What you’ll learn:
- Working with your healthcare provider is key for safely stopping and restarting Ozempic®.
- Stopping Ozempic® may have led to increased hunger and weight regain. Restarting should be done slowly to minimize side effects.
- Noom provides personalized support, practical tips, and a community to help you manage the challenges of restarting Ozempic®.
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic® are typically designed as long-term treatments to support sustainable weight loss and improve health. However, life circumstances, side effects, costs, or even achieving your goal weight may lead you to pause treatment at some point. But what if after you stop, you decide to restart Ozempic®? Whether you’ve regained some weight, quit because of financial reasons, or experienced side effects, it’s important to take the right steps to ensure a safe transition back onto the medication.
Restarting Ozempic® isn’t always as simple as picking up where you left off. Your body may need some time to readjust, and the duration of your break from the medication or any health changes since your initial treatment could influence how it responds.
Your first step is to discuss your goal for restarting with your doctor. If you use Noom Med, your clinician can answer all your questions about stopping and restarting or help find an alternative if you need one. Here is your full guide to safely stopping and restarting Ozempic®.
How to restart Ozempic® safely
Restarting Ozempic® after a break might feel different than the first time around. Your body may take some time to readjust. You might experience different side effects or a different level of effectiveness than you did initially, so it’s important to be mindful of these changes. When you’re ready to restart Ozempic®, here’s how to do it safely:
- Talk to your clinician: Discuss with your clinician if it’s the right time to restart. You’ll need to consider any new health conditions and your goals for beginning the medication again.
- Take it slow: Depending on how long you’ve been off the medication, you’ll start at a lower dose and gradually increase.
- Keep track of side effects: Record what you’re feeling the second time around and any side effects.
- Stay in touch: Regular follow-ups with your clinician are a great way to discuss progress and address any questions.
If you stopped taking Ozempic® for cost reasons, consider exploring compounded semaglutide* through Noom GLP-1Rx. If you qualify for Noom Med, your clinician can decide if it might be an affordable alternative to Ozempic. Our compounded semaglutide contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic but costs just $149 for the first month. If your Noom Med clinician prescribes it, your first dose will be on the way to you within seven days. You’ll also get personalized coaching, Noom’s tools for tracking your diet and progress, recipes, exercises, and an entire community cheering you on.
Tips and tools for restarting Ozempic®
Deciding to restart Ozempic® or an alternative is a big step. Restarting treatment after a break can be challenging. You may experience feelings of frustration, a shift in your routine, or the struggle of re-establishing healthy habits that were disrupted. It can be tough to get back into a rhythm, especially if you’ve lost some momentum. That’s where Noom’s personalized support can make the process a lot easier. With tailored guidance and encouragement, you can stay focused and build sustainable habits that complement your treatment. Here are some tips for restarting your Ozempic® treatment after a break:
- Prioritize protein and nutrient-dense foods: It’s important to prioritize foods rich in lean protein to maintain muscle mass and support a healthy metabolism while losing weight. Pair these with whole grains, healthy fats, and a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables to ensure your body gets the nutrients it needs. Noom’s food color system and the GLP-1 Companion can help you identify foods that will help fuel your body while you lose weight.
- Track your progress: Noom’s got tools that help you make the most of your treatment.
- Use Noom’s meal tracking feature to be sure you’re getting enough protein.
- Track how much you move to lessen the chance of muscle loss.
- Noom Body Scan will help you see how your body composition changes over time.
- The water tracker will ensure that you’re staying hydrated, as sometimes GLP-1s can make you feel less thirsty.
- Stick with an exercise routine: Regular exercise is also important. Incorporating resistance training exercises, like lifting weights or bodyweight exercises, will prevent muscle loss. Adding cardiovascular activities like walking, cycling, or swimming can help you maintain a healthy metabolism. Noom has a vast library of exercises and workouts for all levels so that you can find a sustainable routine for you.
- Practice mindful eating and reduce stress: Old habits might have resurfaced when you weren’t taking Ozempic, like overeating or responding to stress with unhealthy food choices. Slowing down during meals, recognizing hunger cues, and avoiding distractions can curb emotional eating. Reducing stress through meditation, yoga, or journaling can also help.
- Lean on community support: Noom’s community support can be invaluable during this time, offering encouragement and shared experiences from others on similar journeys. We have a community for all interests and health goals.
With Noom, you can develop a plan focused on sustainable lifestyle habits, like balanced nutrition and regular activity, to get the most out of Ozempic treatment the second time around.
Is stopping and restarting Ozempic® for a holiday or vacation safe?
Stopping and restarting Ozempic® for a vacation or holiday is not recommended. Ozempic® works best when used consistently, as it helps regulate blood sugar levels, appetite, and metabolism over time. Temporarily stopping the medication could lead to a return of increased hunger, making it harder to maintain weight loss.
Restarting after a break may also result in side effects similar to those experienced when you first started, such as nausea or gastrointestinal discomfort, as your body readjusts. Most clinicians will not recommend stopping and restarting for a special occasion since these adjustments are likely not worth the convenience saved by not having to take the medication while traveling.
High-quality meds. Powerful psychology-based weight loss.
- Starting at $149/month
- Meds to your door in 7 days
- 100% online access to coaches and doctors
- Backed by Noom's award winning behavior change program
Medications require consultation and prescription by clinician through Noom platform. Not all customers will qualify for prescription. Compounded semaglutide is produced in an FDA-registered facility but not reviewed by the FDA for safety, efficacy or quality.
However, if you need to take a break, always contact your clinician to help guide you. They will likely recommend tapering off gradually ahead of time rather than stopping abruptly to avoid significant disruptions. For those restarting Ozempic®, a similar gradual approach may be necessary, beginning with a lower dose. During a vacation, maintaining healthy habits, such as portion control, staying active, and choosing nutritious foods, can help minimize the impact of a temporary pause in treatment. Always communicate openly with your provider to weigh the risks and benefits based on your health goals.
Restarting Ozempic® with confidence
Restarting Ozempic® after a break is a valuable opportunity to refocus on your health goals and establish sustainable habits. Whether you paused due to cost, side effects, or life changes, the key to a smooth and effective transition lies in careful planning and support.
At Noom, we understand that restarting can bring new challenges, from reestablishing habits to managing emotional eating. That’s why we offer practical tools and a supportive community to keep you motivated and on course. Whether it’s tips for nutrient-dense meals, workout routines, or stress management strategies, our personalized approach complements your Ozempic® treatment and empowers you to succeed.
Remember, consistent effort is the foundation of long-term weight management, not perfection! With Noom, you’re never alone on your journey. If you use Noom Med, your clinician is there to help you every step of the way. If you get your prescription through your doctor, be sure to add the GLP-1 Companion to help you as you continue on your journey to wellness.
*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.
Note: Ozempic® is not FDA-approved to treat obesity or for weight loss.
