Tropical Weight Loss
Photo by Annushka Ahuja Pexels Logo Photo: Annushka Ahuja

Can you just stop taking Ozempic for weight loss?

What happens when you stop taking Ozempic®? Weight loss caused by GLP-1 agonist drugs is not always permanent. In clinical trials, people who stopped taking semaglutide regained the majority of their prior weight loss with a year.

poison.org - Can Ozempic® Help Me Lose Weight? - Poison Control
Can a burn heal in 10 days?
Can a burn heal in 10 days?

First-degree burns generally heal on their own in 10 to 20 days if no infection develops. In rare cases, first-degree burns spread more deeply to...

Read More »
Last updated Mar 4, 2021
How do you get rid of cortisol belly fat naturally?
How do you get rid of cortisol belly fat naturally?

You can reduce cortisol belly fat by reducing your cortisol levels. Do this by reducing your stress, getting enough sleep, and living in sync with...

Read More »
Last updated Jun 23, 2019

What is obesity?

Obesity is a chronic health condition that affects an increasing number of people worldwide. In the United States, more than 70% of adults are overweight (often defined as having a BMI of 25-29 kg/m2), and more than 40% have obesity (BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2). Complications of obesity include diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, anxiety, depression, and a reduced life expectancy. Because modest weight reduction can reduce many of these complications, scientists have developed prescription medications to help obese and overweight individuals achieve better weight control and have healthier, longer lives.

What are weight loss medications?

Since the 1990’s, multiple prescription medications have been evaluated and approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight management in overweight or obese individuals. Some of these drugs were better known for their undesirable side effects than for their weight loss benefits. Orlistat (Xenical®), which was approved by the FDA in 1999, was associated with oily rectal leakage, gassiness, or abnormal bowel movements. Lorcaserin (Belviq®), approved by the FDA in 2012, was withdrawn from the market in 2020 due to concerns that it caused cancer. There are also several so-called “weight loss supplements.” Unlike prescription and over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

What are some new weight loss medications?

In 2014, the FDA approved liraglutide (Saxenda®) for chronic weight management in obese or overweight adults with weight-related medical conditions, and the FDA expanded the approval age range to those aged 12 and older in 2020. In 2021, the FDA approved semaglutide (Wegovy®) for chronic weight management in obese or overweight adults with high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or high cholesterol.

What are Ozempic®, Saxenda®, and Rybelsus®?

Liraglutide (Saxenda®, Victoza®) and semaglutide (Wegovy®, Ozempic®, Rybelsus®) belong to the “GLP-1 receptor agonist” class of drugs. GLP-1 is a hormone produced by the body in response to food intake. GLP-1 agonist drugs help the body make higher levels of GLP-1, which in turn can affect hunger, food intake, and weight. Since GLP-1 also affects insulin release and blood sugar control, some GLP-1 agonist drugs are also used to treat diabetes mellitus. GLP-1 agonist drugs are available in both oral and injectable forms. Rybelsus® is an oral formulation of semaglutide, while Wegovy® and Ozempic® are injectable. Saxenda® and Victoza® are injectable versions of liraglutide.

Ozempic® vs Wegovy®

How do you trigger a fat burning hormone?
How do you trigger a fat burning hormone?

Turning on your fat burning hormones Calorie intake and nutritional habits – be mindful of what you're eating; check out our article on the...

Read More »
Last updated Mar 3, 2022
Which is more effective for weight loss Ozempic or Wegovy?
Which is more effective for weight loss Ozempic or Wegovy?

Clinical trials of Wegovy® 2.4 mg showed average weight loss of 15.8% after 68 weeks. With Ozempic®, clinical trials showed an average 6% reduction...

Read More »
Last updated Jan 14, 2019

Ozempic®, Wegovy®, and Rybelsus® all contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide. However, the drugs are dosed differently, and are prescribed for treatment of different conditions. Ozempic® and Rybelsus® are only approved to improve blood sugar control in adults with diabetes, while Wegovy® is approved for weight management.

Table: common GLP-1 agonist prescription medications

Brand Name Generic Name Formulation Ozempic® semaglutide injection (0.25-2 mg per injection) Wegovy® semaglutide injection (0.25-2.4 mg per injection) Rybelsus® semaglutide oral (3, 7, and 14 mg tablets) Saxenda® liraglutide injection (0.6-3 mg per injection) Victoza® liraglutide injection (0.6-1.8 mg per injection)

How does Ozempic® work?

