Key Takeaways
- When you stop taking Ozempic, you may experience an increase in your appetite.
- During a study, participants who stopped taking Ozempic regained most of their weight.
- Following healthy eating habits, exercising, and getting enough sleep may help you maintain your weight loss after stopping Ozempic.
Updated by: Jennifer Huddy
Ozempic (also known as semaglutide) is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes.
It has also grown in popularity as an off-label weight loss medication because it can suppress appetite.
If you’re taking Ozempic, you may have concerns about weight regain and blood sugar management once you stop taking the medication.
Read on to discover what the research says about weight regain when stopping Ozempic and learn why you may find yourself putting weight back on.
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Why Do People Stop Taking Ozempic?
There are several reasons you may stop taking Ozempic, including medication shortages and side effects.
Due to its sudden popularity, the drug is now becoming difficult to find.
Since May 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has listed Ozempic on the drug shortage list.
Because of this, your pharmacy may be unable to fill your Ozempic prescription, and you may need to discuss an alternative plan with your doctor.
If your doctor has prescribed Ozempic off-label for weight management purposes, you might stop taking it once you reach your weight loss goal.
Lastly, some people discontinue taking Ozempic because of adverse reactions or side effects like nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
What Happens When You Stop Taking Ozempic?
Individuals who stop taking Ozempic can anticipate a noticeable return of their appetite, the potential increase in their blood sugar levels, and the likelihood of weight regain.
The primary purpose of Ozempic is to help people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar levels.
It’s part of the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist drug class and works in your body in three ways.
- Stimulating the pancreas to secrete insulin when blood sugar levels rise.
- Slowing down the rate at which food leaves the stomach during digestion.
- Reducing the amount of glucose (sugar) the liver produces.
When you stop taking Ozempic, the medication’s effects start to wear off. It may take about a week for you to feel changes.
Your Appetite Will Return
You may notice you start feeling much more hungry after stopping Ozempic.
This is because the medication is no longer working in your body to slow the rate of stomach emptying and suppress your appetite.
You Can Regain Weight
With the return of your appetite and the medication no longer regulating your insulin secretion, you may notice some weight regain.
Returning to previous eating habits and not getting enough exercise can also contribute to weight gain.
Blood Sugar Levels Can Rise
Once Ozempic is out of your system, you may notice it’s harder to control your blood sugar levels if you have type 2 diabetes.
If you stop taking Ozempic, having a blood sugar management plan with your doctor is essential.
Side Effects Will Subside
Stopping Ozempic can also lead to the gradual disappearance of its side effects, including nausea, diarrhea, or constipation.
Will Ozempic Face Go Away?
“Ozempic face” is a term used in the media to describe the facial changes some people experience after losing weight rapidly on Ozempic.
The loss of facial fat tissue can make the skin sag and wrinkles more noticeable.
Unfortunately, the research shows that even if weight regain occurs after stopping Ozempic, it’s unlikely that the facial fat distribution will return to its original state.
Prioritizing adequate nutrition while taking Ozempic may help prevent rapid weight loss, therefore minimizing the possibility of experiencing “Ozempic face.”
What Does the Research Say About Weight Regain After Stopping Ozempic?
In Spring 2022, Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, completed a study on weight regain after stopping semaglutide.
For 68 weeks, participants received a weekly injection of semaglutide and followed lifestyle interventions such as getting regular exercise and eating a healthy diet.
The average weight loss was about 17% of total body weight.
After 68 weeks, the semaglutide treatments were stopped.
Researchers note that weight regain started right away.
Within one year, most of the weight that had been lost during treatment was regained.
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Reasons for Weight Regain After Stopping Ozempic
Several factors contribute to weight regain after stopping Ozempic, including hormonal changes, the return of previous eating habits, and a lack of physical activity.
Hormonal Changes
Ozempic influences several important hormone pathways for blood sugar levels and weight management.
The active ingredient, semaglutide, mimics GLP-1, a hormone in your gut that regulates appetite and insulin secretion.
Stopping Ozempic can reverse its effects on these hormonal pathways, leading to an increased appetite and less effective insulin regulation.
This hormone shift may make maintaining the weight loss achieved during treatment challenging.
Returning to Previous Eating Habits
Another reason for weight regain after stopping Ozempic is returning to eating habits you had before taking the medication.
While you take Ozempic, the medication greatly suppresses your appetite.
After just a few bites, you may feel full. This effect helps you reduce how much food you consume daily.
If you’re significantly undereating while you take the medication, it will be very challenging to maintain this once your appetite returns.
It’s important to learn new healthy eating habits while taking Ozempic, such as:
- Building balanced meals to ensure you are getting proper daily nutrition.
- Practicing mindful eating by learning your hunger and fullness cues.
- Minimizing emotional eating.
- Learning to cook at home.
Working with a registered dietitian while taking Ozempic and afterward can be helpful to ensure the habits you’re building are sustainable long-term.
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Lack of Physical Activity
Another factor contributing to weight regain may be that you’re not getting enough physical activity.
Regular exercise helps with weight management, boosts metabolism, and helps maintain lean muscle mass. Having lean muscle is beneficial for your metabolic rate.
How Much Weight Will I Regain After Ozempic?
How much weight you may regain when stopping Ozempic varies from person to person.
It depends on factors such as metabolic differences, lifestyle choices, and adherence to healthy eating and exercise routines.
During the clinical study, people who had discontinued taking the semaglutide injections regained an average of two-thirds of their weight one year after stopping treatment.
This means some people regained over two-thirds of their weight while others gained less than two-thirds.
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Preventing Weight Gain After Stopping Ozempic
A proactive approach is necessary to prevent weight gain after stopping Ozempic.
Continue With Healthy Eating Habits
One of the key strategies is to continue following the healthy eating habits you developed during the treatment period.
This includes eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and low-fat dairy.
A balanced meal plan is rich in fiber, which can help with satiety.
It’s also important to be mindful of portion sizes and mindless snacking throughout the day.
Maintain Or Increase Physical Activity
Another aspect is maintaining or increasing your physical activity levels.
Experts recommend adults get at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise five days a week and at least two days a week of muscle-strengthening exercises.
Some people may require more exercise to maintain weight loss. It depends on a person’s age, diet, and other factors.
Prioritize Sleep
While it may not seem related to weight management, getting adequate sleep is an important part of maintaining your weight loss.
If your appetite is already heightened after discontinuing Ozempic, poor sleep can exacerbate this.
Research shows that chronic inadequate sleep can increase appetite and contribute to weight regain after a weight loss intervention.
Most adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep per night.
It’s important to build lifestyle habits that allow you to consistently get enough sleep, like going to bed at a consistent time and limiting screens before bed.
How a Dietitian Can Help
A dietitian can give you personalized advice on meal planning and food choices to help you maintain your weight loss after stopping Ozempic.
They can help you recognize and modify eating behaviors that may have contributed to your weight gain before Ozempic and help you establish new habits.
This may include mindful eating techniques, recognizing hunger and fullness cues, and addressing emotional eating patterns.
Find a registered dietitian specializing in weight management who can work with you during and after Ozempic treatment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Never stop taking medication, Ozempic included, without first consulting with your doctor.
Your doctor may want to slowly taper you off the medication to help reduce unwanted side effects and rapid weight regain.
Some people stay on Ozempic long-term for blood sugar management.
However, this isn’t necessary if you and your doctor establish other ways of meeting your health needs.
During clinical trials, people regained an average of two-thirds of the weight they had lost while taking Ozempic.
Results vary from person to person depending on individual metabolism as well as eating and physical activity habits.
