What Happens When You Stop Taking Ozempic?

Ozempic (semaglutide) has soared in popularity in recent years. In fact, it’s estimated that around 13% of adults in America have taken the injectable drug for type 2 diabetes or weight loss. Yet many patients who try Ozempic stop taking the medication after just a year or two. So, if you stop taking Ozempic, what happens?

Let’s explore what happens to patients who decide they want to quit Ozempic. We’ll look at how stopping Ozempic affects blood sugar and weight, and we’ll also consider the reasons why people stop using Ozempic. For some of these patients, Ozempic caused serious health complications that required medical care, and these individuals may be able to take legal action.

If you experienced serious gastrointestinal health problems after taking Ozempic, speak with the lawyers at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. Our law firm can evaluate your diagnosis and let you know if you qualify for an Ozempic lawsuit. Request a free consultation with our Ozempic attorneys today.
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How Ozempic Works: Understanding the Basics

It’s best to discuss how Ozempic works so you can understand what happens when people stop taking semaglutide.

Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1, or sometimes GLP-1 RA). GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone in the body that helps regulate blood sugar levels and feelings of satiety. GLP-1 agonists such as Ozempic mimic this hormone and its effects on the body.

Ozempic injections help patients achieve lower blood sugar. Patients will also feel full for longer periods of time during the day, which means consuming fewer calories and weight loss.

Other Diabetes and Weight Loss Drugs That Are Like Ozempic

Many people use the word “Ozempic” as a blanket term for various diabetes and obesity drugs that are extremely popular right now. However, Ozempic is the brand name of just one kind of medication.

There are many drugs available with different brand names but similar effects on people’s blood sugar and weight. These Ozempic alternatives include:

• Rybelsus (semaglutide from Novo Nordisk)
• Wegovy (semaglutide from Novo Nordisk)
• Mounjaro (tirzepatide from Eli Lilly and Company)
• Zepbound (tirzepatide from Eli Lilly and Company)
• Saxenda (liraglutide from Novo Nordisk)
• Victoza (liraglutide from Novo Nordisk)
• Trulicity (dulaglutide from Eli Lilly and Company)

Will I Regain Weight If I Stop Taking Ozempic?

Yes. If you stop taking Ozempic, you’ll digest food at the same rate as you did before taking the drug. In addition, you’ll likely have cravings and increased hunger. There’s also a risk of binge eating after quitting Ozempic. All of these can contribute to gaining weight back.

How much weight a patient regains after stopping Ozempic can vary. On average, patients regain around 12% of their body mass after they stop taking Ozempic.

What Happens to My Blood Sugar If I Stop Taking Ozempic?

Patients can expect their blood sugar to spike when they stop taking Ozempic. Usually, blood sugar returns to pre-Ozempic levels, though in a few patients, their blood sugar may be higher.

Your doctor will be able to suggest options for managing your blood sugar after you’ve discontinued using Ozempic.

Other Changes When a Person Stops Taking Ozempic

Other changes that can occur when a patient stops taking Ozempic include:

• “Ozempic Face” Goes Away – The rapid weight loss from Ozempic can change the appearance of a person’s face. This loss of facial fat led to the term “Ozempic face.” With weight regain after stopping Ozempic, this is no longer an issue.
• Increased Blood Pressure – An increase in blood pressure is likely after someone stops using Ozempic. This can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular health issues.
• Higher Cholesterol – Bad cholesterol levels tend to go up after someone discontinues Ozempic.
• Changes in Mood – As your body and your relationship with food change, you may notice changes in your mood and possibly even your mental health, particularly if you’ve struggled with your weight for some time.

If I Stop Using Ozempic, When Will the Drug Side Effects Wear Off?

Common Ozempic side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation will usually subside after a patient stops taking semaglutide.

It can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for the side effects of Ozempic to dissipate after you’ve discontinued use of the medication. If side effects persist weeks after you’ve stopped taking Ozempic, be sure to speak with your doctor.

Can I Stop Taking Ozempic and Then Restart Later?

Ideally, Ozempic patients should take their drug weekly or as directed by their doctor. Some patients may skip a shot or pause taking Ozempic for vacation or the holidays.

Unless advised by your doctor, it is not recommended to stop taking Ozempic for a short period and then restart use of the medication. Doing so can lead to prolonged side effects or the reappearance of past Ozempic side effects.

How Common Is It for Someone to Quit Using Ozempic?

Quitting Ozempic is more common than people may realize.

One study found that 75% of GLP-1 patients stop taking the drug after two years. Another study found that 66% of patients stop taking Ozempic after just one year.

Why Do People Stop Taking Ozempic?

There are many reasons why people decide to stop taking Ozempic.

The Cost of Ozempic

Drugs like Ozempic can be extremely expensive, especially for people who do not have health insurance or cannot get insurance coverage for semaglutide.

Using Ozempic exclusively for weight loss is typically excluded from insurance coverage, for instance. Depending on where you live, Ozempic could cost $1,000 or more a month.

They’ve Achieved Their Health Goals

Some patients who take Ozempic for weight loss may reach their target weight and develop sustainable, healthy habits. In these cases, the patient may use Ozempic or a similar medication as the first step in a health journey they’ll complete on their own.

Planning to Get Pregnant

Ozempic is not safe for pregnant women. Patients planning to get pregnant should stop taking Ozempic at least two months before they start trying to conceive. If patients want to restart Ozempic after childbirth, they should consult their doctor.

Dissatisfaction with the Results

Not all patients have positive stories about taking Ozempic. Some Ozempic patients experience limited improvement in their blood sugar or a weight loss plateau. In these situations, they may try a different GLP-1 drug or another treatment like bariatric surgery, other medications, or lifestyle modifications.

