Sick Days on GLP-1s: When to Continue, When to Pause

Getting sick can temporarily disrupt appetite, hydration, and digestion. On GLP-1 therapy, illness may amplify side effects if intake drops too low. Knowing when to continue medication and when to pause protects both your recovery and your long-term treatment success.

Key principle: treat the illness first. GLP-1 therapy can safely resume once intake and hydration stabilize.

Why Sick Days Feel Different on GLP-1s

GLP-1 medications intentionally:

• Reduce appetite

• Increase early fullness

• Slow gastric emptying

During illness, your body may already be dealing with:

• Reduced appetite

• Nausea or stomach upset

• Fever-related fluid loss

• Fatigue that limits eating and drinking

When these overlap, the risk isn’t the medication itself—it’s dehydration and inadequate intake.

This is why sick-day decisions are based on function, not the diagnosis alone.

When You Can Usually Continue GLP-1s

Most minor illnesses do not require stopping GLP-1 therapy.

You can usually continue your medication if:

• Symptoms are mild (cold, congestion, sore throat, body aches)

• Fever is low-grade or improving

• You can eat small meals or snacks

• You can keep fluids down

• Nausea is minimal and similar to your baseline

How to Support Your Body While Continuing

If you continue GLP-1s during illness, shift priorities:

• Hydration comes first
  Frequent small sips count. Electrolytes are often helpful.

• Protein as tolerated
  Protein shakes, yogurt, eggs, or broth with added protein are enough.

• Gentle intake is okay
  This is not the time to “hit perfect goals.” Adequate is enough.

• Rest without guilt
  Healing improves tolerance and prevents setbacks.

👉 For hydration strategies, review Hydration & Electrolyte Tips for GLP-1 Patients

When to Consider Pausing GLP-1s (Message Us)

A short pause is often the safer medical choice when illness significantly affects intake.

Pausing is usually appropriate if:

• You have active vomiting or diarrhea

• You cannot keep fluids down

• Nausea is significantly worse than your usual baseline

• You have a stomach virus or acute GI illness

• Oral intake is minimal for more than 24 hours

Why Pausing Can Be Protective

Pausing temporarily:

• Protects hydration and kidney function

• Reduces risk of severe nausea or vomiting

• Prevents unnecessary ER visits

• Makes restarting easier once you’re better

A pause is not a failure and does not undo treatment progress.

Never Double Doses After Illness

This is one of the most important sick-day rules.

If a dose is skipped:

• Do not double the next dose

• Resume your next scheduled dose unless specifically advised otherwise

Doubling doses after illness greatly increases the risk of nausea, vomiting, and dehydration.

👉 If you’ve had a longer pause, review Stopping and Restarting GLP-1 Treatment

When to Seek In-Person Care

Seek urgent or in-person care if you experience:

• Persistent or severe vomiting

• Severe abdominal pain

• Signs of dehydration (dark urine, dizziness, weakness)

• Chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting

👉 Review safety guidance: GLP-1 Red Flags & Emergency Symptoms

If symptoms are severe, seek care first, then notify your care team.

Restarting After a Sick-Day Pause

Once illness improves and you can:

• Eat small meals

• Drink fluids comfortably

• Keep nausea under control

GLP-1 therapy can usually be resumed safely. In some cases, restarting at a slightly lower dose may improve tolerance.

Always message your care team if you’re unsure.

Key Takeaways

• Most minor illnesses do not require stopping GLP-1s

• Functional intake matters more than the diagnosis

• Active vomiting, diarrhea, or poor hydration → pause and message us

• Never double doses after illness

• Treat the illness first; GLP-1 therapy can resume once intake stabilizes

GLP-1 treatment should support your health—not compete with recovery.
Thoughtful pauses protect your body and improve long-term success.

— Optima Vida Healthcare