Stopping Ozempic: what are the consequences?

Drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Saxenda remain popular with people who want to lose weight. However, many also seem to stop taking them after a while, often because of unpleasant side effects or because the drugs are difficult to obtain. But what happens to your weight when you stop taking the drug?

Also read: Is diabetes drug Ozempic a miracle cure for fast weight loss?

What happens if you stop taking Ozempic or Saxenda?

The active substance in the diabetes drug Ozempic is semaglutide, in the obesity drug Saxenda it is liraglutide. Both substances stimulate the level of the hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) in your body. This hormone stimulates the release of insulin. GLP-1 drugs help lower blood sugar levels and slow stomach emptying, making people feel full for longer.

When a person takes an Ozempic-like medication, they can eat less without the body going into starvation mode. As soon as the person stops taking the medication, their body will see the calorie deficit as a sign of malnutrition and will try to regain the weight. This can mean that the person’s appetite returns and their metabolism slows down again.

Any behaviors the person experienced before taking the drug, whether it’s an insatiable appetite or high blood sugar, are likely to return. A study from Copenhagen shows that most people who stop taking Saxenda weigh the same after one year as they did when they started the medication.

Also read: Can you buy Ozempic in Belgium without a prescription?

Also read: Anti-obesity drug Saxenda: limited effect and risk of side effects

How can you maintain weight loss?

According to the Copenhagen researchers, there is something you can do to (partially) maintain weight loss: exercise.

The study involved four groups: group one was given Saxenda for a year. Group two was given Saxenda and workouts. Group three only performed workouts. Group four was a placebo group. “Those who only used Saxenda lost fat mass and muscle,” says professor of endocrinology Roman Vangoitsenhoven (UZ Leuven). “As soon as that group stopped taking Saxenda, the participants regained fat. It was also very difficult for them to build muscle again.”

“When group two stopped taking Saxenda but continued exercising, the subjects also experienced weight gain, but not nearly as much as those who only took Saxenda,” the professor said.

Also read: After Ozempic: diabetes drug Mounjaro gives even more weight loss

How often should you exercise to maintain weight loss?

Even by exercising moderately for half an hour three times a week, you can keep the lost kilos off. What moderate exercise exactly means depends on the condition of a person. It comes down to sweating profusely three times a week.

Most sports are suitable for this: cardio sports such as running are very good, but interval training or strength training also have a positive effect on your health and weight.

It is also important to pay attention to your diet. Taking in sufficient proteins is an important part of this. While taking Ozempic or Saxenda, you have eaten fewer calories. This usually translates into fewer carbohydrates, fats and proteins. But eating sufficient proteins is necessary to maintain muscle mass. Both while taking Ozempic or Saxenda and afterwards.

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