Ozempic® is not insulin, and acts on the body differently than insulin does. Because of their effects on food intake, members of the GLP-1 class of drugs, including semaglutide and liraglutide, have many potential effects in the human body that affect hunger and weight. These drugs slow the rate at which food is transferred from the stomach to the intestines (called “gastric emptying”), which enhances the feeling of a full stomach. The drugs also pass through the bloodstream into the brain, where they act on the nervous system to decrease both food intake and appetite.

Can you use Ozempic® for weight loss?

Ozempic® is approved by the FDA to improve blood sugar control and reduce risk of heart disease in diabetic patients. While Ozempic® is not currently FDA approved for use as a weight loss drug, many studies have investigated the effects of GLP-1 agonist drugs on weight loss. In a 2009 study that evaluated the weight-loss effects of liraglutide versus Orlistat® or placebo, individuals who used liraglutide lost, on average, 11-16 pounds (4.8-7.2 kilograms) over 20 weeks. In a 68-week trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine in March 2021, obese or overweight adults who took semaglutide had a 15% decrease on body weight, and also experienced improvements in physical function and risk factors for heart disease. The results of one study suggest that injectable semaglutide is more effective in promoting weight loss than oral liraglutide.

What happens when you stop taking Ozempic®?

How many eggs should you eat?
How many eggs should you eat?

The American Heart Association recommends up to one egg a day for most people, fewer for people with high blood cholesterol, especially those with...

Read More »
Last updated Jul 26, 2019
What depletes serotonin in the brain?
What depletes serotonin in the brain?

It's known that tryptophan depletion is seen in those with mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Research has also shown that when you...

Read More »
Last updated Jun 25, 2022

Weight loss caused by GLP-1 agonist drugs is not always permanent. In clinical trials, people who stopped taking semaglutide regained the majority of their prior weight loss with a year. In addition, those who stopped taking semaglutide also experienced increases in blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, suggesting that continued use of the medication is needed to maintain both weight loss and reduction in risk factors for heart disease.

Is semaglutide (Ozempic®) safe?

GLP-1 agonist drugs, including semaglutide (Wegovy®, Ozempic®, Rybelsus®), and liraglutide (Saxenda®), are generally well tolerated and are not associated with significant unwanted side effects. Common adverse effects of these medications include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

Does insurance cover Ozempic®?

While semaglutide (Wegovy®, Ozempic®, Rybelsus®), and liraglutide (Saxenda®) are approved by the FDA, individual insurance coverage policies for these medications can vary.

What do I do if I had a bad reaction to, or took too much, semaglutide (Wegovy®, Ozempic®, Rybelsus®), or liraglutide (Saxenda®)?

If you took too much or have unwanted or unexpected side effects after use of GLP-1 agonist drugs such as liraglutide (Saxenda®) and semaglutide (Wegovy®, Ozempic®, Rybelsus®), reach out to Poison Control immediately to find out what to do. Get a fast personalized recommendation online or call 1-800-222-1222. Both options are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.

Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD

Medical Toxicologist

For media inquiries, please contact Krista Osterthaler at osterthaler@poison.org.

poison.org - Can Ozempic® Help Me Lose Weight? - Poison Control
What dress size do men find most attractive?
What dress size do men find most attractive?

The majority of the men (nearly 86% of them) preferred a woman with a dress size 14 to 16. Jun 17, 2019

Read More »
Last updated May 5, 2018
Why do I feel like I have to poop but nothing comes out?
Why do I feel like I have to poop but nothing comes out?

Rectal tenesmus, or tenesmus, is a feeling of being unable to empty the large bowel, even if there is no remaining stool to expel. Several medical...

Read More »
Last updated Sep 1, 2021
What helps get caffeine out of your system?
What helps get caffeine out of your system?

Drink lots of water, take a walk, practice deep breathing and wait it out. If you experience significant symptoms, go to the emergency room. Feb...

Read More »
Last updated Jun 30, 2021
How to lose 2lbs a week?
How to lose 2lbs a week?

Generally to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week, you need to burn 500 to 1,000 calories more than you consume each day, through a lower calorie diet and...

Read More »
Last updated Jul 7, 2021