What you’ll learn:
- Stopping Ozempic® is considered safe, but it can lead to weight gain and elevated hunger levels if done too rapidly.
- Gradually tapering off Ozempic® under medical supervision is essential to minimize side effects like increased appetite and weight fluctuations while allowing your body to adjust.
- Maintaining healthy habits like balanced eating, regular exercise, and stress management can help sustain progress after stopping Ozempic®.
If you’ve been taking Ozempic® for weight loss, you might wonder what happens when you decide to stop. The good news is that stopping Ozempic® is generally considered safe because you’re unlikely to experience any medical issues. But, you could experience some uncomfortable side effects, like the return of hunger and cravings.
Why? GLP-1 medications like Ozempic® work by mimicking a hormone in your body that helps regulate appetite, slow digestion, and improve how your body processes food. When you stop taking it, these effects will be gone, too, though it might take some time, which we’ll get into.
Your reason for stopping Ozempic® will help your doctor decide the best plan of action. Generally, it’s important to taper off the medication gradually. Leaning on the healthy habits you’ve honed while taking it can help, too, as the medication leaves your system. This approach can help minimize side effects and ensure you have a plan to maintain all the great progress you’ve achieved!
If you get your prescription through Noom Med, we’ll guide you through managing potential side effects and keeping up with the health progress you’ve worked so hard for. And, if you’re transitioning off Ozempic due to price concerns or cannot find your medication in stock, our Noom Med clinicians can help you explore other options.
With Noom’s blend of expert advice and psychological support, you can confidently manage this change and stay on the path to long-term health.
What happens when I stop taking Ozempic®?
What you’ll experience when stopping Ozempic® can vary depending on how long you’ve been taking the medication, your dose, your reason for discontinuing, and whether you’ve made significant lifestyle changes. Those who have built healthy habits, like balanced eating and regular exercise, may find it easier to come off than others. Understanding your unique situation is essential for stopping safely and comfortably. Here’s a look at some common reasons for stopping and what you should do next:
- If you’re stopping because you’ve reached your goal, work with your clinician to taper off gradually and focus on maintaining healthy habits to sustain your progress. If you’re using Noom, it’s time to move into maintenance mode.
- If you’re stopping because of the side effects, you should talk to your clinician about the right way to stop. Your course of action will depend on how long you’ve been on the medication.
- If you’re stopping because you cannot find your medication or it’s become too expensive, another medication might be more affordable. If you qualify for Noom Med, your clinician can go through all available options, including compounded semaglutide* via GLP-1ᴿˣ. Compounded semaglutide contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic® and Wegovy® but can be more affordable. It starts at just $149 per month and will be delivered right to your door if prescribed. You’ll also get personalized coaching, nutrition tips, and ongoing support to help you reach your weight loss goals.
*Compounded semaglutide available on the Noom platform is produced in an FDA-registered facility but not reviewed by the FDA for safety, efficacy, or quality.
How to stop taking Ozempic® safely: A step-by-step guide
Ozempic® should not be stopped abruptly or without consulting with a doctor. Your doctor will develop a plan for you to taper off the medication slowly to reduce any adverse effects. If you stop taking semaglutide Ozempic® without tapering off, you may experience a rapid return of your appetite and potential blood sugar fluctuations. Especially if you’ve been taking it for several months and are on a high dose. A clinician will provide you with a roadmap for stopping with the fewest side effects.
Here’s a straightforward guide to help you:
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- Consult your healthcare provider: This is your first and most important step. Your doctor will know your health history and create a personalized plan just for you.
- Follow the tapering schedule: Your doctor will suggest gradually reducing your dose. This slow approach helps your body adjust and reduces the risk of sudden blood sugar or weight changes.
- Know the timeline: Stopping Ozempic® safely typically spans several weeks to a few months. Be patient with your body as it adjusts.
- Monitor changes and keep tracking them: As you reduce your Ozempic® dose, you might notice:
- Increased appetite
- Changes in blood sugar levels (if you have diabetes)
- Potential weight fluctuations
- Keep a record of these changes—this information helps you and your healthcare team make informed decisions.
- Maintain your healthy lifestyle: Focus on healthy eating habits and regular physical activity. Since Ozempic® is typically paired with healthy eating and exercise for the best results, you’ve likely picked up a few tips. Lean on these good habits and Noom’s tools to maintain weight after Ozempic®. We’ve got more details below.
- Seek support: Join Noom’s communities to connect with others who are experiencing the same thing.
- Check out the Noom GLP-1 Companion community in the Noom app to talk to others who have also used and stopped medications as part of their weight loss journeys.
- The Noomers Ask Noomers community can also be a great place to troubleshoot any roadblocks you might be experiencing with fellow Noom users.
Remember, this step-by-step guide to stopping Ozempic® safely is a general outline. Your path may differ based on your health needs and medication response. Stick with your personalized plan, and reach out to your clinician if you have questions or concerns.
How can I manage potential side effects as I stop taking Ozempic®?
While coming off Ozempic® doesn’t typically come with any dangerous side effects, they can be worrisome and uncomfortable. As you gradually reduce your Ozempic® dose, you might experience changes in appetite or digestive symptoms. Your clinician can offer strategies to manage these effects and determine if they’re part of the normal process or need further attention.
