What Happens When You Stop Taking Wegovy?
Key takeaways:
Wegovy (semaglutide) is an injectable weight-loss medication. It’s meant to be used long term. After stopping Wegovy, many people regain some or all of the weight they lost.
Some evidence suggests that slowly decreasing your dose over time may help reduce weight gain, especially in combination with lifestyle changes and regular exercise.
Talk to your prescriber if you’re considering stopping Wegovy. They can help you decide when to stop and how to manage weight changes if you do.
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Table of contents
Medications like Wegovy (semaglutide) have been a game changer for many people on their weight-loss journey. But what happens once you reach your goal? Do you really have to take Wegovy forever? The short answer: Maybe.
Wegovy is intended for long-term use. And for many people, stopping it leads to rebound weight gain. This is because Wegovy’s effects on appetite and cravings wear off when the treatment ends. But creating a solid foundation of healthy habits — such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, and consistent routines — while you’re taking the medication can help maintain weight loss if you stop it.
Some people choose to stop Wegovy before they reach their goal due to side effects, cost, or personal preference. Here’s what to expect if you decide to stop and how to manage the transition.
What happens if you stop Wegovy?
If you stop using Wegovy, there’s a good chance you’ll regain some or most of the weight you lost. In clinical trials, participants lost significant weight while using the medication. But most of it came back after stopping Wegovy:
STEP 1 trial: People who stopped Wegovy regained about two-thirds of the weight they had lost within a year.
STEP 4 trial: Participants who switched from Wegovy to placebo (an injection with no medication) regained nearly 7% of their body weight in 48 weeks (11 months).
This rebound effect can be frustrating, but it’s not unusual for weight-loss medications. The body naturally tries to restore lost weight when the treatment is stopped.
Why do you regain weight after stopping Wegovy?
Rebound weight gain can happen for several reasons — and they’re not unique to Wegovy. Most of it comes down to how the body adapts to weight loss and the biological changes that Wegovy helps regulate. Here’s why weight often comes back:
Hormonal changes: Wegovy mimics a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). GLP-1 helps reduce appetite, slow digestion, and increase feelings of fullness. It also counteracts ghrelin (the “hunger hormone”) and works alongside leptin (the “fullness hormone”). Without Wegovy, hunger hormones rise and appetite returns.
Metabolic adaptation: After weight loss, your body becomes more efficient and burns fewer calories at rest. This can make maintaining weight loss harder.
Behavioral shifts: Without Wegovy affecting your appetite, it may be more difficult to stick to eating the way you had been during treatment.
When you stop Wegovy, its effects don’t continue. This can make it easier to eat more and gain weight — even without making changes to your routine.
Do you need to taper off Wegovy?
No, you don’t need to taper off Wegovy from a safety perspective. It’s not required to gradually reduce your dose before stopping the medication.
However, there’s some evidence that tapering off Wegovy may help offset potential rebound weight gain. Slowly decreasing the dose over several weeks may help your body adjust gradually to less medication. But this approach should be paired with lifestyle changes, including a balanced diet and regular exercise.
If you’re considering stopping Wegovy, talk to your prescriber. They may recommend a personalized tapering schedule or advise stopping the medication right away, depending on your specific situation.
Real stories: Three people share what it’s like to stop taking Wegovy (semaglutide) for weight loss.
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Do you have to take Wegovy forever?
The short answer: You might. If you want to maintain the weight you’ve lost, you’ll typically need to use Wegovy long term. Studies have shown that most people regain weight after stopping Wegovy, especially if lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough to maintain weight loss.
If Wegovy is working well for you and there’s no medical reason to stop, your prescriber may advise staying on it long term. They may also recommend staying on Wegovy if you’re using it to protect your heart, since it can lower the risk of serious cardiovascular problems. You may lose this benefit if you stop the medication.
Think of Wegovy as a long-term tool for weight management, not a quick fix. Before starting treatment, it’s a good idea to talk to your healthcare team about:
How long you might stay on the medication
What might happen if you stop Wegovy
What ongoing support or monitoring will look like
Being informed and setting realistic expectations up front can help you make the best decision for your health.
