Study: Weight Returns Within Two Years After Stopping Ozempic, Wegovy

People who stop taking popular weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy could find themselves back at their starting weight within two years, according to a new University of Oxford review of existing research.

More than 15 million Americans currently use GLP-1 medications to lose weight. The drugs work by mimicking a hormone that signals fullness to both the brain and gut. But the Oxford analysis found that weight regain after discontinuing the medications happens even faster than it does for people who lose weight through diet and exercise alone.

Experts say the rebound may be tied to how the body adapts to the drugs. Once the injections stop, the body may produce less of its own natural fullness hormone and become less responsive to its effects—making overeating more likely.

Researchers emphasized the findings underscore that obesity is a chronic condition requiring long-term management, not a problem solved by a temporary treatment course.