Most people stop using Wegovy and Ozempic after 2 years, analysis finds (2025)

Only 1 in 4 U.S. patients prescribed Novo Nordisk’sWegovy or Ozempic for weight loss were still taking the popular medications two years later, according to an analysis of U.S. pharmacy claims provided to Reuters that also showed a steady decline in use over time.

The analysis does not include details about why patients quit. But it does offer a longer view on the real-world experiences of patients taking the drugs than previous research that studied use over a year or less.

Evidence that many people may stop using the weight-loss therapies not long after starting is influencing a debate over their cost to patients, employers and government health plans.

Wegovy and similar medicines, which belong to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, can cost more than $1,000 per month, and may require extended use to yield meaningful benefits.

Their U.S. prices havedrawn fire recentlyfrom President Joe Biden and other public officials, who said such drugs could cost the country $411 billion per year if only half of adults with obesity used them. That is $5 billion more than Americans spent on all prescription drugs in 2022.

“GLP-1s for all isn’t cost effective,” said Dr. Rekha Kumar, an obesity specialist at New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center and chief medical officer at Found, an online weight-loss program. “People want to provide obesity care to their employees, but they want to do it in a way that doesn’t bankrupt them.”

More news on weight loss drugs

  • Wegovy users keep weight off for 4 years, new analysis finds.
  • Ozempic may be linked to condition that causes blindness, but more research is needed.
  • Weight loss drugs like Wegovy are meant for long-term use. What happens if you stop?

Prime Therapeutics and Magellan Rx Management, a pharmacy benefits manager, reviewed pharmacy and medical claims data for 3,364 people with commercial health plans that cover GLP-1 drugs. They had all received new prescriptions between January and December 2021, and had a diagnosis of obesity or a body mass index of 30 or higher.

The PBM excluded patients using the drugs for type 2 diabetes, for which these medicines were originally developed. The mean age of patients included in the analysis was 46.5 and 81% were female.

Last year, Prime published data that found 32% of patients were still taking a GLP-1 medicine for weight loss 12 months after their initial prescription. The new data shows that overall, for all the drugs included in the study, only about 15% were still on their medication after two years.

For Wegovy, 24.1% of patients persisted with therapy over two years without a gap of 60 days or more, down from 36% who had stayed on the drug for a full year. With Ozempic, which has the same active ingredient as Wegovy — semaglutide — 22.2% of patients kept filling their prescriptions at two years, down from 47.1% who had used it for one year.

Older GLP-1 drugs fared worse. At two years, only 7.4% of patients were still taking Novo’s Saxenda, a less effective weight-loss drug that some health plans require patients try before newer GLPs like Wegovy or Eli Lilly’sZepbound.

Most people stop using Wegovy and Ozempic after 2 years, analysis finds (1)

In the analysis, 45% of patients were taking Ozempic or Wegovy. Others were taking Saxenda or Victoza, which are both liraglutide, Rybelsus, an oral version of semaglutide, or Lilly’s Trulicity (dulaglutide).

The analysis also found that 26% of patients switched GLP-1 drugs during therapy, perhaps reflecting shortages or changes in insurance coverage, according to Dr. Patrick Gleason, assistant vice president for health outcomes at Prime/MRx and a co-author of the analysis.

Both Novo and Lilly have been unable to keep up withunprecedented demandfor the new medicines.

'No one really knows'

Novo Nordisk in a statement cited several limitations to the analysis. It noted that Wegovy wasn’t launched until June 2021, the middle of the study period, and wasn’t immediately covered by insurance. And Ozempic isn’t approved for weight loss, which can affect patients’ coverage and persistence with therapy, the Danish drugmaker said.

The company said it “does not believe these data are sufficient to draw conclusions about overall patient adherence and persistence to various GLP-1 medicines, including our treatments.”

The newer GLP-1s in clinical trials helped people lose more than 15% of their body weight by suppressing appetite and promoting a feeling of fullness. They are being tested for a host of other health benefits that could improve insurance coverage.

Wegovy in Marchwon U.S. approvalfor reducing the risk of strokes and heart attacks in overweight and obese adults.

The analysis didn’t track long-term use of Lilly’s Mounjaro and Zepbound, which launched after the study’s starting point. Eli Lilly declined to comment on the overall findings.

Prime/MRx did not ask patients why their prescriptions stopped. Gleason said it’s likely a mix of side effects such as nausea and vomiting, out-of-pocket costs not covered by insurance and supply shortages.

Some patients may decide to stop the medication after successfully losing weight, doctors said. Other studies have shown that most patients who quit their GLP-1 drugs usually regain most of the weight.

“No one really knows how long you should be on these medications,” said Dr. Walid Gellad, a professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh who studies medication adherence.

Some clinics and telehealth services aren’t screening patients properly or providing adequate coaching on nutrition and exercise alongside the drug, Kumar said, leading to poor results and patients giving up.

Prime/MRx is owned by 19 U.S. Blue Cross and Blue Shield health insurance plans and manages pharmacy benefits for about 38 million people.

