- Weekly dosing is flexible: You don't need to inject at the exact same time each week
- Same day, any time: Pick a consistent day of the week; the hour doesn't matter much
- Can shift by a day: If your schedule rotates, you can move injection day within the week
- Long half-life is forgiving: Semaglutide and tirzepatide stay in your system for days
- Set phone reminders: Most important thing is not forgetting entirely
The Good News: Weekly GLP-1s Are Forgiving
Unlike daily medications, weekly GLP-1 injections have long half-lives that make timing flexible:
| Medication | Half-Life | Timing Flexibility |
|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) | ~7 days | High—same day each week, any time |
| Tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound) | ~5 days | High—same day each week, any time |
| Dulaglutide (Trulicity) | ~5 days | High—same day each week, any time |
The long half-life means the medication maintains steady levels in your body throughout the week, regardless of whether you inject at 8 AM or 8 PM.
Choosing Your Injection Day
Pick a day that's most consistent in your schedule. For many shift workers, this might be a regular day off rather than trying to work around varying shift patterns. If you always have Sunday off, Sunday is your injection day—regardless of what shift you're working that week.
Strategy 1: Anchor to Days Off
- Choose a day you're typically not working
- Inject when you wake up or before bed—your preference
- Even if your "weekend" is Tuesday-Wednesday, that works
Strategy 2: Anchor to First Day of Work Cycle
- If you work 3 on/4 off or similar patterns, inject on your first work day
- Creates routine tied to your work rhythm
- Side effects (if any) can be predicted relative to your schedule
Rotating Schedules: Shifting Your Injection Day
For true rotating schedules (days→nights→days), you may need to shift your injection day occasionally.
You can change your injection day as long as it's been at least 48 hours since your last dose. If you normally inject Sunday but need to move to Tuesday, that's fine—just wait at least 2 days. Then Tuesday becomes your new regular day.
Example: Rotating Shift Schedule
| Week | Shift Pattern | Injection Day |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Mon-Wed days | Sunday (day off) |
| Week 2 | Thu-Sat nights | Sunday (still works) |
| Week 3 | Sun-Tue days | Move to Saturday (48+ hrs from last Sunday) |
| Week 4 | Wed-Fri nights | Saturday (new anchor day) |
Managing Side Effects Around Shifts
GI side effects (nausea, reduced appetite) are most common in the first 1-2 days after injection. Strategic timing can help:
- Inject before days off: If nausea occurs, you're not working through it
- Avoid injecting before critical shifts: Don't inject right before a 12-hour night shift if you're still titrating
- Night shift consideration: Some find injecting after their last night shift (before days off) works best
- Side effects decrease: After the first few weeks, timing matters less as your body adjusts
Eating Patterns for Shift Workers
Shift work already disrupts normal eating patterns. GLP-1s add another layer:
Night Shift Challenges
- Reduced appetite + night shift: May forget to eat entirely—set meal reminders
- Vending machine temptation: GLP-1s reduce cravings, but have healthy options accessible
- Break room food: Easier to resist when appetite is suppressed, but protein still needed
Protein Priority
Shift workers on GLP-1s should prioritize protein at every meal opportunity:
- Pack high-protein meals/snacks before each shift
- Greek yogurt, cheese, protein bars, deli meat, hard-boiled eggs
- Don't rely on finding protein in hospital/factory cafeterias
Storage for Shift Workers
If you inject at work or carry medication during long shifts:
- Refrigeration: GLP-1s should be refrigerated but can be at room temperature for limited time
- Semaglutide: Up to 56 days at room temp (below 86°F)
- Tirzepatide: Up to 21 days at room temp (below 86°F)
- Travel cooler: If your workplace is hot, use an insulated bag with ice pack
- Don't freeze: Freezing damages the medication
Specific Shift Patterns
12-Hour Shifts (3-4 Days/Week)
- Inject on one of your regular days off
- Easy to maintain consistency week-to-week
- If you work varying days, pick whichever day off is most consistent
Rotating Day/Night
- Time of day doesn't matter—inject when convenient
- If schedule rotates slowly (week of days, week of nights), keep same injection day
- If rotating rapidly, anchor to your most consistent day off
24-Hour Shifts (EMS, Fire)
- Inject on a day you're home
- Don't inject right before a 24-hour shift while still titrating
- Once established, timing is very flexible
Irregular Gig/On-Call Work
- Pick a consistent day regardless of work
- Set strong phone reminders
- Inject same time each week (e.g., "Saturday morning when I wake up")
What If You Miss a Dose?
Shift workers are more likely to forget doses due to schedule disruption. Here's what to do:
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Remembered within 5 days of scheduled dose | Take it as soon as you remember, then resume regular schedule |
| More than 5 days late | Skip the missed dose, take next scheduled dose, resume regular schedule |
| Frequently forgetting | Set multiple phone alarms, tie to a consistent routine, use medication reminder app |
- FDA. Wegovy Prescribing Information - Administration Section. 2021, updated 2024.
- FDA. Zepbound Prescribing Information - Administration Section. 2023.
- FDA. Ozempic Prescribing Information - Dosage and Administration. 2017, updated 2024.
- Novo Nordisk. Patient Instructions for Use - Wegovy.
- Eli Lilly. Patient Instructions for Use - Mounjaro/Zepbound.
- Kapoor E, et al. Practical Considerations in GLP-1 RA Use. Mayo Clin Proc. 2021.
- Shift Work and Health. CDC/NIOSH Publication. 2023.
- Lowden A, et al. Eating and Shift Work. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2010.