(NewsNation) — Studies found patients taking drugs like Ozempic for weight loss will, on average, gain back two-thirds of the weight they lose once they stop taking the drug. Experts warn that these medications are not magic bullets but long-term treatments.
“If you plan to start one of these medications, you should plan to continue it long term. And that’s because these medications only work when you’re taking them,” said obesity medicine specialist Dr. Christopher McGowan.
McGowan joined “NewsNation Now” to discuss the effect of stopping Ozempic, saying while it won’t be immediate, patients will see a change once the drug exits their systems.
“They don’t permanently change anything. So once you stop the medication, your body’s normal weight-promoting mechanisms will fire right back up. And that means rapid onset of hunger and the inevitable return of weight,” McGowan said.
The drugs semaglutide and tirzepatide — better known by the brand names they are marketed under: Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro — were initially manufactured for people living with diabetes.
Now, the drugs have become popular among celebrities, influencers and everyday Americans as a way to lose weight rapidly.
“If you’re using Ozempic for diabetes, for instance, and you stop it, your blood sugar will go up. That poses potential health risks. If you’re taking Wegovy for obesity, and you stop it, your weight will increase. And that also has potential health implications. And that’s why it’s so important to understand that these are long-term treatments, they are not cures, and you really do need to plan to stay on them,” McGowan said.
Research published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism shows participants regained two-thirds of their prior weight loss one year after ceasing to take the medication.
Similarly, the positive changes researchers had seen in cardiometabolic risk factors had also reversed.
The Ozempic craze has also fueled the rise in patients seeking out excess skin removal surgeries, as drastic weight loss is leaving people with sagging skin. McGowan tells NewsNation this side effect is related to the loss of muscle mass.
“The reality is if you lose a very significant amount of weight, you will have some loose skin. And some of these shape changes are related to loss of muscle mass. And so that’s why we really focus on preserving and maintaining lean muscle when losing weight as much as possible. And that starts with proper nutrition, significant amount of exercise along the way,” McGowan said.