Key takeaways:
Most people take Wegovy long term to maintain their weight loss.
Taking Wegovy long term might increase your risk of certain side effects, like pancreatitis and gallbladder problems. If you’re wanting to take Wegovy long term, it’s important to weigh these risks.
Research studies show that when people stop taking Wegovy, they regain up to two-thirds of the weight they lost on average. But lifestyle changes can help you stay at a more comfortable weight.
Save on related medications
There’s no such thing as a magic weight-loss pill. But Wegovy (semaglutide) and other glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists seem to come pretty close. People who take these medications often experience dramatic weight loss that hasn’t been possible for them through other means.
Still, Wegovy has its downsides. Like all medications, there are certain risks. And Wegovy is no exception. You may be wondering how long it takes to see results and whether you can stop taking Wegovy once you see results.
How does Wegovy work?
Wegovy is a GLP-1 agonist. GLP-1 is a hormone that affects multiple pathways in your digestive system. Wegovy, and other medications like it, mimic the effects of this hormone in your body.
It helps with weight loss in the following ways:
It slows down the rate at which food leaves your stomach. This helps you feel full for longer.
Wegovy decreases the hunger cues created by your brain. Many people say they think less about food. Others notice fewer cravings for certain foods, such as ultra-processed foods.
It changes the levels of hormones that regulate hunger, such as ghrelin and leptin. This helps control appetite.
How long does Wegovy take to work for weight loss?
Wegovy works quickly for weight loss, usually within a few weeks. You’ll probably notice a decrease in your appetite within a day or two. In one study, participants noticed weight loss in the first 4 weeks of treatment. On average, those taking Wegovy lost more than 2% of their body weight in that time period. For example, a person who weighs 200 lbs might expect to lose about 5 lbs in the first month.
But for many people, weight loss may take a little more time. Research shows that after 3 months of treatment, the average weight loss with Wegovy is about 6% of body weight. Additional research suggests people lose about 11% of their body weight after 6 months, and about 16% of their body weight after 16 months.
If you don’t lose this much weight, it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. It may just mean your body responds differently to Wegovy. At this point, it would be a good time to talk with your healthcare team about other weight-loss strategies.
It’s also important to keep in mind that Wegovy works at different speeds for different people. This will partly depend on your dose and how quickly it’s increased.
How long does it take to reach the right Wegovy dosage?
Wegovy dosages start out small (0.25 mg once a week). You’ll work with your prescriber to slowly increase the dose over about 16 weeks (4 months) until you reach a maintenance dose. The typical maintenance dosage is 2.4 mg once a week, but some people stay at 1.7 mg.
Because you start at a low dose, it may take several weeks to see bigger weight loss. This may feel like a long time. But it’s important to follow the recommended dosage escalation plan for Wegovy. This will help reduce unwanted side effects, which include:
How long do you take Wegovy for weight loss?
Most people need to stay on weight-loss medications like Wegovy long term to maintain their weight, said Dr. Sonal Chaudhry, a board-certified endocrinologist.
Dr. Chaudhry said it’s common to regain a lot of the weight you lost after you stop the medication. “In my experience, weight-loss treatment with medication is long term.” She added that some people may be able to stop and restart weight-loss medications, but this depends on the individual.
The benefits of staying on Wegovy long term
Staying on Wegovy long term can help you stay at a more comfortable weight. In one study, people who stopped Wegovy after 16 months regained about two-thirds of the weight they lost within a year. Unfortunately, their blood glucose (sugar), blood pressure, and cholesterol levels all moved back toward where they were before starting Wegovy.
To avoid these changes and to keep the benefits you found on Wegovy, you may choose to stay on it long term.
The benefits may lead to:
Higher likelihood of living longer
Lower risk of heart disease
Lower risk of stroke
Like any medication, it’s important to consider the pros and cons based on your individual needs. If regaining weight would put you at risk for serious health conditions, it may be worth staying on Wegovy. But it’s important to understand the possible downsides.
What are the long-term side effects of Wegovy?
Wegovy is a relatively new medication, so there isn’t a lot of research on its long-term risks Chaudhry pointed out. “But we do know that there are long-term complications related to obesity and diabetes. It’s a decision with some degree of unknown,” she said.
Here are some possible concerns about taking Wegovy long term:
Thyroid cancer (less than a 1% risk)
Pancreas problems
Paralyzed stomach
Problems with your eyes (if you have diabetes)
Since Wegovy is relatively new, other long-term side effects may appear as scientists continue to gather information.
Aside from the side effects, Wegovy is expensive. If you’re paying out of pocket, it could cost over $16,000 per year to stay on it. The bottom line is that you have to weigh the costs and benefits based on your own health needs and lifestyle.
