The Ozempic Dilemma: Why Weight Loss Drug Users Struggle to Stop

Many individuals who have successfully lost weight using GLP-1 agonist drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are finding it difficult to discontinue use, as hunger returns intensely and weight begins to return when they stop taking the medication.

The Dependency Challenge

According to BBC reporting, patients who discontinue these medications often experience significant weight regain, suggesting a potential lifetime dependency for effective weight management. Tanya Hall, who lost 83 pounds on Wegovy, expressed feeling a form of addiction to the medication because it provides a sense of control over her weight.

Research from Ozempic manufacturer Novo Nordisk confirms this trend, showing that patients typically regain approximately two-thirds of their lost weight after stopping the medication. Physician Hussain Al-Zubaidi noted even higher regain rates, with some patients recovering 60-80% of their previously lost weight.

The Lifetime Medication Approach

This reality has led some users, including high-profile individuals like Oprah Winfrey, to view these medications as permanent solutions. Oprah has publicly stated her intention to continue using weight loss medication indefinitely, comparing it to blood pressure medication that manages a chronic condition.

“It’s going to be a lifetime thing,” Oprah told People Magazine. “I’m on high blood pressure medication, and if I go off the high blood pressure medication, my blood pressure is going to go up. The same thing is true now, I realize, with these medications.”

Developing an Exit Strategy

Despite these challenges, success stories do exist. Dr. Al-Zubaidi recommends that patients develop an “exit strategy” that incorporates sustainable lifestyle changes while on the medication. This approach can help maintain weight loss after discontinuing the drugs.

Ellen Ogley represents one such success story. After losing 48.5 pounds on Eli Lilly’s GLP-1 drug Mounjaro, she established healthier eating habits and incorporated regular exercise into her routine. Even after stopping the medication, she has maintained her weight loss and wants others to know that “life after Mounjaro can be sustainable.”

The Broader Implications

The difficulty in discontinuing these medications raises important questions about the long-term approach to obesity treatment. For many, obesity may need to be treated as a chronic condition requiring ongoing medication, similar to high blood pressure or diabetes management.

This perspective represents a shift in how we understand weight management, moving away from short-term interventions toward comprehensive, lifelong approaches that may include medication as one component of treatment.