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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 42% of Americans are obese, and 65% say willpower alone isn’t enough for most people who are trying to lose weight. While weight-loss aids have been around for decades, a new class of weight-loss drugs, including brands like Ozempic and Wegovy, has soared in popularity. Around one in eight American adults has used weight-loss drugs, but factors including cost, a shortage of medications, and side effects have made many people stop.
But what happens when you stop taking weight-loss drugs? Fortunately, this gallery contains all you need to know. Click on to discover more.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1) agonists, like Ozempic and Zepbound, manage blood sugar levels and were originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes.
GLP-1 drugs not only manage blood sugar levels but can also help people reduce or maintain weight.
GLP-1 drugs are not recommended for short-term use. However, many people have to stop using them for a variety of reasons, from reaching their goal weight to cost.
A recent study found that most people stopped taking GLP-1 drugs within the first three months, which isn't long enough to experience their effects.
While most healthcare providers believe GLP-1 drugs are safe to quit cold turkey, it's best to inform your doctor before you stop.
Some research shows that weight gain can happen in people who stop taking GLP-1 drugs.
The body naturally produces GIP and GLP-1, hormones responsible for boosting insulin sensitivity and controlling blood sugar production, among other benefits. While Ozempic and other weight-loss drugs help the body in these efforts, they don't make permanent changes.
When you stop taking weight-loss drugs, your appetite will likely return to how it was before you started.
Research suggests that weight-loss drugs don't retrain the brain to resist food or cravings once you stop taking the medication.
After stopping weight-loss drugs, you may find yourself hungrier sooner, making it more likely to consume more food and stretch your stomach over time, requiring larger portions to feel satiated.
Some people may notice a change in food taste after stopping weight-loss drugs. GLP-1 drugs cause increased taste sensitivity, diminishing the need for overly sweet and salty foods. However, this may return after stopping the medication.
GLP-1 drugs suppress food cravings, although these may return once you have stopped taking the medication.
Food noise refers to the experience of having constant thoughts or internal chatter about food. While suppressed on Ozempic or Mounjaro, it may return once you stop taking GLP-1 drugs.
The link between GLP-1 drugs and mental health is still being researched. However, some studies have shown that people with diabetes are less likely to experience anxiety or depression while taking GLP-1 drugs. These issues could return once the medication is stopped.
Weight regain, cravings, and food noise may also cause some people to experience low moods once stopping GLP-1 drugs.
Monjaro and Ozempic were initially approved for diabetes treatment as the drugs help with insulin levels. People who stop using GLP-1 drugs may experience spikes in their blood glucose levels.
Users who experience gastrointestinal side effects when adjusting to the medication may also experience some side effects while their bodies adjust to the absence of the medication.
It may take 25 to 30 days for GLP-1 drugs to leave the body completely, and you may experience GI side effects during that time. Consult a healthcare professional if side effects persist beyond this timeframe.
In a study carried about by Novo Nordisk, people who took semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic) for 68 weeks and then stopped experienced a rise in cholesterol levels.
There may be changes to your blood pressure when stopping weight-loss drugs, so it's important to have regular checkups with your healthcare provider.
In a study of women with PCOS and obesity, patients treated with semaglutide and the diabetes drug Metformin achieved weight loss and a decrease in free testosterone levels. Two years after they stopped taking semaglutide, their weight and free testosterone levels remained significantly lower.
Some weight-loss medications can change the composition of gut bacteria. Stopping the drugs can lead to shifts in gut flora, affecting nutrient uptake and digestion.
In the past, weight-loss drugs were for short-term use only. Now, obesity is treated as a chronic disease that requires lifelong treatment. Stopping and starting GLP-1 drugs can make you more likely to experience GI side effects.
If you're considering stopping weight-loss medication, visit your healthcare provider to make adjustments to your nutrition and lifestyle.
If GLP-1 drugs aren't right for you or you cannot commit to them long-term, speak to your doctor about other forms of anti-obesity medication.
While stopping GLP-1 medication, consider a diet that supports controlling blood sugar and weight loss.
Use a food tracker to journal to note any cravings, increased appetite, or the types of food you are eating.
Incorporate exercise into your lifestyle alongside a healthy diet to mitigate weight regain as you stop taking weight-loss drugs.
Sources: (Healthline) (BBC) (Health)
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 42% of Americans are obese, and 65% say willpower alone isn’t enough for most people who are trying to lose weight. While weight-loss aids have been around for decades, a new class of weight-loss drugs, including brands like Ozempic and Wegovy, has soared in popularity. Around one in eight American adults has used weight-loss drugs, but factors including cost, a shortage of medications, and side effects have made many people stop.
But what happens when you stop taking weight-loss drugs? Fortunately, this gallery contains all you need to know. Click on to discover more.