Ozempic is a drug that can help with weight loss. However, some people may experience “Ozempic rebound.” This refers to regaining weight and reversing the health benefits after they stop using the drug.
Ozempic is a semaglutide drug that doctors typically prescribe for individuals living with type 2 diabetes (T2D). It can help manage blood sugar levels and also lower the risk of cardiovascular problems. It works by reducing appetite, meaning a person should consume fewer calories.
As such, Ozempic can also help with weight loss. In some cases, a doctor may prescribe this drug off-label for chronic weight management among those with overweight or obesity. However, after stopping the drug, some people may experience weight regain after discontinuing Ozempic or other similar weight loss medications.
Ozempic rebound refers to when a person regains weight after using Ozempic. After stopping these drugs, individuals may experience an increase in appetite, which can lead to weight regain.
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The same study detailed the effect by studying the weight regain of two groups of people with obesity after stopping the drug. One group took Ozempic for 68 weeks and underwent monitoring until week 120 of the trial to gauge the effects after stopping. The other group took a placebo for the same period.
On average, the group that took Ozempic lost 17.3% of their body weight between weeks 0 and 68, while the placebo group lost 2%. After stopping Ozempic use, the Ozempic group regained an average of 11.6% body weight, while the placebo group regained 1.9%.
When starting the drug, people in the study who took Ozempic lost around 5.6% of their body weight, while the placebo group lost 0.1%. While a net weight loss still occurred, the results show that people regained about two-thirds of the weight they originally lost by using Ozempic.
Importantly, the gains in cardiovascular risk factors for the Ozempic group, such as lower blood fats and long-term glucose levels, had also reversed.
Ozempic is a medication that people receive as an injection. It is part of a drug class known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.
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The American Diabetes Association maintains that GLP-1 receptor agonists work similarly to the body’s supply of GLP-1, except that DDP-4 is less able to break them down. This may help reduce appetite and blood glucose, which helps treat T2D, reduce body weight, and protect against cardiovascular risk factors.
Side effects
It is important for a person to take Ozempic as their doctor advises. Common side effects can include gastrointestinal symptoms. The drug can also result in adverse reactions, such as pancreatic problems, kidney injury, or complications relating to diabetes. A person may also experience “Ozempic face,” which describes the sagging and aging of facial skin.
Ozempic can help with weight management by reducing appetite. The European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) suggests that suddenly stopping Ozempic may lead to sudden food cravings that become difficult to resist.
Previously, some thought that weight regain could occur due to Ozempic not treating underlying factors such as emotional eating. However, a 2022 study suggests that semaglutide is highly effective in reducing emotional eating and other unusual eating patterns, which can have a negative influence on weight.
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A 2024 study on 2,245 people examined the effects of tapering off the drug on Ozempic rebound. Tapering involves slowly reducing the dosage and then stopping. After stopping, the group that tapered rather than abruptly stopped maintained a stable body weight.
The EASO explained that the lower Ozempic dose meant healthy lifestyle choices played a more significant role in the original weight loss. People with a sustainable approach to daily weight management might be able to keep the weight from returning more than those who used a higher dose of medication.
There is no universal solution for long-term weight management. However, the following measures can form part of a lifestyle that supports healthy body weight without crash dieting or ongoing medication use:
- Follow a diet mainly consisting of non-starchy vegetables, lean or plant-based proteins, whole grains, fruits, and low fat milk.
- Gradually increase physical activity and find methods of exercise that are enjoyable.
- People who have a difficult relationship with food may benefit from understanding the triggers and underlying causes of their emotional or stress eating. They can develop coping mechanisms, such as healthy distractions, a food diary, or healthier alternatives.
- Frame steps toward a weight management journey in a positive light and try to use positive self-talk. People may not always reach their diet or fitness goals. However, when individuals learn to appreciate their progress, it can help make weight management feel better.
Ozempic is a drug that people may use off-label for weight management. However, abruptly stopping the drug may lead to individuals regaining most of the weight they have lost. This can occur when cravings return suddenly or because Ozempic does not treat the underlying causes of obesity. Some people may refer to this weight regain as Ozempic rebound.
Research suggests that tapering rather than abruptly stopping Ozempic can help keep weight management results stable after the end of the medication course.
Long-term lifestyle measures for sustainable weight management can include following a nutritious dietary plan, getting regular exercise, and addressing the underlying causes that can drive obesity or make a healthy lifestyle more challenging.