Key takeaways:
Ozempic and Wegovy are FDA-approved treatments that contain semaglutide.
Both Ozempic and Wegovy can cause weight loss. But at some point, people may stop losing weight while taking these medications.
Diet, exercise, medications, and stress can all impact the weight-loss effects of Ozempic and Wegovy.
Save on related medications
Ozempic and Wegovy are both glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, a class of medications that help treat Type 2 diabetes and other medical conditions. Wegovy and Ozempic contain semaglutide, a medication that can cause weight loss.
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%.
Reasons you may not lose weight on Ozempic
Both Wegovy and Ozempic can cause weight loss — though not everyone experiences this effect. Semaglutide related weight loss can slow down or stop over time. 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 whether or not you see a weight change while taking semaglutide.
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. People taking higher doses of these medications are more likely to experience side effects like:
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
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.
4. Your other health conditions
Other medications that you’re taking to treat other conditions can also have an impact.
You might have a more difficult time losing weight on Ozempic or Wegovy if you’re taking:
A sulfonylurea like glipizide or glyburide for treating diabetes mellitus
Certain antidepressants such as mirtazapine or paroxetine
Antipsychotics like olanzapine or risperidone
Corticosteroids including prednisone
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 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.
What to do for Ozempic plateau
If your weight loss has plateaued and you’re hoping to lose more, connect with your healthcare team for options. They may recommend:
Changing your diet
Trying different types of physical activity
Switching to a different GLP-1 medication
Average weight loss on Ozempic
Every person taking Ozempic can expect to respond a little bit differently to the medication. But studies have shown that most people taking Ozempic for a year will lose a significant amount of weight. One study found that people taking semaglutide for weight loss lost an average of nearly 15% of their body weight after a year.
Another study conducted over a longer period of time revealed an average weight loss of about 10% with semaglutide.
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’ll 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. In one study, half of the participants maintained some weight loss a year after stopping semaglutide.
Frequently asked questions
There’s no “best” diet for losing weight on Ozempic. But, in general, it’s best to avoid foods high in added sugar or fat when trying to lose weight. You should also limit ultra-processed foods and alcohol.
Wegovy and Ozempic both contain semaglutide, but they’re approved for different uses. So, one isn’t “better” than the other. The best choice for you will depend on your specific health goals and medical history.
Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound, may lead to more weight loss than both Ozempic and Wegovy. But more research is needed to say for sure.
There’s no “best” diet for losing weight on Ozempic. But, in general, it’s best to avoid foods high in added sugar or fat when trying to lose weight. You should also limit ultra-processed foods and alcohol.
Wegovy and Ozempic both contain semaglutide, but they’re approved for different uses. So, one isn’t “better” than the other. The best choice for you will depend on your specific health goals and medical history.
Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound, may lead to more weight loss than both Ozempic and Wegovy. But more research is needed to say for sure.
The bottom line
Wegovy and Ozempic are both glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. GLP-1 agonists can help treat several medical conditions, and they also cause weight loss. Some people taking GLP-1 agonists notice significant weight changes, while others only notice a modest change.
If GLP-1 agonists don’t seem to be working for you, talk with your healthcare team. You may need to adjust your medication dose or give your current dose more time to work. Ozempic and Wegovy work best when paired with a nutritious diet that limits ultra-processed foods, fried foods, sugary drinks, and alcohol.
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References
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