What happens if you go without Ozempic?

Asked by: Laverne Gislason  |  Last update: October 8, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (31 votes)

The Takeaway. Ozempic and related GLP-1 drugs stay in the body for more than one week, so missing or delaying one dose is unlikely to have significant immediate side effects. Eventually, the drug's effects will begin to wear off, which should cause your hunger to return.

How many days can I go without Ozempic?

If you miss a dose of Ozempic®, use it as soon as possible within 5 days after your missed dose. If you miss a dose for more than 5 days, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. If you miss a dose of Wegovy®, and the next scheduled dose is more than 2 days away, use it as soon as possible.

What happens when you quit Ozempic?

Ozempic is injected once a week. So about a week after stopping the medicine, you will start to notice that your hunger and cravings will return. You won't feel as full for as long. While Ozempic doesn't usually have withdrawal symptoms, people with type 2 diabetes may experience high blood sugar levels.

What happens if you don t take Ozempic?

Treatment with drugs like Ozempic requires life-long commitment, as discontinuing the medication often leads to weight regain.

What happens if you skip semaglutide for a week?

Weekly Dosage and Effectiveness

Semaglutide is administered via a weekly injection, with a half-life of approximately one week. If you miss your weekly dose, the medication's effectiveness will decrease during that missed week. However, once you restart the medication, you can quickly get back on track.

This is what happens when you stop taking Ozempic

38 related questions found

What happens if I miss 2 weeks of Ozempic?

If you missed two or more weekly doses, however, it's time to get in touch with your healthcare provider. They may write you a prescription for a smaller dosage, and ask you to slowly work your way back up.

How much weight can you lose on Ozempic in 3 months?

After taking Ozempic® for three months

In a study of 175 people with a mean BMI of 41.3, the average weight loss in people who didn't have type 2 diabetes was 6.3% body weight after taking semaglutide for 12 weeks.

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 long does Ozempic stay in your system?

For most people, Ozempic can stay in your system for around 5 weeks after your last dose. However, the time period may be different if you don't have diabetes. You may be told to stop taking Ozempic at least 1 week before surgery to avoid potential complications.

Can I stop and restart Ozempic?

If you wish to restart Ozempic, it is important to do so under the supervision of a healthcare professional. They will prescribe a dose that you increase gradually to prevent severe side effects.

What causes Ozempic face?

What causes Ozempic face? Ozempic face is primarily caused by rapid weight loss, not by the medication itself. The contributing factors include: Facial fat loss: Weight loss affects fat throughout the body, including the face, leading to a loss of volume and support under the skin.

What happens if I stop taking Ozempic for one week?

After someone stops taking Ozempic, they may experience changes in blood sugar, changes in appetite, and weight gain.

Why do I feel so bad on semaglutide?

Because semaglutide slows down the digestive process, it can cause gastrointestinal side effects that you might not be used to. Some of the most common side effects of semaglutide include: Nausea. Vomiting.

What drugs should not be taken with Ozempic?

What drugs should not be taken with Ozempic?
  • Other diabetes treatments, including insulin medications and oral medications that can lower blood glucose. ...
  • Antimalarials such as chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine. ...
  • Anticoagulants such as warfarin. ...
  • Antibiotics such as clarithromycin.

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).

Is Ozempic hard on the body?

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.

How long does it take to lose 30lbs on Ozempic?

Some people lose much more weight on Ozempic than the average, with reports of up to 30 pounds lost in 26 weeks. However, it's important not to compare your results to anyone else's. As long as the scale moves in the right direction, you should be happy with any improvements you make.

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.

Where is the best place to inject Ozempic?

The best places on your body to inject Ozempic® are the front of your thighs, the front of your waist (abdomen) or your upper arms. It is recommended that you rotate your injection site each time you inject. After 4 weeks, your dose should be increased to 0.5 mg once a week, unless otherwise informed by your doctor.

How often do you poop on Ozempic?

Ozempic encourages the body to make more insulin. This is great for managing blood sugar levels. But insulin also slows down how fast the gut moves, which means people poop less often. Taken together, people can end up with hard, infrequent, and painful stools.

What happens if I miss a week of Ozempic?

If someone only misses one weekly injection, it might be alright for them to take their next dose as usual, Buse said. But for people who have missed three or more weeks, they'll likely need to start up again on a lower dose to avoid the side effects and readjust to the medication being in their system.

Can you drink alcohol on Ozempic?

You may be wondering if you can drink during Ozempic treatment. There's no direct interaction between using Ozempic and consuming alcohol. However, alcohol can lower or raise your blood sugar level. This means alcohol could make Ozempic not work as well as usual.