Can you take Ozempic (semaglutide) for the rest of your life?

From the Guidelines

Ozempic (semaglutide) can be taken long-term or potentially for life in patients with type 2 diabetes or obesity requiring ongoing management. The medication is designed for chronic use, and clinical trials have followed patients using it for several years with continued effectiveness, as seen in the STEP trials which showed significant weight loss and improvement in weight-related comorbidities 1. The typical maintenance dose ranges from 0.5 mg to 2 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly, depending on the condition being treated and individual response.

If you stop taking Ozempic, weight regain and worsening blood sugar control often occur, highlighting the need for continued treatment, as shown in the STEP 1 and STEP 3 trials where participants regained significant amounts of weight after cessation of semaglutide 1. However, long-term use should always be supervised by a healthcare provider who can monitor for side effects, adjust dosing as needed, and periodically reassess the benefit-risk profile. Some patients may eventually be able to reduce their dose or transition to other treatments if they achieve significant lifestyle changes or if their metabolic health improves substantially.

The medication works by mimicking GLP-1, a hormone that regulates blood sugar and appetite, making it effective for ongoing management of conditions that are typically chronic and progressive in nature. According to the AGA clinical practice guideline on pharmacological interventions for adults with obesity, semaglutide 2.4 mg may be prioritized over other approved anti-obesity medications for the long-term treatment of obesity for most patients due to its glucoregulatory benefits and approval for the treatment of type 2 diabetes 1. Additionally, a recent study published in Diabetes Care in 2025 highlights the importance of considering the effects of glucose-lowering medications on weight, and semaglutide is noted for its high efficacy in terms of glucose lowering as well as weight loss 1.

Key points to consider:

• Ozempic is designed for chronic use and has been shown to be effective in long-term clinical trials.
• The medication should be used under the supervision of a healthcare provider to monitor for side effects and adjust dosing as needed.
• Semaglutide has glucoregulatory benefits and is approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, making it a prioritized option for the long-term treatment of obesity.
• Lifestyle modifications, including diet and physical activity, are essential components of obesity management and should be used in conjunction with pharmacological interventions.

From the FDA Drug Label

8.5 Geriatric Use In the pool of placebo- and active-controlled glycemic control trials, 744 (23.6%) OZEMPIC-treated patients were 65 years of age and over and 102 OZEMPIC-treated patients (3.2%) patients were 75 years of age and over. No overall differences in safety or efficacy were detected between these patients and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.

The FDA drug label does not provide information on the long-term use of Ozempic (semaglutide) for the rest of a patient's life. However, it does mention that no overall differences in safety or efficacy were detected in patients 65 years of age and over, and 75 years of age and over, compared to younger patients.

• Key points:
  • The label does not address lifelong use.
  • Patients older than 65 years were included in clinical trials.
  • No significant differences were found, but individual sensitivity may vary 2.

From the Research

Long-Term Use of Ozempic (Semaglutide)

• The long-term efficacy and safety of semaglutide for weight loss in patients without diabetes have been demonstrated in several studies 3, 4.
• A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that semaglutide was associated with substantial decreases in long-term relative and absolute body weight compared to placebo 4.
• The use of semaglutide was also associated with a higher risk of gastrointestinal adverse events, but the majority of these events were transient and mild-to-moderate in severity 3, 4.

Duration of Treatment

• The duration of treatment with semaglutide in the included studies ranged from 68 weeks to several years 3, 4.
• One study found that semaglutide was effective for sustained weight loss over a period of 68 weeks 3.
• Another study found that semaglutide was associated with substantial decreases in long-term relative and absolute body weight compared to placebo, with a follow-up of at least 68 weeks 4.

Safety and Tolerability

• The safety and tolerability of semaglutide have been evaluated in several studies 5, 6, 7, 3, 4.
• The most common adverse events associated with semaglutide were gastrointestinal disorders, such as nausea and diarrhea 5, 6, 7, 3, 4.
• However, the majority of these events were transient and mild-to-moderate in severity, and did not require treatment discontinuation 3, 4.

Efficacy

• The efficacy of semaglutide for weight loss has been demonstrated in several studies 5, 6, 7, 3, 4.
• One study found that semaglutide was associated with a mean change in body weight from baseline to week 68 of -14.9% compared to -2.4% with placebo 3.
• Another study found that semaglutide was associated with substantial decreases in long-term relative and absolute body weight compared to placebo, with a follow-up of at least 68 weeks 4.