Dr. David Lassen, the PBM’s chief clinical officer, called the steady drop in persistence two years into therapy concerning.

“It’s not leveling off but getting slightly worse,” he said. “It’s really about sustainability of weight loss in order to achieve long-term outcomes.”

Most people stop using Wegovy and Ozempic after 2 years, analysis finds (2)

Reuters

Reuters

Most people stop using Wegovy and Ozempic after 2 years, analysis finds (2025)

FAQs

Most people stop using Wegovy and Ozempic after 2 years, analysis finds? ›

Only 1 in 4 U.S. patients prescribed Novo Nordisk's Wegovy or Ozempic for weight loss were still taking the popular medications two years later, according to an analysis of U.S. pharmacy claims provided to Reuters that also showed a steady decline in use over time.

How long do people stay on Wegovy? ›

Key takeaways: Most people take Wegovy indefinitely to maintain their weight loss. Taking Wegovy long term might expose you to certain risks, like pancreatitis and gallbladder problems. But having excess weight also puts you at risk for health problems.

Can you stay on Ozempic for life? ›

Treatment with drugs like Ozempic requires life-long commitment, as discontinuing the medication often leads to weight regain. Patients may face side effects, including nausea, reflux, abdominal cramping, delayed gastric emptying, and constipation, which might affect their ability or willingness to continue treatment.

What happens when you stop taking Wegovy? ›

Currently, only Wegovy is approved for weight loss in the United States. Semaglutide is also used to manage type 2 diabetes. Regardless of the health goal or semaglutide brand, this medication leads to weight loss. Once you stop taking it, you are likely to gain the weight back, or at least a percentage of it.

What is the long term impact of Wegovy? ›

There are potential long-term effects of Wegovy.

They include pancreatitis, acute kidney injury, gallbladder problems, increased heart rate, diabetic retinopathy, mental health issues, and potentially thyroid cancer. Just to hammer it home, in each case, these complications are rare.

Is Wegovy a lifetime drug? ›

Many researchers think that Wegovy and Ozempic should be taken for life, but myriad factors can force people off them.

Does Wegovy change your face? ›

What is 'Ozempic face'? Significant weight loss on the drug can change your face, doctors say. Significant weight loss with drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, prescribed to treat Type 2 diabetes and obesity, can lead to changes in facial appearance, doctors say.

Does Ozempic lose potency over time? ›

If semaglutide (Ozempic) is not refrigerated as the manufacturer recommends, over time, it may become less effective or ineffective. Higher temperatures or exposure to room temperature for too long may damage the medication and remove its ability to help manage blood sugar levels.

Do you need to wean off Ozempic? ›

Weaning off Ozempic slowly instead of quitting abruptly can help prevent patients from regaining weight, study says. The study also suggests that patients might be able to maintain their weight for several months after stopping treatments.

How long can you stay on semaglutide for weight loss? ›

That being said, most patients will stay on Semaglutide for weight loss for at least one year, but it is very common to be on it for multiple years, if not longer.

What happens if you overeat on Wegovy? ›

Wegovy interacts with the brain to lower appetite and reduce hunger, helping you eat fewer calories. Additionally, you may find it challenging to overeat as this can cause more severe GI-related symptoms such as bloating, cramping, and even vomiting.

How do you maintain weight loss after taking Wegovy? ›

To sustain weight loss after stopping Wegovy, one should commit to a consistent routine that includes a balanced diet and regular physical activity. Monitoring caloric intake and having a support system in place can also be beneficial.

Does Wegovy cause pancreas problems? ›

Some side effects can cause long-term complications. These include gallbladder and pancreas problems, gastroparesis, and blocked intestines. But most of the time, these issues improve by stopping the medication.

Is Wegovy safer than Ozempic? ›

Wegovy and Ozempic carry the same side effect profile, but the side effects of Wegovy may be more severe because Wegovy contains a higher dose of semaglutide.

Do I have to stay on Wegovy forever? ›

Patients should be prepared to take Wegovy for years since there isn't “an antibiotic for weight,” Yancy notes. That doesn't mean they have to take the medicine forever: sticking with lifestyle changes can allow them to come off it eventually, he adds.

Does Wegovy cause organ failure? ›

Your doctor will likely monitor your blood sugar more closely while you're using Wegovy. Kidney problems: In rare cases, Wegovy can cause damage to the kidneys, including kidney failure.

How long do you stay on semaglutide for weight loss? ›

That being said, most patients will stay on Semaglutide for weight loss for at least one year, but it is very common to be on it for multiple years, if not longer.

How much weight can you lose in 3 months with Wegovy? ›

How fast do you lose weight on Wegovy? Wegovy and other GLP-1 weight-loss medications can help you lose weight quickly. Most people can expect to lose more than 5% of their current body weight within 3 months.

What is maintenance on Wegovy? ›

Wegovy® comes in 5 different dose strengths, which are injected under the skin. The starting dose is 0.25 mg once a week, and you will gradually increase your dose every four weeks. Your health care provider can select either 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg for your maintenance dose.

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