Poor Tolerance of Side Effects

Some patients are unable to tolerate the nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and other side effects associated with Ozempic. Rather than endure these side effects, these patients may decide to stop taking Ozempic and look at alternatives for weight loss or blood sugar management.

Serious Health Problems

Though rare, Ozempic can cause or contribute to serious health complications that could be life-threatening. This includes acute pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, gastrointestinal emergencies, and possibly even thyroid issues. Doctors may advise their patients to stop taking the GLP-1 out of an abundance of caution.

Can Ozempic Patients Take Legal Action After Suffering a Medical Emergency?

In certain situations, yes. If you were diagnosed with a gastrointestinal health complication caused by Ozempic or a similar medication, the attorneys of Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can help you file a lawsuit to seek compensation.

As part of your free case evaluation, our lawyers will screen these four GI conditions to ensure you are eligible to file a legal action:

• Severe and Prolonged Vomiting
• Stomach Paralysis (Gastroparesis)
• Intestinal Blockage
• Bowel Obstruction

Specific criteria must be met to qualify for a lawsuit against the makers of Ozempic and other popular diabetes and weight loss medications.

Serious Gastrointestinal Problems Caused by Ozempic

The gastrointestinal problems listed below are thankfully rare, but they can be potentially fatal or lead to long-term medical issues. If you were diagnosed with any of these GI complications while taking Ozempic, our attorneys can help you file a lawsuit.

Excessive and Prolonged Vomiting

While some nausea and vomiting are normal while on Ozempic, “excessive and prolonged vomiting” means that the patient vomited several times a day for two weeks or longer. This much vomiting can cause serious harm to the throat as well as the mouth.

For one, the heightened acidity from frequent vomiting can lead to irritation and injuries of the esophagus. The acidity can also affect the pH of the mouth, slowly damaging tooth enamel. Without proper care, constant vomiting can contribute to tooth sensitivity, toothaches, root canal infection, and tooth loss.

In addition to the issues above, frequent vomiting can lead to dehydration and malnutrition.

It’s worth noting that excessive and prolonged vomiting is a common symptom of the three other gastrointestinal complications below.

Stomach Paralysis (Gastroparesis)

Stomach paralysis is when the muscles and nerves of the stomach fail to push food into the small intestine. Without gastric emptying, food and liquid remain stuck in the stomach.

Without treatment, gastroparesis can cause dehydration, malnutrition, the formation of a bezoar (a hardened mass within the stomach), and other serious medical problems.

Intestinal Blockage

An intestinal blockage occurs when part of the small or large intestine becomes obstructed, preventing food from moving through the digestive tract.

There are two potential causes of an intestinal blockage from Ozempic use:

• Ileus – Ileus is when the intestines fail to contract normally. This is known as a functional bowel obstruction since there is no physical blockage preventing the movement of food and liquids.
• Bezoar – If a bezoar forms and passes into the intestines, the mass could lead to a major intestinal obstruction that prevents food and liquid from moving through the digestive tract.

If an intestinal blockage goes untreated, it could cause death of the surrounding intestinal tissue and infection of the abdominal cavity (peritonitis).

Bowel Obstruction

Bowel obstructions are similar to intestinal blockages, but the disruption is in the large intestine and colon. They can be caused by ileus or a bezoar.

As with blockage of the small intestine, bowel obstructions can cause tissue death, peritonitis, or sepsis without immediate treatment.

Common Warning Signs of Ozempic-Related Gastrointestinal Issues

These are the most common warning signs of the severe GI complications Ozempic patients may experience: 

• Frequent vomiting
• Stomach pain, particularly around the upper abdomen
• Bulging of the abdomen
• Fever
• Constipation
• Inability to pass gas

If you take Ozempic or another GLP-1 drug and have noticed any of the symptoms that are listed above, see medical attention ASAP. When you have recovered and are ready to explore legal action, contact our law firm for a free consultation with our Ozempic injury attorneys.

How Bursor & Fisher, P.A. Can Help Injured Ozempic Patients

The lawyers of Bursor & Fisher, P.A. have secured numerous multi-million-dollar verdicts over the years, including actions against pharmaceutical companies like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly and Company. We’re ready to advocate for you.

A nationwide leader in complex high-stakes litigation, our law firm has represented more than 160 million people in legal actions—that’s roughly 1 in every 2 Americans.

How Much Can I Win If I Sue for Ozempic-Related Health Problems?

This depends on a variety of factors, including the severity of your GI problems, the medical treatments you required, and the lasting effects of the Ozempic-related health problems on your livelihood and quality of life. Our law firm cannot provide an estimate on the value of your Ozempic claim until we’ve had an opportunity to evaluate the details of your case.

With that in mind, compensation received in an Ozempic lawsuit can help cover your hospital bills, emergency medical treatments, ongoing healthcare expenses, loss of income, and changes in your future earning potential.

To learn how much your Ozempic lawsuit may be worth, it’s best to contact our GLP-1 injury lawyers for a free case review.

How Much Will It Cost to Hire an Ozempic Injury Lawyer?

It costs clients nothing to hire an Ozempic attorney with Bursor & Fisher, P.A.

In addition to free case evaluations, our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. That means you do not pay our attorneys anything unless and until we secure compensation for you.

Put simply: if we don’t win, you don’t pay.

How Injured Ozempic Patients Can Learn More About Filing a Lawsuit

If you experienced a serious medical emergency from taking Ozempic, you’re not alone. Our weight loss drug attorneys are here to help. You may qualify to take legal action against Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly and Company.

For more information about seeking damages from the makers of Ozempic and similar GLP-1 drugs, contact the lawyers of Bursor & Fisher, P.A. for a free consultation.

Bursor & Fisher, P.A. is not a medical provider. The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.