How To Not Gain Weight After Stopping Ozempic: A Guide to Keeping Weight Off After GLP-1s

Semaglutides are a safe and effective medication for people with type 2 diabetes to manage their symptoms and blood sugar levels, and they’re also helpful for people trying to lose weight and achieve a healthy weight. However, it can be tricky to know when and how to stop taking semaglutides, especially when weight regain is a common side effect of stopping.

If you are currently taking a GLP-1 and want to know the best ways to stop taking the medication and what sort of side effects you may encounter while doing so, here is everything you need to know about how to stop taking semaglutides and achieve long-term success afterwards.

What is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is one of several GLP-1 receptor agonists, also known as GLP-1 RAs. GLP-1s mimic natural glucagon-like peptide 1 hormones that are produced in your body whenever you eat. The hormones, both natural and synthetic, help your body regulate blood sugar levels, release insulin, and make you feel full so you don’t overeat.

Semaglutides, and other GLP-1 medications like them, help promote feelings of satiety that reduce appetite and help prevent overeating

Semaglutide Options on the Market

The three most common name-brand semaglutide-based GLP-1 medications available are Ozempic, Wegovy, and Ryblesus, and all three drugs are manufactured by Novo Nordisk, a Danish pharmaceutical company. Ozempic and Rybelsus are FDA-approved for treating type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is FDA-approved for weight loss and weight management. These medications are also available as a generic form, which is just known by their active ingredient, semaglutide.

Understanding Semaglutides as Lifelong Medications

For most people, semaglutides are intended to be lifelong medications rather than temporary treatments. Both for managing type 2 diabetes and for weight management, these medications work best when taken continuously over the long term. Obesity is a chronic disease that often requires ongoing management, similar to other chronic diseases like hypertension or diabetes. Obesity pharmacotherapy, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, is often necessary for long-term weight management, and stopping these medications frequently results in weight regain. However, sometimes discontinuation may be necessary or preferable for people using the medication.

When Discontinuation May Be Necessary

While maintenance dosing is the ideal long-term strategy, there are practical realities that may lead some people to discontinue semaglutide:

• Financial constraints: Even with insurance, the cost of semaglutides can be substantial, and not everyone can afford long-term treatment
• Insurance coverage changes: Loss of insurance coverage or changes in formulary policies may make the medication inaccessible
• Side effect management: Some people experience persistent side effects that outweigh the benefits of continued use
• Life circumstances: Pregnancy planning, other health conditions, or medication interactions may require stopping the medication
• Personal preference: Some individuals may choose to discontinue and manage their health through lifestyle modifications alone

If you find yourself needing to stop semaglutide for any of these reasons, the strategies outlined in this guide can help you maintain your progress and minimize weight regain. Remember that discontinuing the medication doesn’t mean failure—it simply means you’ll need to rely more heavily on other tools like diet, exercise, and ongoing support from healthcare professionals. Working closely with a healthcare team, including an obesity medicine specialist, can help you develop a personalized plan for weight maintenance and effectively manage the process of stopping semaglutide.

The Maintenance Dose Approach

Rather than stopping semaglutide entirely once you reach your health goals, the recommended approach is transitioning to a maintenance dose. Continued weekly subcutaneous semaglutide can help maintain weight loss and metabolic benefits, and this ongoing treatment is often necessary for long-term success. A maintenance dose is a lower amount of medication that helps you sustain your results without the higher doses needed during the initial weight loss or blood sugar stabilization phase. This approach allows you to maintain the benefits of the medication—such as appetite regulation, improved blood sugar control, and sustained weight management—while minimizing potential side effects.

Working with your healthcare provider, you can find the lowest effective maintenance dose that keeps you at your target weight and health metrics. This individualized approach recognizes that weight management and diabetes are chronic conditions that often require ongoing support.

Is There a Chance of Regaining Weight After Stopping Semaglutide?

Weight regain after stopping semaglutide or any other GLP-1 receptor agonist is a very common side effect.

In a study done on more than 20,000 patients taking semaglutide who had lost at least five pounds while taking the medication, researchers compared participants’ weight to their baseline body weight and monitored changes in body mass index (BMI) over time. The study included both a semaglutide group and a placebo group to assess differences in weight regain and health outcomes. The results found that people were more likely to maintain their weight or continue losing weight early on after stopping semaglutide, but most people saw either partial or full weight regain over time.

Findings from one year after participants stopped taking semaglutide include

• 18% of study participants regained 100% or more of their lost weight.
• 26% of study participants regained 25 to 99% of their lost weight.
• 20% of study participants maintained their weight loss (stayed between 24% regain and 25% more loss)
• 17% of study participants lost an additional 26% to 100% of lost weight.
• 19% of study participants achieved more than 200% additional weight loss.

Additionally, findings from the Danish study suggest that gradual tapering of semaglutide may improve long-term weight maintenance outcomes.

3 Strategies to Help Prevent Weight Regain After Stopping Semaglutides

It can be difficult to keep weight off after stopping a semaglutide, but there are ways to combat the cycle of weight loss and regain that comes with weight loss medications or diets. Patients often face challenges such as emotional eating, which can be a psychological barrier to maintaining weight loss after discontinuing medication. Adopting healthy lifestyle behaviours—including balanced diet, regular exercise, and psychological support—can help patients maintain their weight loss and support long-term weight management.

1. Implement a Sustainable Diet

What you put into your body is immensely important for maintaining weight loss, and a sustainable diet and healthy eating habits are key. If you were following a particular diet while taking semaglutide, you may want to continue using it. Otherwise, try to prioritize protein and fiber, such as whole grains, to help yourself feel full and reduce the chance of snacking from hunger between meals.

