Wegovy has been proven to be quite effective for weight loss, with people losing dozens of pounds in a few short months. But what happens when you stop using Wegovy?
Wegovy belongs to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 agonists. These drugs work for weight loss by mimicking the effects of naturally occurring hormones in the body that regulate glucose metabolism and hunger. Because Wegovy makes you feel fuller longer, you eat much less on Wegovy and can experience significant weight loss.
You do not have to stay on Wegovy forever to meet your weight loss goals. Let’s take a closer look at when you can stop Wegovy, what happens when you stop Wegovy, and how to keep the weight off once you do.
How Long Can You Take Wegovy?
How long you need to take Wegovy will vary from patient to patient. Your prescriber will determine how long you need to remain on Wegovy based on your individual needs and weight loss goals. However, treatment with Wegovy usually will last several months or longer, depending on your progress and response to the medication.
Wegovy is given as a once-weekly injection, and it is approved for long-term use. Wegovy is a “long-lasting” medication, which is why you only have to take it once a week to achieve results. The half-life of Wegovy is seven days, which means after one week, there will be 50% of the dose you took still in your body. This also means that even once you completely stop taking Wegovy, it will take about seven weeks for it to be totally out of your system. Wegovy’s long-lasting half-life is one of the reasons that makes it easier for you to maintain your weight loss even once you have stopped taking it because it remains in your body for almost two months and can still have its hunger-curbing effects and a positive impact on glucose metabolism.
Still, you should not stop taking Wegovy without the advice of your healthcare provider. Wegovy is intended for long-term use, and you can stay on it for maintenance even once you have achieved your weight loss goals, but there may be some reasons beyond your control that could force you to stop taking Wegovy, such as cost issues, supply problems or serious or unwanted side effects.
If you stopped taking Wegovy for any reason other than unacceptable side effects, It is perfectly safe to stop and start Wegovy. However, depending on how long it has been since your last injection, you may need to start the “titration” process over again, starting with the lower dose of Wegovy and building back up to the maximum dose for optimal weight loss.
Do people gain weight after they stop taking Wegovy?
While Wegovy does tend to still last in your system even once you stop, it is possible to regain weight once you stop using Wegovy. In the clinical trials, patients gained as much as 7% of their total body weight back after being off of Wegovy for one year.
However, just because you can regain weight after stopping Wegovy, that doesn’t mean you will do so. Once Wegovy is completely out of your system, your appetite may come back, but hopefully, the other lifestyle changes you have made along the way will help you maintain your weight loss even after you stop using Wegovy.
Regaining weight after stopping Wegovy is no different than once you complete any other weight loss routine or regimen. If you do not want to remain on the drug forever, then it is up to you to make the necessary lifestyle changes to keep the progress you have made. Also, keep in mind that once you stop taking Wegovy, if you have been experiencing gas, bloating, nausea, or any other unpleasant side effects, these will stop.
How to Keep the Weight Off After Wegovy
You should not decide to stop taking Wegovy on your own. Discontinuing Wegovy should only be done under the supervision and guidance of your healthcare professional. Stopping Wegovy abruptly or going “cold turkey” can have adverse effects on your health and weight management.
Here’s how you should stop taking Wegovy:
- Consult Your Healthcare Provider: Before discontinuing Wegovy. Discuss your reasons for wanting to stop the medication and any concerns you may have.
- Gradual Tapering: In most cases, your healthcare provider will recommend a gradual tapering off of Wegovy. This means reducing the dosage over a period of time rather than abruptly stopping it. The tapering process allows your body to adjust to the change and minimizes potential withdrawal symptoms.
- Follow Medical Advice: Your healthcare provider will create a personalized plan for tapering off Wegovy, taking into account your specific circumstances. It’s crucial to follow their instructions precisely and communicate any side effects or concerns throughout the process.
Always keep in mind that weight management is a lifelong journey, and discontinuing Wegovy doesn’t necessarily mean you will regain weight. Maintaining weight loss after discontinuing Wegovy requires a holistic approach to health and wellness. Here are five tips to help you keep the weight off once you stop taking Wegovy.
- Healthy Eating: Continue to prioritize a balanced and nutritious diet. Focus on whole foods, plenty of vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Avoid excessive consumption of highly processed or sugary foods.
- Regular Exercise: Incorporate regular physical activity into your routine. Aim for a mix of cardiovascular exercises, strength training, and flexibility exercises to promote overall health and prevent weight regain.
- Portion Control: Be mindful of portion sizes to avoid overeating. Pay attention to hunger and fullness cues and avoid eating out of boredom or stress.
- Stress Management: Develop effective stress management techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises to prevent emotional eating.
- Support and Accountability: Maintain regular check-ins with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian. Consider joining a support group or enlisting the support of friends and family to stay on track.
If you had to stop Wegovy due to side effects or were unhappy with your results, you may want to try taking another weight loss drug. There are other weight loss drugs on the market you could discuss with your physician, such as Saxenda, Trulicity, or Mounjaro.