About one in eight Americans are now using a weight loss shot to slim down - but for many, the results can be underwhelming.
While some lose up to a fifth of their body weight on the drugs, which include Mounjaro, Wegovy and Ozempic, others hit a plateau within just a few months, and struggle to shed further pounds.
Now experts say three simple tweaks could reverse their fortunes and turbo-charge the drugs, making them more effective.
'The most important factor is consistency,' Dr Raoul Manalac, a senior director at weight-loss prescribing company Ro, told the Daily Mail.
'It is important to take the medication on the same day each week to get the benefits.'
But doctors also said there are ways to optimize the time of day, day of the week and place of injection to improve results.
Doing so may help minimize side effects and boost feelings of fullness - making users more likely to stick with the drugs and lose the most weight.
Here, specialists reveal the smartest ways to get the most from every shot.
About one in eight Americans are now using a weight loss jab to slim down - but for many, the results can be underwhelming
What day of the week is best to take Ozempic or Mounjaro?
Weight-loss drugs are designed to be taken once a week, but many users are unsure which day gives the best results.
Some influencers claim injecting at the end of the week helps curb weekend cravings and speeds up weight loss.
But experts say many people may do better choosing a midweek dose instead.
Kristen Kuminski, a registered dietitian nutritionist in New York who advises patients using the drugs, told the Daily Mail that many of her clients prefer Wednesday or Thursday injections.
'That way, the initial side effects like nausea and fatigue pass before the weekend,' she said, 'which is when they want to feel their best.'
Overall, specialists stressed there is no evidence that one weekday causes faster weight loss than another. The key is picking a day you can stick to every week.
Dr Sirisha Vadali, a cardiologist in Arizona who helps patients on weight-loss medication, said: 'Timing-wise, there is no best day or time.
'However, I do recommend that you start on a day when there are minimal commitments, as there can be nausea, fatigue and gastrointestinal upset.'
That could mean a weekend day or a lighter weekday when you can rest if needed.
Best time of day to take Ozempic or Mounjaro: Should you inject before bed?
In the hours after an injection - especially when someone is new to the drugs - patients are often hit by nausea, vomiting and other side effects.
For that reason, many choose to inject in the morning so they have the day to manage any discomfort.
But doctors told the Daily Mail they often advise patients to take the shot in the evening, around two to three hours before bed.
They say this may help users sleep through the first wave of nausea and avoid some of the worst symptoms.
Kuminski said: 'For evening timing, I generally recommend right after dinner rather than just before bed. Injecting two to three hours before sleep works well for most people.
'That way, any nausea hits while the client is still upright and can move around if needed, rather than lying down immediately.'
Dr Matthew Nykiel, a plastic surgeon in California who prescribes weight-loss drugs, added: 'Some patients can get a headache or nausea when they take the medication, or just feel irritable.
'So, we find that if the patient takes the medication just before bedtime, then they won't experience those feelings of discomfort as strongly.'
Overall, side effects including indigestion tend to be worst in the first one to three days after an injection.
There is no scientific evidence that one time of day leads to faster weight loss than another - but choosing a time you can stick to may make treatment easier.
Best Ozempic or Mounjaro injection site: Stomach, thigh or arm?
Influencers have claimed that switching from the stomach to the thigh, upper arm - or rotating between sites each week - can speed up weight loss.
But doctors pushed back on those claims, saying the stomach is often the best place to inject.
Ozempic, Mounjaro and similar drugs are approved for injection into the abdomen, thigh or upper arm.
Patients are advised to inject into fatty tissue, which allows the medication to absorb gradually and suppress appetite throughout the week.
While there is no scientific evidence that one injection site leads to faster weight loss, Dr Sirisha Vadali told the Daily Mail that she usually recommends the abdomen.
'I typically recommend the abdomen with a rotation from one side to the other,' she said.
'This reduces irritation and avoids injecting the same tissues every week, which could cause pain.'
Dr Matthew Nykiel added: 'Usually, the stomach area is the best area due to the amount of fat available and ease of placement.'
Doctors say people can start by using the arm or outer thigh, but as weight comes off there may be less fatty tissue in those areas.
That can increase the risk of injecting into muscle rather than fat, which may be more uncomfortable and less ideal for absorption.
The most important Ozempic and Mounjaro rule, according to doctors
The Daily Mail spoke to six doctors for this article and, while each offered different tips on how to get the most out of weight-loss drugs, one piece of advice came up every time - unprompted.
Their message was, overwhelmingly, stay consistent.
Taking the medication on the same day each week, and as prescribed, helps keep its appetite-suppressing effects steady.
And this, ultimately, is what supports long-term weight loss.
For that reason, experts said the most important step is choosing a day, time and injection site you can realistically stick to every week.