2. Start an Exercise Routine

If you didn’t already adopt an exercise routine while you were on semaglutide, now is the time to establish one. If you aren’t keen on going to a gym, don’t worry. Even something simple like going on walks every day can be immensely helpful for helping keep weight off while also helping your body. To support long-term weight maintenance, aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise per week. Regular physical activity is necessary for your body’s overall health, not just how much you weigh.

3. Work With a Registered Dietitian

If you want support or ideas for things you can do to maintain weight loss, try speaking with a dietitian. Dietitians don’t just come up with meal plans. They can help you come up with actionable goals and strategies to maintain them, and having the support of another person can be very helpful for people trying to maintain weight loss.

How to Know If You Should Stop Taking Semaglutide

There are generally a few different times when you would know if you should stop taking semaglutide. The most obvious reason to stop taking semaglutide is if you experience severe or intolerable side effects that greatly affect your day-to-day life. Most semaglutide side effects are temporary, and most people tend to only encounter them at the beginning of taking semaglutide, but some people may encounter enduring side effects.

Another reason to stop taking semaglutide is if you’re taking the medication purely for weight loss and have reached your target weight. After the initial treatment phase, your doctor may recommend transitioning off the medication once your health goals are achieved. Once you are at your ideal body weight, your doctor may recommend starting the process of going off semaglutides.

Finally, another important reason to stop taking semaglutide is if you’re planning a pregnancy. Doctors recommend stopping semaglutide at least two months before a pregnancy, as being on a weight loss drug can be harmful for the fetus.

What Happens When You Stop Taking Semaglutide?

While you may think it’s as simple to get off Semaglutide as stopping taking your doses, quitting cold turkey isn’t recommended, especially for those with type 2 diabetes. Quitting semaglutide abruptly can lead to semaglutide withdrawal and other adverse effects. Stopping semaglutide may also impact cardiometabolic effects, including changes in metabolic health and cardiovascular risk factors.

Semaglutide Withdrawal

Stopping semaglutide abruptly can lead to semaglutide withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms can include

• Increased appetite
• Decreased satiety
• Elevated blood sugar levels
• Weight gain
• Elevated blood pressure and other cardiovascular changes

A study from a 2022 clinical trial that tested semaglutide treatment for weight loss found that participants had regained about two-thirds of their initial weight loss on average, and many patients also experienced raised blood pressure levels. Similar patterns of weight regain have been observed after stopping liraglutide, another GLP-1 receptor agonist, and continued exercise, especially weight-bearing activities, is recommended to help prevent rebound weight gain.

Hyperglycemia (raised blood sugar levels) can also come with its own symptoms that can be damaging, such as nausea and vomiting, dry mouth, and shortness of breath.

How to Stop Semaglutide Safely

The safest way to stop taking semaglutide is by tapering off your dose with your doctor’s knowledge. Your doctor will make a dosing schedule for you that will gradually decrease the size of your semaglutide treatment dose every several weeks, prescribing progressively lower doses until you can stop safely. It is important to stop slowly to help minimize the risk of regaining weight after discontinuing semaglutide. Your doctor may also recommend increasing the time between doses. For example, they may recommend waiting ten days between doses instead of the one week that’s standard for the medication.

It’s important to communicate with your doctor and follow their instructions while stopping semaglutide in case of any adverse effects.

Stop Taking Semaglutide Safely

Stopping semaglutide doesn’t mean your weight loss journey has to end if you’re ready to continue achieving weight loss. By focusing on sustainable habits like eating a balanced diet, regular exercise, and ongoing support, you can maintain your progress and avoid common setbacks like weight regain.

Remember, you don’t have to navigate this transition alone. Speaking with a registered dietitian can make a big difference in creating a personalized plan that works for you long-term. Ready to take the next step? Sign up today to speak with a registered dietitian at no cost to you and get the expert guidance you need to stay on track!

Semaglutide FAQ

What are the Other GLP-1 Receptor Agonists?

The two most common other GLP-1 RA medications are liraglutide (which includes Saxenda and Victoza) and Tirzepatide (which includes Mounjaro and Zepbound). While they’re all considered GLP-1 RAs, they all have different advantages and disadvantages, so if semaglutide isn’t working for you, try talking to your doctor about trying another one.

Can Taking Semaglutide Affect Other Medications I Take?

Yes. Semaglutide slows gastric emptying, which can delay the absorption of oral drugs, like certain antibiotics, thyroid medications, or even oral contraceptives. Combining semaglutide with other glucose‑lowering drugs can also increase the risk of hypoglycemia.

Can Taking Semaglutide Impact Mental Health or Mood?

Some people report changes in appetite, mood, or energy that could affect mood. While research is still limited, rapid weight loss can also create emotional changes. If you notice signs of depression, anxiety, or mood instability, it’s important to discuss these with your healthcare provider.

Is it Safe to Take Semaglutide During Pregnancy or While Trying to Get Pregnant?

No, current evidence suggests that it isn’t safe to take semaglutide during pregnancy or while trying to achieve pregnancy. Animal studies suggest possible risks such as fetal growth issues and structural abnormalities. Health authorities recommend discontinuing semaglutide at least two months before trying to conceive.

Does the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Increase After Stopping Semaglutide?

Stopping semaglutide can raise the risk of cardiovascular events when compared to staying on the treatment, especially in the case of weight gain. Stopping semaglutide can also lead to other health conditions, such as high blood pressure and raised blood sugar levels.