What Happens When You Stop Taking Ozempic for Weight Loss?

What happens when you stop taking Ozempic^®? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question.

When you stop taking Ozempic for weight loss or type 2 diabetes management, you’ll eventually notice its effects wear off. Your appetite may return to baseline, which might have you wondering whether you’ll also have food cravings that set you up for unwanted weight gain or wonky blood sugar.

But semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy^®) has a long half-life, and it could take several weeks to leave your system entirely. As with other types of prescription drugs, withdrawal symptoms are possible and may depend on why you’re taking it, so discuss medication changes with a trusted provider.

The TL;DR is that stopping Ozempic could increase body weight and affect blood sugar (glucose) levels.

We’ll go over how weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy^® work and what happens when you miss a dose or decide to stop Ozempic altogether.

Ozempic is one brand name for the drug semaglutide. It’s part of a class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s).

Ozempic was designed and FDA-approved as a prescription drug to help lower blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. It’s sometimes prescribed off-label to treat obesity and excess weight. (Off-label use means a drug is prescribed to treat something the Food and Drug Administration hasn’t approved it for — a legal and common practice.)

Ozempic mimics the effects of naturally occurring GLP-1 hormones, which are made in the small intestine.

GLP-1 hormones are involved in several processes in the body, including:

• Triggering the pancreas to produce more insulin, a hormone that helps the body use glucose for energy

• Interfering with the production of glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar levels

• Slowing digestion, so less sugar enters the bloodstream after you eat

• Affecting the part of the brain that processes satiety (feeling full), so you feel fuller sooner and have fewer food cravings between meals

It can take a few weeks (or more) for Ozempic to result in noticeable weight loss and improved blood sugar levels.

Ozempic and other GLP-1 receptor agonists, like Mounjaro^® and Zepbound^® (tirzepatide), work a little differently than metformin, a widely prescribed oral medication intended for people with type 2 diabetes. However, Ozempic and metformin can both help reduce blood sugar and support weight loss.

If you’re wondering if you can stop taking Ozempic or Wegovy^®, know that it requires an individualized approach. If you’re taking Wegovy^® for weight loss and don’t have type 2 diabetes, for instance, it’s likely okay to stop taking it — but consult a healthcare provider first.

Folks with type 2 diabetes should never attempt to stop Ozempic without medical guidance, as it could lead to dangerously high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia). Other symptoms related to hyperglycemia are possible, such as:

• Excessive thirst

• Frequent urination

• Fatigue

• Blurry vision

• Headaches

Be aware that your weight loss goals may suffer minor setbacks when you miss a dose of Ozempic. One potential problem with stopping the medication and starting it again is that most people develop a tolerance to side effects like nausea and diarrhea. If you go off the drug for a while, some of those side effects may come back.  

There are several reasons you might want to stop taking Ozempic for weight loss, such as:

• Severe side effects

• “Ozempic vacations”

• Reaching your goal weight

• Pregnancy

• Surgery

Keep reading for more detailed insight.

1. Severe Side Effects

Some people experience more severe semaglutide side effects than others. For example, you could be experiencing nausea and vomiting that make it difficult to eat a healthy diet while on Ozempic.

If you’re having severe, ongoing gastrointestinal issues, it may be time to take a break and consult your provider about Ozempic alternatives or dosing adjustments.

2. “Ozempic Vacations”

Some people take breaks from weight loss medications so they can indulge a little during vacation or around the holidays. We get it. Sometimes, it pays to have an increased appetite.

One way to help minimize weight gain during your break from Ozempic is to focus on making healthy food choices. Food cravings you haven’t experienced in a while may throw you off at first, but if you can be mindful of calories and carbs, you may be able to navigate some time off without worrying too much about regaining lost weight.

3. Reaching Your Goal Weight

There’s a common misconception that you should stop taking GLP-1 weight loss drugs as soon as you reach your goal weight. While some people may be able to sustain a healthy BMI (body mass index) without them, these medications are generally intended to be taken long-term.

Just as someone with high blood pressure may need blood pressure medication for ongoing control, managing your appetite and blood sugar may require taking Ozempic for a long time.

4. Pregnancy

If you’re planning to become pregnant, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends clearing your body of GLP-1s before conception.

The NIH notes that while some people may have the medication out of their system within a month or so, you should plan to stop the drug at least eight weeks before trying to become pregnant.

That said, if you have type 2 diabetes, you’ll need to work with your provider to find alternative ways to manage your blood sugar during this time.

5. Surgery

The American Society of Anesthesiologists suggests pausing GLP-1s before any surgery involving general anesthesia — particularly for people who have side effects such as nausea and vomiting. And if you’ve experienced significant stomach upset or throwing up on your medication, you should delay your procedure if possible.

If not (and your medications are on pause), then surgery and anesthesia should proceed as planned, the organization says.

