If you’ve been keeping up with the latest trends, you’ve undoubtedly heard of Ozempic. This medication has become a staple in pop culture, with many celebrities facing speculation about its use for weight loss due to their slimmer appearances.
Despite its fame as a weight-loss aid, Ozempic is not actually approved by the FDA for this purpose. Nevertheless, high-profile figures like Oprah Winfrey, Sharon Osbourne, Amy Schumer, and Rebel Wilson have openly discussed their experiences with it.
Originally intended for patients with type 2 diabetes, Ozempic is frequently accessed off-label by people looking to lose weight. Meanwhile, other medications like Semaglutide (Wegovy), Tirzepatide (Zepbound), and Liraglutide (Saxenda) are specifically approved for weight loss, though Ozempic remains the most recognized name.
The effects of Ozempic on the body can be striking, and the same holds true when discontinuing its use. Robert Kushner, MD, a professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, shared insights with Everyday Health on what happens when patients stop taking Ozempic. The drug can lead to side effects such as nausea, bloating, dizziness, and diarrhea.
Kushner suggests that some of these effects can be mitigated through dietary adjustments like reducing fat intake, eating smaller meals, and avoiding skipped meals. However, ceasing the medication will naturally eliminate these side effects.
Kushner points out that all benefits from Ozempic end once the drug is stopped, including its impact on appetite suppression. “If the patient experienced a reduction in appetite and body weight that resulted from consuming a lower-calorie diet, the individual’s appetite will increase back to baseline when the medication is stopped, making it harder to follow a lower calorie diet,” he noted.
When the appetite returns to normal, increased food intake may lead to weight gain. Kushner emphasizes the necessity of combining appetite-suppressant drugs like Ozempic with healthy lifestyle changes in diet and physical activity.
“These changes should be continued even after stopping the medication and can help maintain some of the health benefits seen with body weight and blood sugar control,” he added.
Interestingly, regaining weight could reverse the effects often called “Ozempic face,” characterized by a gaunt appearance due to rapid weight loss. Joshua Zeichner, MD, an associate professor of dermatology, explained: “Ozempic face will go away if you gain back the weight you lost from the drug.” He further stated: “The face can get full the way it used to, just as you can regain the weight in your body.”
Discontinuing Ozempic can also impact diabetes management by causing an increase in blood sugar levels. Dr. Beverly Tchang, an endocrinologist, highlighted that stopping Ozempic might lead to a worsening of diabetes symptoms. This is partly because the drug helps the body produce more insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels. Without it, the insulin boost diminishes, potentially causing blood sugar to rise, even if healthier eating habits are maintained.