From the Guidelines
Approximately 25% or more of patients experience weight regain after stopping Ozempic, as weight regain occurs in 25% or more of participants at 2-year follow-up, according to a recent review on obesity management in adults 1.
Weight Regain After Stopping Ozempic
The exact percentage of patients who gain weight after stopping Ozempic is not explicitly stated in the provided evidence, but it is known that weight regain is a common issue after discontinuing antiobesity medications.
- A review on obesity management in adults published in JAMA in 2023 found that multicomponent behavioral interventions often produce 5% to 10% weight loss, although weight regain occurs in 25% or more of participants at 2-year follow-up 1.
- Another study published in the American Family Physician in 2004 found that prolonged pharmacotherapy confers some benefit but that its discontinuation may lead to rapid weight regain 1.
Strategies to Minimize Weight Regain
To minimize weight regain after stopping Ozempic, patients should implement a gradual transition plan including:
- Sustainable dietary changes, focusing on protein, fiber, and reduced processed foods
- Regular physical activity, such as 150+ minutes weekly
- Behavioral strategies like meal planning and stress management Some healthcare providers may consider transitioning patients to other weight management medications or implementing a tapering schedule rather than abrupt discontinuation. Regular follow-up with healthcare providers is essential to monitor weight changes and adjust strategies accordingly.
From the Research
Weight Regain After Stopping Ozempic
- The percentage of patients that gain weight after stopping Ozempic (semaglutide) is approximately two-thirds of their prior weight loss, according to the STEP 1 trial extension 2.
- After treatment withdrawal, semaglutide participants regained 11.6 percentage points of lost weight, resulting in a net loss of 5.6% from week 0 to week 120 2.
- Cardiometabolic improvements seen with semaglutide reverted towards baseline at week 120 for most variables, suggesting ongoing treatment is required to maintain improvements in weight and health 2.
Factors Associated with Weight Regain
- Pretreatment high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels were independently and significantly associated with greater weight reduction after weekly semaglutide treatment 3.
- A switch from other glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists was independently and significantly associated with lesser weight reduction after weekly semaglutide treatment 3.
Weight Loss with Semaglutide
- Semaglutide has demonstrated significant weight loss, with reductions of approximately 15% of initial weight at 68 weeks, accompanied by improvements in cardiovascular risk factors and physical functioning 4, 5.
- The estimated mean weight loss was -14.9% in the semaglutide group compared to -2.4% with placebo, for an estimated treatment difference of -12.4 percentage points 4.