There are ways to save on prescriptions. GoodRx for Weight Loss can help you access FDA-approved, brand-name GLP-1 medications at lower costs. Subscribers pay an introductory price for the first 2 fills: $199 per month for Ozempic or Wegovy injections, or $149 for the Wegovy pill (only available for certain doses). After that, most refills are $299 or $349 per month, depending on the medication and dose.
You may also be eligible for a manufacturer copay card or a patient assistance program through the manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovy.
What happens when you stop taking Wegovy
If you do decide to stop Wegovy, you might want to wait at least 1 year. This is generally when the “weight-loss plateau” happens, meaning weight loss slows or stops. Some people choose to taper off Wegovy. This means they slowly decrease their dose before stopping it completely.
No matter when or how you stop taking Wegovy, it’s important to make sure you’re incorporating healthy lifestyle practices. Eating nutritious foods, moving your body, and managing stress can help you maintain your goal weight.
You might also consider switching to a different medication at this time, such as Zepbound (tirzepatide). Chaudhry said that some people respond better to other medications that work a little differently than Wegovy. If you still want to lose weight but Wegovy stops working for you, switching medications may help. Like Wegovy, these medications generally need to be continued long term to maintain weight loss.
Frequently asked questions
One study found that people lost about 15% of their body weight when they took Wegovy for 16 months. Keep in mind that this is an average. That means some people lost more weight, and some lost less weight than this. It’s also important to know that the participants in this study incorporated lifestyle changes to help with weight management.
Ozempic and Wegovy are both versions of the medication semaglutide. But they aren’t interchangeable. That’s because they have different uses and doses. Wegovy is approved for weight loss, while Ozempic is approved for diabetes. If you’re interested in switching between the two, talk with your primary care provider or prescriber. They can help you figure out which one is the right medication for you.
You can drink alcohol if you take Wegovy. There’s no direct interaction between the two substances in your body. But Wegovy may make alcohol less appealing. Early research suggests that GLP-1 agonists like Wegovy may reduce cravings for addictive substances, like alcohol. Also, alcohol can worsen some of Wegovy’s side effects and interfere with your weight-loss goals.
Yes, it’s possible to lose weight on a maintenance dose. After reaching the maximum weekly maintenance dose of 2.4 mg, Wegovy can work to help you lose weight. Over time, you may reach a weight plateau, where you aren’t losing much more but are maintaining your previous weight loss. The timeline for reaching that point is different for everyone.
One study found that people lost about 15% of their body weight when they took Wegovy for 16 months. Keep in mind that this is an average. That means some people lost more weight, and some lost less weight than this. It’s also important to know that the participants in this study incorporated lifestyle changes to help with weight management.
Ozempic and Wegovy are both versions of the medication semaglutide. But they aren’t interchangeable. That’s because they have different uses and doses. Wegovy is approved for weight loss, while Ozempic is approved for diabetes. If you’re interested in switching between the two, talk with your primary care provider or prescriber. They can help you figure out which one is the right medication for you.
You can drink alcohol if you take Wegovy. There’s no direct interaction between the two substances in your body. But Wegovy may make alcohol less appealing. Early research suggests that GLP-1 agonists like Wegovy may reduce cravings for addictive substances, like alcohol. Also, alcohol can worsen some of Wegovy’s side effects and interfere with your weight-loss goals.
Yes, it’s possible to lose weight on a maintenance dose. After reaching the maximum weekly maintenance dose of 2.4 mg, Wegovy can work to help you lose weight. Over time, you may reach a weight plateau, where you aren’t losing much more but are maintaining your previous weight loss. The timeline for reaching that point is different for everyone.
The bottom line
Wegovy (semaglutide) helps people reach weight-loss goals that may not be possible through other means. But if you stop taking it, you may regain much of the weight. For this reason, some people take Wegovy long term to maintain their weight and other health benefits.
However, taking Wegovy long term isn’t the best choice for everyone. You may prefer to stop Wegovy at some point because of side effects or cost. If that’s the case, there are other options and lifestyle strategies you can make to maintain a weight that feels comfortable for you.
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References
Blundell, J., et al. (2017). Effects of once-weekly semaglutide on appetite, energy intake, control of eating, food preference and body weight in subjects with obesity. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
Cai, L., et al. (2022). Investigating genetic causal relationships between blood pressure and anxiety, depressive symptoms, neuroticism and subjective well-being. General Psychiatry.
Ghusn, W., et al. (2022). Weight loss outcomes associated with semaglutide treatment for patients with overweight or obesity. JAMA Network Open.
Quddos, F., et al. (2023). Semaglutide and Tirzepatide reduce alcohol consumption in individuals with obesity. Scientific Reports.
Wilding, J. P. H., et al. (2021). Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine.
Wilding, J. P. H., et al. (2021). Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine.
Wilding, J. P. H., et al. (2022). Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: The STEP 1 trial extension. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
