Can you stay on Ozempic for life?
Asked by: Bridie Bosco | Last update: August 7, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (14 votes)
Can you take Ozempic long term?
Ozempic isn't FDA-approved for weight loss, so there's no set time limit for taking it. It'll depend on things like your starting weight, goal weight, medical history, lifestyle interventions, and how well you tolerate the drug. Long-term Ozempic use seems safe.
Do you have to take Ozempic for the rest of your life?
Treatment with drugs like Ozempic requires life-long commitment, as discontinuing the medication often leads to weight regain. Patients may face side effects, including nausea, reflux, abdominal cramping, delayed gastric emptying, and constipation, which might affect their ability or willingness to continue treatment.
Can you ever get off of Ozempic?
While it is possible to stop and restart Ozempic, you may regain some of the weight lost during treatment. Working alongside a doctor, dietitian, or personal trainer can help prevent regaining your weight.
How long should you be on Ozempic for weight loss?
According to clinical trials looking at the effects of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic®, people lose an average of around 5% body weight between weeks 6-12 of taking the drug. But to get the most benefit out of semaglutide, scientific research suggests that you need to be taking it for at least a year.
This is what happens when you stop taking Ozempic
Do you ever stop losing weight on Ozempic?
Drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy eventually reach a weight loss plateau, beyond which further weight loss slows or stops. Like any other healthy weight loss method, the body eventually settles at an appropriate weight, which may or may not correspond with that person's weight loss goals.
Will I regain weight after stopping Ozempic?
When you stop taking Ozempic or other semaglutide medications, you should expect your appetite to significantly increase. With a bigger appetite, weight regain is common.
What is the biggest side effect of Ozempic?
Ozempic side effects are typically mild and short-term, resolving within a few days to weeks. Nausea is the most common side effect, which generally subsides as a person's body adjusts to the medication. In some instances, however, the side effects may last much longer, including after discontinuing the drug.
How much is Ozempic without insurance?
Ozempic costs $950 to $1,029 without insurance, depending on the pharmacy you use. The price is usually the same for all of the different strength pens.
How did Kelly Clarkson lose so much weight?
Kelly Clarkson's weight loss was motivated by health concerns, including autoimmune and thyroid conditions. She combined diet changes, such as adopting a lectin-free diet, with regular exercise like walking. Clarkson's journey included using weight loss medication, although she emphasized a holistic approach.
What happens to your brain on Ozempic?
Semaglutide – widely known as Ozempic or Wegovy – does not appear to negatively impact brain health and is associated with lower risk of cognitive problems and less nicotine dependence, according to a new study.
What is the strongest weight loss prescription pill?
Some of the strongest weight loss pills available today include: Naltrexone/bupropion (brand name Contrave) Phentermine/topiramate (brand name Qsymia) Orlistat (brand names Xenical, Alli)
Is Kelly Clarkson on Ozempic?
The singer and daytime talk show host revealed she's used a weight-loss drug to help her lose weight — but it's not Ozempic. When it comes to Kelly Clarkson's weight loss journey, the singer has been open with fans about how she's changed her lifestyle in recent years.
How did Oprah lose weight?
Oprah's transformation with Semaglutide
Recently, Oprah discussed Semaglutide as a weight reduction treatment. She shared some of the medication's incredible results with a talk show host and called it a weight loss revolution. She said Semaglutide was different from most diet programs she had tried in the past.
Is Ozempic safe for life?
Health care providers may consider Ozempic a lifelong treatment, so it is important to discuss potential side effects with your doctor if you are going to stop taking semaglutide.
What happens if you eat sugar while taking Ozempic?
Jared Braunstein, DO, an internist with Medical Offices of Manhattan and contributor to LabFinder, says he advises patients not to eat high-sugar foods and drinks while taking Ozempic for two reasons: It can cause nausea and vomiting, and it can also contribute to weight gain, which can lead to diabetes complications ...
How fast can I lose 20 lbs on semaglutide?
How fast you can lose 20 lbs on semaglutide (Wegovy) depends on your starting weight and other factors. If you weigh 232 lbs at the start of Wegovy treatment, you can expect to lose 20 lbs in around 16-20 weeks (4-5 months).
Can you stay on Ozempic forever?
Ozempic and its sister medication, Wegovy — approved for weight loss for people who are obese or overweight with weight-related medical conditions — are considered long-term or lifelong treatments.
Does Ozempic cause hair loss?
Official answer. There's no evidence that hair loss is a direct side effect of Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro or Zepbound. Hair loss is more likely due to the stress of rapid weight loss on your body, which can lead to temporary shedding of hair over several months, a condition known as telogen effluvium.
Is Mounjaro better than Ozempic?
Several studies have shown that Mounjaro is more effective than Ozempic for blood sugar control and weight loss. In the SURPASS-2 trial, tirzepatide outperformed semaglutide in reducing A1C levels.
Can I eat bananas on Ozempic?
Specific foods to avoid include sweets, baked goods, sugary cereals, sodas, juices, flavoured yogurts, candy, ice cream, honey, agave nectar, maple syrup, jams, fruit smoothies, dried fruit and certain fresh fruits like mangoes, grapes, cherries, bananas, pineapple and watermelon.
Does Ozempic age you?
The loss of facial fat from Ozempic can lead to sagging skin, a hollowed-out appearance, and increased wrinkling that makes people look prematurely aged.
Where should you not inject Ozempic?
According to Ozempic's manufacturer, you should inject your dose under the skin (subcutaneously) on your stomach, thigh, or upper arm. Avoid injecting it into damaged, swollen, or scarred areas of your skin. Don't inject Ozempic into your muscle or vein.