What Happens When You Stop 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 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. These data suggest that stopping Wegovy® can result in significant weight regain. 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, the Wegovy was helping to block those signals which lead 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.

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

Wegovy® is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S.

Am I a candidate?

Take our free 3 minute quiz to see if you qualify for FORM.

Nathaniel Pedley, MD

Nathaniel Pedley, MD

ABOM Diplomate

Dr. Nathaniel Pedley is an internist and obesity medicine specialist who is passionate about supporting patients in achieving their health goals. He attended Amherst College in Massachusetts for undergrad, and completed a post-baccalaureate in pre-medical studies at Columbia University. He continued at Columbia University for medical school and went on to complete his residency in internal medicine at UCLA where he served as a Project Lead for the UCLA Department of Medicine Quality Team and a peer mentor to junior residents.