Can you keep weight off after stopping Wegovy?
It’s possible, but it takes effort and planning. To maintain weight loss after stopping Wegovy, you’ll likely need to commit to long-term lifestyle changes. This includes:
Following a balanced, calorie-conscious eating plan that focuses on whole foods, lean protein, fiber, and healthy fats
Exercising regularly, including aerobic activity (such as walking, jogging, or cycling) and strength training
Prioritizing sleep (7 to 9 hours per night) and managing stress, which can impact appetite and metabolism
Tracking meals and exercise, such as through food journaling or health apps, to stay accountable
Even with the best habits, some weight regain can still happen. But healthy routines can help minimize rebound weight gain and make it easier to get back on track if needed.
When should you stop taking Wegovy?
You should stop Wegovy if you and your prescriber determine it’s necessary. This may be due to situations beyond your control or a personal choice. Your prescriber might also recommend stopping Wegovy (or switching to a different GLP-1) if you’re not reaching your treatment goals after a certain amount of time.
Some reasons people may need to stop Wegovy include:
Persistent or severe side effects: These may include nausea, vomiting, or digestive issues that don’t improve over time.
Medical complications: Rare but serious issues such as pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), gallbladder problems, or vision changes may require stopping treatment.
Pregnancy or if you’re planning to become pregnant: Wegovy typically shouldn’t be used during pregnancy. So it’s recommended to stop using it at least 2 months before trying to conceive.
Insurance or access issues: If you lose coverage or are having difficulty affording the medication, your prescriber may help you explore alternatives.
No matter the reason, talk to your prescriber before stopping Wegovy. They can help you weigh the risks and benefits and guide you through what to expect during the transition.
Can you stop and restart Wegovy?
Yes, but it’s not as simple as picking up where you left off.
If you’ve been off Wegovy for more than a few weeks, your prescriber will likely recommend starting at a lower dose and working back up to your previous dose. This helps your body readjust and reduces the risk of side effects.
Tell your healthcare team if you’re thinking about restarting Wegovy. They can walk you through the safest way to do so.
Frequently asked questions
Wegovy stays in your body for about 5 to 7 weeks after your last dose. But the effects begin to wear off sooner, typically within the first few weeks.
It’s best to use Wegovy every week, as directed. But skipping a week isn’t typically a big deal. If you just happened to forget your weekly dose, inject it when you remember — as long as your next scheduled dose is at least 48 hours (2 days) away. If it’s within 48 hours, skip your missed dose and resume your normal schedule.
Wegovy can slow stomach emptying and increase feelings of fullness. If you eat more than usual, you’re likely to feel uncomfortably full. You may also have symptoms such as bloating, heartburn, or even vomiting, especially if you continue eating after feeling full.
To avoid these effects, it’s best to eat slowly, pay close attention to your body, and try to stop eating before you feel completely full. This is especially true if you’re new to Wegovy and are still figuring out portion sizes.
The bottom line
Wegovy (semaglutide) is an effective weight-loss medication. But stopping it often leads to rebound weight gain, especially without ongoing lifestyle changes. It’s designed for long-term use, and many people benefit from staying on it for extended periods.
If you’re thinking about stopping Wegovy, talk to your prescriber first. They can help you understand what to expect, recommend next steps, and support your weight management goals.
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References
European Association for the Study of Obesity. (2024). Is coming off semaglutide slowly the key to preventing weight regain?
Ronveaux, C. C., et al. (2015). Glucagon-like peptide 1 interacts with ghrelin and leptin to regulate glucose metabolism and food intake through vagal afferent neuron signaling. The Journal of Nutrition.
Rubino, D., et al. (2021). Effect of continued weekly subcutaneous semaglutide vs placebo on weight loss maintenance in adults with overweight or obesity: The STEP 4 randomized clinical trial. JAMA.
Sumithran, P., et al. (2011). Long-term persistence of hormonal adaptations to weight loss. 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.
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