How Long Can You Take Ozempic for Weight Loss?

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

About

Constance Tambakis Odom, MD graduated in 1987 with her Doctorate of Medicine from the New York Medical College, and was an Anesthesiologist Resident from 1988 to 1991 at the Brookdale Medical Center PGY II (CA-I)-PGY IV (CA-III). She is Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology since 1998 and American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine since 2002. Constance Odom, MD is affiliated with the American Medical Association, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, American Society of Anesthesiology, Georgia Society of Anesthesiology, Hellenic Medical Society of New York, North Carolina Society of Anesthesiology, and Society of Ambulatory Anesthesia.

Credentials

Medical Director At:

• Nu Image Medical
• MetroMedispa P.A.

Staff Anesthesiologist at:

• Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital in Dunn, NC
• Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, NC
• Duplin General Hospital in Kenansville, NC

Director of Anesthesia Services at:

• Jacksonville Surgery Center in Jacksonville, NC

Written by our editorial team.

Last Edited 1 year ago · 7 min read

If you are one of the many people considering taking Ozempic for weight loss, you may wonder if there’s a timeline for taking this medication. Ozempic is effective, easy to dispense, and offers astounding results. 

But is there a timeline for taking Ozempic, or can you take it for as long as you’d like? Ozempic is highly effective for weight loss, and it comes with few to moderate side effects. Experts assert that you can take Ozempic for as long as you want to achieve the results you want. Ozempic in itself is one of the better drugs for weight loss on the market.

Ozempic’s efficiency and safety were studied in 68-week clinical trials, the FDA said. The overall consensus of the study was that Ozempic is safe for use over a 68-week period, which indicates that it is safe for use over an extended period of time. According to health experts, GLP-1 medications used for obesity and weight loss are meant to be taken on a long-term basis. Ozempic is a GLP-1 medication. 

Even though Ozempic is not indicated specifically as a weight loss drug, studies have found that those who take Ozempic can lose modest amounts of weight. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, has been approved by the FDA for its ability to help those with obesity when it is taken at a higher dose. 

While Ozempic has been deemed safe for long-term use, it is important to know the drug’s side effects. Knowing Ozempic’s side effects helps you decide whether or not you should take this medication. According to experts, Ozempic has some contraindications that may not make it the best option for some individuals. Those who have multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 syndrome or medullary thyroid cancer should not take this medication. 

Those considering taking Ozempic should be aware of a number of things. Ozempic is intended to be injected under the skin of the stomach, thigh, or upper arm. It should be taken on the same day every week. However, if you’re going to change the day you take it, make sure you have two days between doses. Also bear in mind that it can take a few weeks before you see any weight loss.

Ozempic is intended for weight loss in individuals with a body mass index or BMI of 30 or above. Those with a BMI of 30 or above are considered clinically obese, making them great candidates for this medication. It is also intended for use in individuals with a BMI of 27. Individuals with a BMI of 27 are typically considered “significantly overweight.” Ozempic is especially helpful for those with a preexisting medical condition that is caused by extra weight. 

Those with preexisting conditions may find that their condition is worsened when they carry around extra weight. According to medical professionals, Ozempic is very effective in promoting weight loss. However, many who stop taking the medication find that they regain the weight they lost after they stop taking Ozempic. 

Ozempic works by slowing the rate at which food moves through your digestive system. Called gastric emptying, food is moved into the intestine during this process. When it takes longer for food to move through your system, you feel full for an extended period of time. This suppresses appetite and makes you less inclined to eat more and snack in between meals. 

Ozempic works and is effective in treating diabetes and weight loss when it is taken long-term. When you stop taking Ozempic, you typically regain most of the weight you lost within a couple of months, according to Forbes Health. 

It’s important to remember that blood sugar levels begin to lower within the first week of taking Ozempic. However, it can take as many as eight weeks for the medication to work, because it takes time for Ozempic to build up in your system. This is due to the fact that Ozempic is taken only once weekly. For those with type 2 diabetes, it is beneficial to take this medication for life. This is especially true for those with diabetes.

