How to have a merry Christmas in Mounjaro: Experts reveal what really happens when you miss doses, while people debate how to stop their shots to eat and drink during the holiday season.

Much of the joy of Christmas comes from eating and drinking with abandon and dealing with the consequences for your waistline in January, but this year an increasing number of people are experiencing a serious roadblock to their festive feasts.

People across the UK who take appetite-suppressing weight loss drugs, like Mounjaro, fear they will not be able to enjoy a “normal” Christmas because they simply cannot eat or drink much without feeling uncomfortably full.

It has sparked debate on social media about whether it’s a good idea to skip or postpone a scheduled weekly shot to stay hungry enough to enjoy the holiday season.

Weight loss influencers offering advice on TikTok talk about “personal choice” and “doing what’s right for you,” along with assurances that an adjustment to your schedule won’t stop you from reaching your weight loss goals.

However, experts have warned that while there is some flexibility in when to get the vaccine, tinkering with the schedule could have longer-term consequences.

Speaking to MailOnline, Dr Matt Vickers, clinical director of Juniper, which provides GLP1 as Mounjaro along with health advice, highlighted that “consistency in dosing is crucial for the medicine 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.

Less than one in ten patients who meet the criteria to receive Mounjaro will receive it from health services in the next three years, the medicines regulator has confirmed.

In a blow to Labour’s health plans, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) said only 220,000 of the 3.4 million eligible patients will receive the drug as part of the initial rollout.

For those who are already taking Mounjaro, thanks to a private prescription, we reveal what the real consequences are for your weight loss goals if you change your doses during Christmas.

Should you change your dosing schedule?

If you miss a dose of your weight-loss medication, you can take it up to 96 hours later, but Dr. Vickers said this is a backup plan and not a long-term strategy.

“The medication helps control weight and appetite by regulating the body’s response to hunger,” he said. ‘Frequently skipping or rescheduling doses could result in less consistent results and possible alterations in treatment effectiveness.

‘Also, while there is some wiggle room if you miss a dose within the 96-hour period, 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 may cause unwanted side effects or adverse reactions.

Will you be hungry if you miss a dose?

If you were due to receive a shot on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, but decide to delay it, there is no guarantee that you will be hungrier.

“Your body may have adapted to smaller portions and a lower overall appetite, regardless of the immediate effects of the medication,” Dr. Vickers explained.

‘Even without taking your dose, your stomach may no longer be used 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 produce the desired change in appetite, and the body’s long-term adjustments to the medication may still limit your ability to eat large portions.”

What are the possible side effects?

While there is a window for taking a late dose, if you’ve been constantly changing your schedule throughout December, your body may have trouble adjusting when you resume your regimen in the New Year.

“Constantly adjusting the dose could cause initial side effects to return when the medication is restarted, especially if those side effects were severe to begin with,” Dr. Vickers explained.

‘This could include gastrointestinal problems such as nausea or upset stomach. Additionally, stopping the medication and then resuming it may require adjustments to the dosing schedule, which is best done under the guidance of a healthcare provider to avoid complications.

‘The line must be drawn to ensure consistency with the prescribed dosage, as modifying it without professional guidance can lead to unpredictable effects, both in terms of side effects and weight loss results.

“While some might argue that it is an “individual choice,” the safest and most effective approach is to follow the schedule set by your doctor or weight loss provider, allowing you to enjoy the holiday season and minimize the risk of setbacks. “.

Are there any mental impacts to consider?

“If the mentality around these medications is that they can be ‘paused’ or ‘adjusted’ as appropriate, it could undermine the process of creating lasting habits that contribute to weight loss even after stopping the medication,” stated Dr. Vickers.

He noted that those taking these medications should take a “holistic approach,” developing healthier eating and exercise habits at the same time.

“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 broader picture that includes sustainable changes in eating patterns and attitudes towards food, medications can offer support, but should not be seen as a quick fix or something to rely on sporadically.

“Treating them as part of a holistic approach encourages consistency, better results, and a healthier relationship with food.”