Here’s Why Weight Loss Can Stop While Taking Ozempic or Wegovy

Ozempic and Wegovy are both glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, a class of medications that help treat Type 2 diabetes. Some GLP-1 agonists, like Wegovy, are FDA-approved for weight loss. Others, like Ozempic, aren’t specifically approved for weight loss but may cause it as a side effect. They’re sometimes prescribed off-label for obesity or to help people lose weight.

But weight loss won’t continue forever, even if you’re taking your medication as prescribed. Here’s why weight loss can stop while you’re taking a GLP-1 agonist and what to do next.

How do medications like Wegovy and Ozempic work for weight loss?

Ozempic and Wegovy are brand names for semaglutide. Semaglutide is an injectable medication that belongs to a class of medicines called “glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists” (or GLP-1 agonists, for short). 

These medications work just like the GLP-1 made by your body. GLP-1 is a hormone that gets released when you eat. It tells your pancreas to release insulin and keeps your liver from storing glucose (sugar). It slows down digestion, affects the appetite center in your brain, and impacts the actions of your hunger hormones. 

All of these actions help you feel full longer after eating and steady your blood sugar levels. Both of these things impact how much energy you take in during the day, which can help you find a comfortable weight.

In studies, people taking Ozempic lost 6% to 7% of their body weight, while those taking Wegovy had an average weight loss of 15%.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Ozempic vs. Wegovy: Both Ozempic and Wegovy contain semaglutide and can support weight loss. Learn the key differences between these medications.

• Compounded semaglutide: There have been shortages of Ozempic and Wegovy. Learn about the role of compounded medications during shortages, including safety questions.

• Foods to avoid with Ozempic: Ozempic can lead to side effects like nausea and vomiting. Some foods can worsen these symptoms, like those high in fat and sugar.

What factors can change the effectiveness of Ozempic or Wegovy for weight loss?

Both Wegovy and Ozempic can cause weight loss. This weight loss can slow down, stop, or never occur. It can be normal to hit a weight plateau while taking these medications. 

Some people notice weight loss quickly after starting Ozempic or Wegovy. Others might not notice any change in their weight for a while.

These differences can happen because of certain factors that impact how Ozempic and Wegovy work in your body. Here are a few things that might be impacting how well these medications work for you. 

1. How much you’re taking (dose)

Your dose of Ozempic or Wegovy can have an impact on your weight. In some studies, people tended to lose more weight if they took a higher dose of semaglutide medications. A healthcare professional can help you determine if your dose should be adjusted. 

Keep in mind that you’re more likely to experience side effects if you’re taking higher doses of Ozempic or Wegovy. In studies, people taking higher doses of these medications were more likely to experience:

• Nausea and vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Fatigue

• Constipation

• Heartburn (acid reflux)

• Headache

These side effects can make it harder to tolerate semaglutide. Work with your healthcare team to find a dose that balances the medication’s effectiveness with side effects you can tolerate. This way, you can keep taking your medication. 

2. Your dosing schedule and timing

It can take a few weeks to start seeing changes in your weight after starting Ozempic or Wegovy. This is because most people will start with a low dose of these medications and slowly work their way up to their target dose over 3 months. This can help reduce your risk of developing unpleasant side effects, making it easier to continue taking the medication. 

Even at lower starting doses, many people do notice a change in their appetite, eating habits, and food cravings. While these changes may impact your weight, you might not see the full effects until you’ve reached your target dose.

You also want to make sure you’re taking your medication at the right time. Skipping or delaying doses will decrease the medication’s levels in your body. Stay with your schedule whether you’re working up to a target dose or you’ve already reached it. Setting an alarm or adding reminders to your calendar can help you keep track of when your next dose is due. 

3. If you follow a healthy diet and exercise

Semaglutide works best when you pair it with a nutritious diet and moderate exercise.

No food is totally off-limits while taking semaglutide. But it’s a good idea to avoid certain foods while taking Ozempic or Wegovy, like:

• Fried foods

• High-fat foods

• Sugary drinks

• Ultra-processed foods

• Alcohol

These foods can prevent your medication from working as well as it should. They can also trigger unwanted medication side effects. Avoiding these foods can help your medication work better. The result can be a change in your weight. 

What is the “Ozempic plateau”?

The “Ozempic plateau” describes a leveling off of weight loss while taking a GLP-1 medication. This often happens after around 12 months of taking semaglutide. 

The factors we outlined above can all play a role in why you may stop losing weight at a rate you experienced at one point while taking Ozempic. Keep in mind that people experience weight loss in different ways and at different times when taking GLP-1 agonists. 

If your weight loss has plateaued and you’re hoping to lose more, connect with your healthcare team for options. They may recommend you change up your diet or try different types of physical activity. Sometimes, switching to a different GLP-1 medication can help overcome the plateau.

What happens when you stop taking Ozempic or Wegovy?

Weight loss from Ozempic or Wegovy isn’t permanent. If you stop taking these medications, you will start to gain weight over time. In studies, people who stopped taking these medications regained some of the weight they lost within a year. 

But you probably won’t gain all the weight back. On average, people still weighed less after stopping the medication. In one study, half of the participants maintained some weight loss a year after stopping semaglutide. 

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Written by:

Ronald W. Dworkin, MD, PhD

Ronald W. Dworkin, MD, is a board-certified anesthesiologist who has been practicing anesthesiology in a community hospital for 30 years. He has taught in the honors program at George Washington University for over 10 years and works as a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute.

Edited by:

Alex Eastman, PhD, RN

Alex Eastman, PhD, RN, is a California-based registered nurse and staff medical editor at GoodRx, where he focuses on clinical updates and Latino health.

Reviewed by:

Brian Clista, MD

Dr. Clista is a board-certified pediatrician who works in private practice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He previously served as a National Health Service Corporation Scholar in the inner city of Pittsburgh for 11 years.

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