What happens when you stop taking Wegovy (semaglutide)?

What happens when you stop Wegovy® can vary from person to person. When you stop taking Wegovy, it is possible that you will regain the weight you lost while taking the medication. One study looked at people who had been taking the highest dose of Wegovy who were then randomly divided into two groups; one that continued their medication and the other that took a placebo (something that has no therapeutic effect) while continuing with healthy nutrition and lifestyle changes. Those who stopped taking Wegovy gained back much of the weight they had initially lost, whereas those who continued taking the drug lost an additional 16 lbs of weight. This data suggests that significant weight regain can occur when you stop taking Wegovy. This is not entirely unexpected as research has demonstrated that when one loses weight, the body responds with natural hormonal changes to promote an increased appetite and a slowed metabolism which leads to weight regain. Essentially, Wegovy helps to block those signals, which leads to additional weight loss and long-term weight loss maintenance. The study highlights that medications for weight loss are not meant for a short-term “quick fix;” rather, they are tools to help manage a chronic medical condition and are most effective when taken long-term.

Learn more about Wegovy for weight loss and how Form Health doctors prescribe Wegovy to help patients achieve their weight loss goals