How long can you lose weight with Ozempic? One trial found that after 2 years on semaglutide, patients were still losing weight [5]. Although there is technically no limit to how long you can take Ozempic weekly, at Juniper, our prescribers mostly recommend sticking with the program for at least a year.
Like many drugs, the effects don't last after patients go off them, so people tend to regain most of the weight they lost if they stop taking the medication. Grunvald said many patients are under the false impression that they can stop taking Ozempic or Wegovy after they hit their goal weight.
You may need a higher dosage of Ozempic
(With time, these side effects lessen or go away as your body gets used to Ozempic.) The same holds true for Ozempic's weight loss results. People taking higher doses of Ozempic tend to lose more weight.
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, can be a powerful tool for promoting weight loss and treating diabetes. It's been hailed as a “miracle” weight loss drug for people living with obesity. But, as with many medications, it only works for as long as it's used.
Type 2 diabetes is long-term (chronic) disease and medications are used for maintenance treatment. The full beneficial effects of Ozempic on your heart require you to take your medication on a long-term basis.
You start feeling those usual hunger pangs again, and consequently, you may start eating more to satisfy that hunger. An increase in your consumption can lead to the regaining of weight that was lost. A 2022 study found that most individuals gain weight back a year after stopping the medication.
Prior to first use (until expiration date): Ozempic® should be refrigerated at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). After first use (up to 56 days): Ozempic® should be stored at room temperature 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C) or refrigerated at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).
Ozempic helps reduce cravings and suppress appetite, which helps you consume fewer calories. Each person has a different starting weight, metabolic weight and possibly even different underlying health conditions.
Aim for foods and drinks that do not quickly raise or lower blood sugar. This helps keep your blood sugar steady and lets Ozempic (and other diabetes medications) work to their best ability. It's also a good idea to stick to lower fat, non-greasy foods because these are less likely to irritate the gut.
It's important to note that if you start taking either of these drugs for weight loss, your body may get used to it, establishing a new normal. This can cause your weight to plateau. Research has shown that if you stop taking Ozempic (or Wegovy), it's likely that you will gain back the weight you lost.
About a third of people who take Ozempic for weight loss will lose 10% or more of their body weight. Most people should expect to lose at least 5% of their starting body weight when using Ozempic for weight loss.
What should you do if you take too much Ozempic? If you take too much Ozempic, you may experience nausea and/or vomiting. You may also have other stomach-related side effects, such as bloating or abdominal pain. Too much Ozempic can also lead to low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).
Ozempic® Dosing
Ozempic® is taken once a week, exactly as prescribed by your health care provider, along with diet and exercise, to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. The beginning dose is 0.25 mg once a week for the first 4 weeks. This will help give your body a chance to get used to the medicine.
After first use, Ozempic can be left unrefrigerated at room temperature (59°F to 86°F) for up to 56 days. The pen should be disposed of after 56 days, even if there is medicine remaining in the pen. If left unrefrigerated before first use, you should contact your pharmacist or healthcare provider.
If have maxed the dose available for Ozempic and are not seeing weight loss, it is possible that your body will respond better to a higher dose and Ozempic may not be the proper solution for your weight loss goals.
High fat foods or sugary foods
Ozempic can cause nausea and vomiting if taken after eating foods high in fat or sugar.
A person can stay on Ozempic® so long as they are tolerating the medication and it is deemed appropriate by their treating provider. There is no specific time frame when someone should stop taking Ozempic as it is a medication that is intended for chronic (long-term) use.
Ozempic isn't approved for weight loss. But because of how it works, some people taking Ozempic lose weight as a side effect. If you don't have diabetes, taking Ozempic for weight loss is considered an off-label use. Wegovy, a higher-dose version of Ozempic, is approved to help people manage their weight.
For Ozempic, the peak time is about 2-4 days after the first dose and around 4 weeks after regular dosing. The peak time refers to the time at which the medication reaches its highest concentration in the body.
So, on average, with the recommended starting Ozempic dose of 0.25 mg, a 500 to 1000 calorie reduced diet, and exercise 3 times a week, you can expect to lose 3-5 pounds in the first month of treatment, which works out to about 3% of body weight for most overweight or obese individuals.
Can I drink alcohol while using Ozempic? The short answer is yes: you can drink alcohol while taking Ozempic. In the U.S., where Ozempic is created and distributed from, the Food and Drug Administration has not provided any specific disclaimers on mixing Ozempic and alcohol [1].
Other serious side effects of Ozempic include thyroid tumors, pancreatitis, changes in vision, hypoglycemia, gallbladder issues, kidney failure and cancer. The most severe complications Shah sees in her patients are pancreatitis and gallbladder issues — either can lead to hospitalization.
A dose of 0.5 to 1 mg per week (double the maximum approved diabetes dose) seems to provide the maximum weight loss benefits for many people using Ozempic off-label.