An expert has warned that stopping and restarting Ozempic can harm your health.
Ozempic is a prescription that is primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes; nevertheless, it has gained popularity as a weight reduction treatment, with many individuals, including celebrities, utilizing it to lose weight.
It is given as a weekly injection, with doses starting at 0.25 mg and escalating to the suggested limit of 2 mg.
Although it is not certified for this purpose, it has become the go-to tool for individuals looking to lose weight.
Many people are concerned about what happens if the prescription is discontinued, what adverse effects may occur, and if it is feasible to resume taking the medication.
Now, one doctor has outlined what may happen.
How does Ozempic work?
Ozempic is a weekly injection-based medicine that improves your body’s blood sugar levels.
The medicine mimics the body’s natural GLP-1 hormone. It helps to reduce hunger and improve sensations of fullness by activating insulin release from the pancreas, delaying digestion, and reducing glucose synthesis in the liver, all of which help users lose weight.
What happens if Ozempic is cancelled?
People choose to discontinue Ozempic treatment for various reasons, according to a Medical News Today article written by biologist D. M. Pollock and reviewed by pharmacist Philip Ngo.
However, discontinuing Ozempic can lead to a decline in its benefits, with many individuals experiencing an increase in appetite.
In 2022, research discovered that after one year of discontinuing both semaglutide and “lifestyle therapies,” such as diet and exercise counseling, patients regained two-thirds of their lost weight.
However, subsequent research from 2024 has shown that regular exercise can help overcome this.
Patients who take Ozempic to treat symptoms of type 2 diabetes may suffer elevated blood glucose levels. Side effects of this may include:
Excessive thirst and headaches
Symptoms might include nausea, tiredness, vomiting, and blurred vision.
excessive urination
Is it possible to restart Ozempic?
If you intend to resume using Ozempic, consult a medical expert beforehand.
Experts recommend slow reintroduction when repeating the medicine, which can also help reduce gastrointestinal adverse effects.
Many individuals question if it’s safe to stop taking Ozempic for a short period of time, such as during a vacation, before restarting.
However, UCLA Health does not suggest it.
Mopelola Adeyem, a health clinical nutrition specialist, explained, “Ozempic is a prescription that should be taken weekly rather than as required; thus, skipping your Ozempic dosage is not suggested.
“The focus during the holidays should be on making healthy, mindful, portion-conscious food choices so that you can enjoy the season without deviating from your overall health goals.”
“When patients begin using Ozempic, they may have symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation, which may subside as their bodies adjust to the medicine. However, if you skip Ozempic, you risk experiencing similar symptoms again when you resume the medicine. If you miss the drug for several weeks and then restart at a higher dose, the risk increases.
“Furthermore, depending on how long you have skipped your Ozempic, you may need to start on a lower dose when restarting.”
A spokeswoman for Novo Nordisk, which manufactures Ozempic, told UNILAD, “Patient safety is of the highest priority to Novo Nordisk.
We urge that users use these prescription-only drugs for the approved reasons and under the guidance of a healthcare practitioner.
“According to the licensed indication, Ozempic® (semaglutide injectable) should only be used to treat people with inadequately managed type 2 diabetes mellitus as an addition to diet and exercise.
“Treatment decisions, including discontinuation of treatment, should be made together with a healthcare provider who can evaluate the appropriateness of using a GLP-1 based on assessment of a patient’s individual medical profile.”