Most clinical trials studying semaglutide for weight loss lasted between 68 weeks to 2 years, but there is no clear answer as to how long you must continue the medication in order to maintain your weight loss results. One of the most common questions we hear from women and men considering semaglutide for weight loss is, “Do you have to take semaglutide forever?”
Understanding How Semaglutide Works
Semaglutide is a medication that mimics a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This hormone plays a crucial role in regulating appetite and food intake. When you take semaglutide, it acts on the brain’s appetite control centers, reducing hunger and increasing feelings of fullness.
Besides suppressing your appetite, semaglutide helps you feel fuller for longer after eating because the food you consume stays in your stomach longer. It also helps stabilize blood sugar levels, which indirectly boosts your weight loss efforts. There has been a lot of talk about the additional benefit of quieting “food noise”—intrusive thoughts and anxiety related to food.
How long can you take semaglutide?
Some people may need to continue taking semaglutide indefinitely. The length of time you continue semaglutide treatments for weight loss can vary depending on your goals and other factors. Clinical studies and patient experiences during the past few years provide some general guidelines.
In clinical trials, the most substantial weight loss results were often seen in the first 20 to 30 weeks of treatment. After reaching their target weight, some of the participants transitioned to a maintenance dose designed to prevent regaining weight.
Do you have to stay on semaglutide forever?
The answer is a bit more complicated than yes or no. You don’t necessarily have to stay on semaglutide forever, but maintaining the results achieved during treatment may not be possible without continuing the medication. A 2021 clinical study found that people typically regained much of their weight after stopping weight loss treatments. An increase in appetite and caloric intake occurs fairly soon after stopping these medications.
However, a 2024 study showed that people who exercised while using a weight loss drug kept off far more of their weight after quitting the medication than people who didn’t work out, and they maintained more muscle.
The decision to continue or discontinue semaglutide treatments should be made after consulting with your medical provider and depends on several factors, including your overall health and if you’re experiencing more severe side effects.
It’s important to note that obesity is often considered a chronic condition that may require long-term management. Some individuals may benefit from ongoing treatment to maintain their weight loss and health improvements.
Considerations for Long-Term Use of Semaglutide
If you and your healthcare provider decide you can benefit from long-term semaglutide use, regular monitoring is essential. This includes:
- Regular check-ups to assess weight loss progress
- Monitoring for potential side effects
- Adjusting the dosage as needed
- Combining medication with lifestyle changes for optimal results
Are you a good candidate for semaglutide?
Semaglutide for weight loss is typically recommended for:
Adults diagnosed as obese: In general, this means you have a body mass index (BMI) higher than 30.
Overweight adults with comorbidities: This means your BMI is 27 or above and you have at least one weight-related health condition, such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes.
People who unsuccessfully tried other weight-loss efforts: Many women and men who benefit from semaglutide treatments have already tried dieting and lifestyle changes without achieving significant results.
You can read about how to get started with semaglutide treatments in our previous blog post.
Our easy 3-step treatment process begins with a visit to any of our Rejuvime Medical locations. A nurse will answer your questions and perform some initial blood work. You’ll then meet with a medical provider who creates a customized treatment plan. We’ll then ship the medication directly to your home. You can also call us at (225) 960-1580 or or request a consultation using the online form.
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