How to safely stop taking Wegovy and keep the weight off after

There are a few reasons why someone might choose to stop taking Wegovy. These can range from the cost of the treatment to the side effects. Some people may choose to switch to other medications like Mounjaro or Ozempic for personal preference. In some cases, people might find weekly injections inconvenient or uncomfortable and seek alternative options.

Cost

While Wegovy can be accessed through the NHS, certain prescribing requirements need to be met, and you need to be referred to a specialist weight management service before you can get access.

This means a lot of people will have to pay for the medication, which can be costly. Depending on the dose, the price of Wegovy can range from £118.98 to £188.98 or higher for a 4-week supply, and this ongoing cost can be difficult to maintain for many.

Side effects

Like all medications, Wegovy can cause side effects in some people. The most common side effects of Wegovy include:

• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhoea
• abdominal pain

These are most common at the start of treatment and when increasing your Wegovy dose. Some people may experience severe side effects and find that they disrupt their daily life, leading them to discontinue the treatment.

Reaching your weight loss goal

Whether your aim is long-term weight loss or a short-term fix, reaching your weight loss goal may be a reason to stop taking Wegovy. As Wegovy is meant to be taken along with making lifestyle changes, people who reach their goal weight may feel confident that they can keep the weight off without the medication.

Switching treatments

If you’re not seeing the results you like on Wegovy, you may decide to switch from Wegovy to Mounjaro. This is because Mounjaro works slightly differently from Wegovy, since it’s not only a GLP-1 medication, but also a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) agonist. This dual action means Mounjaro is a little more effective than Wegovy overall.

➤ Check out our page on Wegovy vs Mounjaro vs Ozempic for more information on how these treatments compare.

You may experience several changes in your body when you stop taking Wegovy. GLP-1 medications like Wegovy work by mimicking the naturally occurring GLP-1 hormone, which plays a role in regulating blood sugar and appetite. Stopping the medication may cause your appetite to return to how it was before.

When you stop taking Wegovy, you will not get withdrawal symptoms, but you may still experience some side effects as your hormone levels change and your body adjusts. Potential side effects of stopping Wegovy may include:

• weight regain
• increased appetite
• increased blood sugar levels
• decreased feelings of fullness
• cardiovascular changes like elevated blood pressure

Studies have shown that after 1 year of taking 2.4mg of semaglutide weekly, participants on average regained two-thirds of their initial weight loss. This does not mean that weight regain is guaranteed, but it will help you to have a plan in place to minimise it.

When you stop taking Wegovy, it is important to do so with the help of a healthcare professional, as they will be able to guide you and suggest the safest and most suitable way for you to do so.

Some people may prefer to gradually reduce their doses instead of stopping suddenly. Gradually reducing your dose will allow your body to adjust more slowly and potentially help to minimise any symptoms you may experience, like cravings and an increase in appetite. However, because Wegovy stays in your system for 5 to 7 weeks after you stop it, stopping in one go is not likely to cause a massive change in appetite or cravings all at once, so it’s completely safe to just stop taking it.

When you stop Wegovy, it can be helpful to work with your doctor to develop a plan for weight loss maintenance, such as a diet and exercise plan, to help prevent weight regain.

To maintain your weight loss after stopping Wegovy, it’s important to keep following any lifestyle changes you have already made, such as eating a healthy, balanced diet and getting regular exercise. Another key factor for success is having a support system around you that can help you stick to your goals.

Diet

Your diet is an important part of helping to keep off the weight, and hopefully, you will already be following healthy diet habits that you can continue after stopping Wegovy.

Some diet strategies to help you include:

1. Eating a balanced diet – it is important to make sure you are eating a diet that includes the appropriate amount of all the food groups, including your 5 a day. This does not need to be every meal, but try for the overall week.
2. Limiting processed foods – these can disrupt your appetite regulation and lead to an increase in calorie intake and feeling less full. Processed foods can also have a negative effect on your metabolism and fat storage.
3. Managing portion sizes – being mindful of how much you are eating is important to make sure you are not eating too many calories.
4. Increasing protein and fibre – these nutrients can help to keep you fuller for longer and decrease the likelihood of overeating.
5. Prioritising whole foods – focusing on nutrient-rich foods like fruit and vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help to regulate your appetite, keep you fuller for longer, and help support a healthy metabolism.
6. Considering a calorie deficit – a deficit of around 500 calories a day can help maintain your weight loss, but try to avoid very low calorie diets as these can be difficult to maintain.
7. Drinking plenty of fluids – try swapping out sugary drinks for water.

Exercise

Staying active is important for maintaining weight loss and helping your overall fitness. It’s advised that adults aim for 150 minutes of activity a week, which can be broken down into smaller sessions. For best results when adding exercise into your life, it is important to:

• gradually increase activity over time
• incorporate movement into your daily routine, such as taking the stairs instead of a lift
• do strength training as well as cardio, such as squats or push-ups
• not over do it and hurt yourself

It’s most effective to incorporate both cardio and strength training in your routine. Exercises you can try include:

• walking
• running
• cycling
• high-intensity interval training (HIIT)
• deadlifts
• resistance training
• yoga or pilates

If you struggle with mobility, swimming can be a great option as it gives you a full-body workout while being gentle on the joints.