How to Know When to Increase Your GLP-1 Dose: Semaglutide, Tirzepatize, Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound

How do you know when you should increase the dose of your GLP-1 medication? If you are taking semaglutide, tirzepatize, Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound, when do you go up on the dose? Prescribing medication and adjusting the dose is a decision between you as the patient and your healthcare provider. Here are some factors you and your healthcare provider should consider.

Factors to Consider for Increasing GLP-1 Dose: Semaglutide, Tirzepatize, Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound

• How nauseous are you? Many patients experience nausea on GLP-1 medication. Most patients have less nausea each subsequent week on any dose. Some patients feel well by week four on a dose, but some patients still experience a lot of nausea by that point. Giving it another 4 weeks can allow the nausea to subside more before increasing the dose.

• Are you constipated? Many patients have constipation while taking GLP-1's. In almost every case, constipation can be managed with attention to diet, supplements, and medication. If constipation is not well managed on a given dose, it is best to maintain that dose and get bowel regularity before increasing. Increasing without managing constipation often leads to worse constipation.

• Are you eating any protein? Eating enough protein, combined with physical activity, is key to good nutrition while taking a GLP-1 medication. Because these medications decrease appetite, without attention to nutrition, it is easy to get inadequate protein. It is a good idea to be eating enough protein before further decreasing appetite with a GLP-1.

• How much water are you drinking? Many people taking GLP-1's experience decreased thirst and drink less water. Inadequate fluid intake can worsen constipation and lead to dehydration. Because an increased dose can lead to further decrease in fluid intake and worse constipation, it is important to be able to consume enough fluids before increasing the dose.

• What are reasonable weight loss goals? Some providers increase dose every four weeks, while other providers prefer to wait until the patient's weight plateaus and then increase to the next dose. Both methods are reasonable. Sometimes the extent of excess weight or the severity of weight-related comorbidities can also play into the decision of how quickly to increase the dose. The dose can be titrated to the necessary level of appetite reduction to allow for appropriate weight loss.

Remember, there is no rush. The goal is your health, not just a number on the scale. Your whole health should be considered when increasing the dose of a GLP-1 like semaglutide, tirzepatize, Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound.