GLP-1 drugs meet religious fasting

As many as 1 in 8 U.S. adults now take medications like Ozempic or Wegovy. This creates new medical considerations for religious fasts like Yom Kippur's 25-hour abstention from food and water.

How GLP-1 medications work

These drugs mimic a natural gut hormone that lowers blood sugar by triggering insulin release. They also slow food passing through the stomach, which reduces appetite and aids weight loss.

Common side effects get worse

GLP-1 drugs cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, constipation and dehydration. Fasting may make these worse, especially in people prone to upset stomach or when increasing doses.

Don't start or increase doses

If you're planning to fast for Yom Kippur, avoid starting a new GLP-1 medication or increasing your dose sooner than two weeks before the holiday.

Weekly injections stay on schedule

Keep your weekly injection schedule even if you plan to fast. These drugs stay in your system all week, so moving or skipping doses can interfere with blood sugar control or weight loss.

Daily injections need timing adjustments

For diabetes patients on daily GLP-1 injections, it may make sense to inject right before breaking the fast or after it ends. This reduces the risk of stomach side effects.

Oral pills pose a dilemma

Oral GLP-1 medications must be taken on an empty stomach with water. Since Yom Kippur fasting includes no drinking, you'll need to decide whether to take it before, after, or on an alternative schedule.

Diabetics face the biggest risks

GLP-1 medications are often used with other drugs that lower blood sugar. This raises the overall risk of a dangerous blood sugar crash during a prolonged fast.

Some people shouldn't fast at all

People with Type 1 diabetes, poorly controlled diabetes, frequent blood sugar drops, hypoglycemia unawareness, diabetes during pregnancy, or severe kidney disease should not fast.

Eat normally before fasting

Before fasting, eat a normal meal with protein and avoid both overeating and undereating. Don't skip the prefast meal entirely, even if GLP-1 therapy reduces your appetite.

“GLP-1 medications don't just decrease appetite, they can also suppress the body's natural thirst signals.”

Monitor blood sugar closely

If you're diabetic, check your blood sugar during fasting using a glucose monitor. Keep glucose tablets or hard candies nearby in case your blood sugar dips too low.

Break your fast gently

Plan a gentle, balanced meal to break the fast rather than an unusually large one. Avoid higher-fat foods, which can slow digestion and provoke nausea, pain, or vomiting.