What happens when you stop taking Ozempic for weight management? It’s not uncommon to experience weight regain after stopping Ozempic for weight loss.

In a 2022 clinical trial conducted by drug manufacturer Novo Nordisk (the company that makes Ozempic and Wegovy^®), people with obesity who took semaglutide for 68 weeks (and then stopped) regained around two-thirds of the weight they’d lost.

Another study on higher-dose semaglutide found that weight regain is a common consequence of stopping semaglutide. Researchers suggest that long-term use of the drug may be necessary to maintain weight loss.

If you want to stop taking Ozempic for weight loss, it may be worth a conversation with your provider about alternatives or tapering to a lower maintenance dose.

Still, it’s worth noting that plenty of people have lost significant amounts of weight and kept it off without the intervention of weight loss drugs. This requires an ongoing commitment to a healthy diet, regular exercise, and other lifestyle factors that support your efforts.

Generally speaking, having obesity or overweight (and managing weight once it’s lost) can require a lifetime of care and treatment.

Just because it’s possible to regain weight after stopping weight loss medication doesn’t mean all your progress has to unravel. Since Ozempic is involved in appetite regulation, having another strategy in place becomes even more important without its help.

Here are some practical, healthy lifestyle changes and tips to help keep extra weight off, even if you stop taking Ozempic:

• Design a structured eating routine. Consistency and a balanced diet are key to helping you avoid mindless snacking or overeating. Plates should include protein, fiber, and healthy fats to keep you fuller longer.

• Prioritize protein and fiber. Protein helps preserve lean muscle mass, which supports metabolism, and fiber slows digestion, stabilizes blood sugar, and keeps you fuller for longer. Aim for protein at every meal and plenty of non-starchy vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and fruits.

• Move your body. Exercise is key to maintaining weight loss and supporting overall well-being. For the most health benefits, incorporate both cardio (like jogging or cycling) and strength training at least two or three times a week to build muscle mass, support metabolic rate, and even reduce the risk of heart disease.

• Be mindful of emotional eating. Without the appetite-suppressing effects of semaglutide, you may notice more food noise or emotional triggers. Practice mindful eating strategies, and consider working with a therapist or registered dietitian if food starts feeling like a coping mechanism.

• Track your progress. Whether it’s food journaling, stepping on the scale weekly, or monitoring your habits in an app, tracking can increase awareness and help you course-correct early if weight gain starts to creep up.

• Don’t forget about sleep and stress. Poor sleep and high stress levels can drive hunger hormones and make weight maintenance harder. Aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep, and find ways to unwind regularly, whether that’s meditation, movement, or other relaxing practices.

• Get professional support. Consider ongoing guidance from a registered dietitian or weight loss coach to help you stay accountable and make adjustments. Some people also benefit from transitioning to other weight management medications under supervision.

With a long-term, well-rounded lifestyle approach that includes nutrition, exercise, mindset, and support, many people successfully maintain weight loss after stopping GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic.

If you’re considering stopping and restarting Ozempic, talk with a healthcare professional first. This advice also applies if you want to go off the drug permanently. It’s good to know how best to manage a return of symptoms or other health concerns moving forward.

A 2023 report on GLP-1s suggests that when resuming the medication after an extended time of non-use, you should start at a lower dose to reduce some of those side effects. Your provider can recommend specifics here, especially if you go off Ozempic for two weeks or more.

The longer your break from Ozempic, the more likely you are to experience a return of side effects, such as nausea, diarrhea, or constipation — problems that may have first bothered you until your body developed a tolerance for the drug.

If you’re coming off GLP-1s for good, you may be advised to enroll in a nutrition program that can help you manage food cravings and blood glucose levels. This may help minimize weight regain. A registered dietitian or certified diabetes educator can help you develop meal plans and make other changes to support your efforts.

Stopping Ozempic might mean you turn to other prescription medications, such as metformin, to help you lose weight and keep blood sugar levels in check.

Most people without diabetes can safely stop taking Ozempic for weight loss. Still, it’s always best to consult a healthcare provider about changes to your treatment plan first.

What happens when you stop taking Ozempic? Here are some things to be aware of if you’re ready to skip this week’s injection or stop taking the drug permanently:

• Before coming off semaglutide, get reliable medical advice from your healthcare team regarding blood sugar control and dealing with food cravings.

• Your blood sugar levels may climb quickly, so be prepared to manage your diet, exercise daily, and monitor your glucose regularly, if necessary.

• Expect food cravings and hunger to return. Be prepared with healthy snacks and meal plans that promote satiety without adding too many calories.

• If you want to go back on Ozempic or other weight loss drugs, talk with your healthcare provider about what to expect and how you can minimize any new onset of side effects.

Have other questions about weight loss? Check out our weight loss treatment resources, or take our free online assessment to be connected with a licensed healthcare provider.