Do you have to continue taking Wegovy (semaglutide) after you lose the weight you want?
Yes, it is typically recommended that patients continue taking Wegovy® (semaglutide) even after they have reached their healthy weight. You’ll continue taking your Wegovy maintenance dose after your goal weight is achieved. As with other weight loss medications,it is recommended to continue this medication long-term for weight maintenance as there is a biological tendency to regain weight after losing weight. This was demonstrated in a study where patients took Wegovy up to 20 weeks, then half continued on the medication and continued to lose weight while the other half switched to a placebo (something that has no therapeutic effect) and regained the weight they had lost. If you are currently taking Wegovy, discuss any plans to stop your medication with your medical provider and talk with them about your recommended Wegovy maintenance dose after your goal weight is achieved. Recommendations for how long to stay on Wegovy suggest that a person can stay on Wegovy so long as they are tolerating the medication and it is deemed appropriate by their medical provider. For other commonly asked questions about Wegovy, check out our post.
Learn more on what to expect from Wegovy and how Form Health doctors prescribe Wegovy to help patients achieve their weight loss goals.
Lauren Lemieux, MD, FACP, ABOM diplomate
Dr. Lauren Lemieux completed her Internal Medicine residency and fellowship in Clinical Nutrition at UCLA. She is board certified in Internal Medicine and diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine, and as a Physician Nutrition Specialist. She is also a fellow of the American College of Physicians. Dr. Lemieux is passionate about helping her patients reach their health goals using personalized nutrition, lifestyle and weight management strategies.
Wegovy is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S.