If you have diabetes and want to stop Ozempic, consider taking a different medication. Some people who take Ozempic decide to stay on it until they find a better medication that suits their needs. Some people stop taking Ozempic because they have an allergic reaction to the medication. Others may find that it’s simply not a good fit for them. Some people develop severe allergic reactions, such as swelling of the face, throat, or tongue and gallbladder problems.

 Most people who take Ozempic find that they lose a significant amount of weight. GLP-1 medications, as a whole, are designed to be taken long-term. GLP-1 medications are much more effective in promoting weight loss than are many other anti-obesity medications. In fact, GLP-1 medications are considered the “first line pharmacotherapy” for the management of obesity and weight loss.

Anti-obesity drugs that came before Ozempic are typically less effective than newer drugs like Ozempic. Because of this, taking Ozempic is beneficial for weight loss and maintenance, and staying on it provides a great opportunity to lose weight and maintain your weight loss long-term. Ozempic is especially attractive to individuals who have a preexisting comorbidity. 

According to experts, more than one third of American adults are living with obesity. If you carry a lot of excess body weight, you are more likely to experience weight-related problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, carcinoma, and sleep apnea. Taking Ozempic can cause you to lose five percent to 10 percent of your body weight. 

Ozempic allows you to see results like this. This has a significant and positive impact on the heart, often reducing your chances of experiencing a cardiovascular event that results in permanent damage or death. A controlled trial conducted in 2021 studied the effect of Ozempic injections on weight loss. This study yielded significant results, and those who took 2.4 milligrams of Ozempic each week attained significant and continued weight loss.

   Although it can take time for Ozempic to yield significant results, it is important to not give up. This medication begins to help blood sugar levels within one week. If you have a specific timeline for weight loss, it helps to know your chances of weight loss with this medication. One third of individuals who take this medication will see a 10 percent reduction in weight. Many people will see even more weight loss.

Individuals who lose a large amount of weight while taking Ozempic are typically followed by a doctor. However, those who make lifestyle changes, including diet and regular exercise, are usually more successful in their weight loss efforts. When used alongside treatment with Ozempic, lifestyle changes speed up weight loss results. 

Of course, it also helps to be aware of Ozempic’s side effects, especially if you are taking it as a lifelong therapy. In addition to the potential risk for thyroid cancer, some of Ozempic’s side effects include the following:

• Diarrhea

• Constipation

• Abdominal pain

• Nausea and vomiting

Some side effects are milder than others. Belching and stomach pain are typically mild side effects of Ozempic. However, some people may also notice a change in the way things taste, as a result of taking this medication. Other mild side effects include dizziness, acid reflux, stomach upset, and injection-site reactions. Injection-site reactions can include skin discoloration and redness. 

But what are the serious side effects of Ozempic? According to experts, Ozempic can produce a number of serious side effects. These include:

• Pancreatitis or swelling of the pancreas

• An increased risk of thyroid cancer

• Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar

• Gallbladder disease

While Ozempic can be taken indefinitely or for a fixed amount of time, you need to avoid certain foods when you take this medication. Experts recommend avoiding sugary foods and drinks, high-glycemic vegetables, alcohol, and refined carbohydrates. Drinking alcohol while taking Ozempic can lower your blood sugar levels. This is most likely to happen if you are taking insulin and have type 2 diabetes.

If you want to maintain weight loss and control your blood sugar, Ozempic is a great option. It may help to follow an “Ozempic Diet” when you take this medication. The Ozempic Diet requires that you decrease your consumption of carbohydrates and eliminate fatty and fried foods.

When it comes to weight loss, however, you can take Ozempic forever or as long as you want. It all depends on your situation. 

10 Sources 

Nu Image Medical has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references.

https://www.forbes.com/health/body/ozempic-for-weight-loss/

https://www.chp.edu/our-services/gastroenterology/patient-procedures/gastric-emptying-study

https://www.forbes.com/health/body/ozempic-for-weight-loss/

https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/long-ozempic-work-3543031/

https://www.ozempic.com/faqs.html

https://www.forbes.com/health/body/ozempic-for-weight-loss/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34170647/

https://www.myjuniper.co.uk/articles/expected-weight-loss-on-ozempic

https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/ozempic-side-effects

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypoglycemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20373685

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your physician about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Nu Image Medical may not offer the medications or services mentioned in this article.