, but they shouldn’t be viewed as a quick-fix solution or something to rely on sporadically.
‘Treating them as part of a holistic approach encourages consistency, better results, and a healthier relationship with food.’
