Norovirus & Weight Loss Injections: What Mounjaro & Wegovy Users Need To Know

Norovirus cases are rising across the UK, leaving many people wondering how this might affect their weight loss treatment. If you’re currently using GLP-1 receptor agonist medications like Mounjaro (tirzepatide) or Wegovy (semaglutide), you’ll need to take some extra precautions if you catch this highly contagious stomach bug.

Why are Mounjaro and Wegovy users at higher risk?

When you’re taking GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro or Wegovy, your body processes food and liquids differently, which can make a norovirus infection more challenging to handle:

• Slower Digestion – Wegovy and Mounjaro help you lose weight by intentionally delaying stomach emptying and during a norovirus infection, it may be harder for your stomach to clear the virus, which may drag out the symptoms.
  
• Dehydration Risk – Norovirus causes fluid loss through vomiting and diarrhoea, and GLP-1 medications already reduce fluid intake for many users by decreasing thirst signals. This combination creates a perfect storm for severe dehydration.
  
• Electrolyte Imbalance – Your body needs certain salts and minerals to function correctly, like potassium, magnesium and sodium, and Norovirus flushes these out rapidly. While GLP-1 users often already have changes in these levels due to altered eating patterns, this could cause muscle weakness, dizziness or fatigue.
  
• Recovery Challenges – Fighting any infection will put a strain on your immune system, and if your body is already adapting to significant weight loss and metabolic changes from GLP-1 treatment, you may have fewer reserves to battle the norovirus effectively.

How to Protect Yourself Against Norovirus While Using GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs 

Avoiding norovirus should be a top priority if you’re taking Wegovy or Mounjaro. Here’s how to stay safe:

• Keep Your Hands Clean – Soap and water are your best defence, so scrub for 20 seconds, especially after the toilet and before eating. Hand gel isn’t great against norovirus, so don’t rely on it.
  
• Disinfect Surfaces – Norovirus is stubborn and can live on surfaces for days. Wipe down your kitchen counters, bathroom surfaces, door handles, and light switches regularly with bleach-based cleaners.
  
• Watch What You Eat and Drink – Raw shellfish is a common culprit, so avoid oysters, and be careful at buffets where lots of people are handling serving utensils. Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly.
  
• Look After Your Gut Health – Adding probiotics like yoghurt with live cultures or kefir to your diet might help strengthen your digestive system against bugs (if these foods fit into your current eating plan).
  
• Limit Exposure During Outbreaks – When norovirus is making the rounds, try to avoid crowded places and keep your distance from anyone with stomach symptoms.

How to Manage Your Symptoms if You Catch Norovirus 

If you do catch norovirus while on GLP-1 medication, managing your symptoms properly becomes even more important:

You should stay on top of hydration by taking small, frequent sips of water or electrolyte drinks rather than large amounts at once. You need to replace lost salts through sports drinks, broths, or rehydration solutions like Dioralyte, and when you can eat again, be gentle with food choices by selecting bland, easy-to-digest options like plain toast, rice, or bananas. Avoid dairy, spicy, fatty, or high-fibre foods that might upset your stomach further.

Keeping track of your symptoms and how much weight you’re losing will help monitor your recovery progress and provide valuable information for your GP or pharmacist if needed. Daily weigh-ins are important during your illness to make sure you’re not losing too much too quickly. Rapid weight loss during illness isn’t healthy weight loss and could signal dangerous dehydration.

Your body needs rest to fight the infection while coping with the effects of your GLP-1 medication. Clear your schedule and give yourself permission to do nothing but recover. This allows your immune system to focus its resources on combating the virus.

Should I stop using Mounjaro/Wegovy if I get Norovirus?

For mild symptoms, you can typically continue your GLP-1 medication while focusing on aggressive hydration and rest. Keep drinking small amounts frequently throughout the day – water, electrolyte drinks and clear broths are best. Your appetite might disappear altogether, which isn’t surprising given both the norovirus and your medication, but try to eat little bits of plain food when you can manage it.

If you’re suffering from severe vomiting and diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, it’s best to skip a week of Wegovy or Mounjaro until you can eat and drink normally again. Severe dehydration can be dangerous and should be your main priority. Missing one dose won’t ruin your weight loss progress, but ending up in the hospital with dehydration definitely will!

You should contact your pharmacy or GP urgently if you’re struggling to recover from norovirus while on GLP-1 medication. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice worrying signs like feeling extremely thirsty, passing very dark urine, feeling dizzy or confused, having a racing heart, or if you can’t keep even small sips of water down for more than 12 hours. You might need IV fluids to get you back on track.

Remember that your overall health always takes priority over weight loss goals. A brief pause in treatment during illness is sometimes necessary and won’t derail your progress when approached sensibly.

Contact Click2Pharmacy for Expert Advice on Weight Loss Medications

At Click2Pharmacy, our team of specialist pharmacists will support you through your weight loss journey, including managing illnesses while on GLP-1 medications. 

If you’re a Click2Pharmacy patient and are worried about how norovirus might affect your treatment plan, don’t hesitate to reach out to our pharmacists. We can help you determine whether to continue or temporarily pause your medication, recommend appropriate hydration strategies, and advise on when to seek further medical attention.

Visit our weight loss clinic today to learn more about our GLP-1 weight loss services or contact us today to talk about managing your medication during illness.