What happens when you stop taking Ozempic?

Introduction

What happens when you stop taking Ozempic (semaglutide)? Many people wonder whether the effect will continue, whether the weight will return and what they can do to maintain the results.

Does Ozempic continue to work after you stop taking it?

Ozempic contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Its half-life is approximately one week. This means that the drug will remain in your body for several weeks after your last injection. However, the effect gradually diminishes. Your body receives less support in appetite regulation and satiety. Within a few weeks, you may notice that hunger and satiety signals change. Always discuss the possible consequences of stopping the medication all at once and consult your doctor about a careful tapering-off process that suits your situation.

Can you gain weight again after stopping?

Yes, weight gain is possible. The STEP 1 follow-up study, published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism (Wilding et al., 2022), showed that after stopping semaglutide, participants regained on average some of the weight they had lost when no lifestyle changes were made during treatment. After stopping Ozempic, the support from your satiety hormones disappears. As a result, your appetite gradually increases again and you often feel less full after a meal. At the same time, hunger hormones, such as ghrelin, can increase. This causes your body to send stronger signals to eat.

In addition, a biological protection mechanism kicks in. Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine (Sumithran et al., 2011) shows that after weight loss, hormonal changes occur that prompt the body to regain the lost weight. This adaptive mechanism causes your body to try to “defend” your old weight, as it were. That is precisely why good aftercare and ongoing lifestyle guidance are essential to maintain the results achieved.

Can you maintain weight loss without medication?

Yes, provided that there is a permanent change in behaviour.

Successful weight maintenance requires:

• Structure in nutrition
• Adequate protein intake
• Muscle maintenance through strength training
• Insight into triggers and habits
• Emotion regulation without relapse into eating behaviour

Medication can give you a kickstart, but lasting results come from new routines that remain in place after you stop.

How do you notice that your body is changing after stopping?

Many people recognise:

• More appetite during the day
• Less rapid satiety
• Stronger cravings
• More focus on food
• Sometimes slight mood swings

This is not a sign of failure, but a normal physiological process. It helps to recognise these signs in time so that you can respond proactively.

Is it dangerous to stop taking Ozempic suddenly?

For most people, it is not medically dangerous to stop. There is no withdrawal syndrome. However, it is wise to always do this in consultation with a doctor and to taper off gradually, especially if you have type 2 diabetes or other medical conditions.

Goodweigh offers comprehensive support

Goodweigh combines GLP-1 medication with personalised online coaching and tools for lasting weight loss. Together, we ensure sustainable and lasting results. At Goodweigh, we give you the right support to maintain your weight with confidence.

We help you with:

• A reduction programme if desired
• Personal coaching
• Educational content, healthy recipes
• Easily track your progress on the road to better health
• Unlimited access to our doctors for all your medical questions

Schedule an intake or follow-up consultation at Goodweigh and work together towards a lasting, healthy weight.

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