When should I call my doctor?
If you start noticing quick weight gain, big changes in your appetite, or difficulty keeping up with your new habits, it’s a good idea to touch base with your healthcare provider. They can help reassess your progress, tweak your plan, and offer extra support or treatment options.
Don’t forget—ongoing professional guidance is key to long-term success in managing your health and weight. By staying proactive and getting the right support, you can improve your health and continue moving forward, even after stopping Ozempic®.”
Maintaining weight loss after stopping Ozempic®
Keeping the progress you’ve made after stopping Ozempic® can feel daunting, but you can sustain your results with the right strategies and support. Noom can help you through the process, and studies support that. Slowly tapering a GLP-1 in coordination with a digital weight loss program like Noom helped people maintain their weight loss for at least six months. People who combined a GLP-1 medication with an exercise program were able to keep off more weight a year after stopping than those who didn’t.
How can I maintain my progress without Ozempic®?
Keeping the weight off after stopping Ozempic® means making lasting changes to your lifestyle. Here are a few practical steps to help you stay on track:
- Focus on eating satisfying meals and snacks: We recommend starting with what we call the “satisfaction trifecta”: foods that are low caloric density, high in protein, and high in fiber.Noom’s food color system can help you identify the foods that fit into these three categories and incorporate them into your diet with easy, delicious recipes. Here’s how to do it:
- Low caloric density: Eating low-caloric-density foods helps you feel full with fewer calories, making it easier to reach your health goals. For example, for 100 calories, you could eat 14 cups of raw spinach or 14 almonds. While one isn’t necessarily better than the other, the spinach will be more filling. Since food volume, not just calories, affects fullness, incorporating water-rich options like fruits and vegetables can keep you satisfied and on track.
- High protein: Eating foods high in protein can help you feel full. Protein is the most filling macronutrient and helps maintain muscle, which burns more calories than fat. Including a source of lean protein in every meal, like eggs at breakfast or chicken at dinner, can make sticking to your goals easier and keep you satisfied longer.
- High fiber: Fiber also fills you up and promotes healthy digestion. Fiber is found in foods like whole grains, legumes, fruits, and veggies. Add high-fiber foods like berries at breakfast, lentils at lunch, or whole wheat pasta at dinner to build more satisfying meals.
- Incorporate regular exercise: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week. What does that look like?
- Start slow: Ease into exercise with walking, swimming, cycling, or dancing. Begin with 15-minute cardio sessions a few days a week and gradually work toward 150 minutes total weekly.
- Pick exercises you enjoy: To make staying active more sustainable, choose activities you love or include your friends. Incorporating joyful movement will help keep you motivated. The Noom app has a variety of fitness classes, including yoga, HIIT, strength training, and Pilates, so you can find an activity you love and stick with it.
- Incorporate everyday movement: Healthy movement doesn’t have to include planned exercise sessions; it can also include activities like cleaning your house, taking the dog out, or running errands. Use a tracker and sync it with Noom to get credit for everything you do.
- Add strength training: Include resistance exercises or bodyweight moves to boost metabolism and build muscle. Noom’s got thousands of on-demand exercises to help you maintain and build muscle mass, which boosts your metabolism and supports long-term weight maintenance. Plus, strong muscles improve overall health, making daily activities easier and reducing the risk of injury.
- Try HIIT: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a form of exercise that alternates between light and intense effort. For example, you could combine brisk walking with short bursts of jogging.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help control hunger and keep your metabolism working well. Noom even has a tracker for your water intake so you can be sure you’re drinking enough each day.
- Get enough sleep: Quality sleep is important for managing weight. Aim for 7 to 9 hours per night to support your overall health and help regulate your appetite. Easier said than done, right? Here are a few tips to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer:
- Reduce screen time before bed
- Avoid late-night snacks
- Make your bedroom cool and comfortable
- Bring some relaxing activities like reading or taking a warm bath into your nighttime routine.
- Manage stress: High stress levels can lead to emotional eating and weight gain. Practice relief techniques like mindfulness, meditation, or yoga to help keep stress under control. Noom’s Success Kit has a variety of mindfulness features to calm you down and melt stress away.
Noom’s program can help you with personalized strategies and ongoing support to make these healthy habits stick, making it easier to maintain your progress.
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How to stop taking Ozempic® safely with Noom
Coming off Ozempic® doesn’t have to be overwhelming—it’s all about having the right plan and support. By tapering off the medication slowly under the guidance of a healthcare professional, you can minimize side effects and hold on to the progress you’ve made. While challenges like feeling hungrier or seeing some weight regain are normal, adopting healthy habits and exploring alternative strategies can make the transition smoother.
That’s where programs like Noom can help! Noom focuses on building lasting habits to maintain your weight loss, even after stopping medications. And if you’re still working toward your weight loss goals, Noom Med’s clinicians can assess whether compounded semaglutide through Noom GLP-1Rx might be a good fit and prescribe it if necessary. With Noom, you have options, expert guidance, and the tools you need to stay on track.
Note: Ozempic® is not FDA-approved to treat obesity or for weight loss.
