Why don’t some people lose weight on Ozempic?

Not all patients see the kind of results they were hoping for when it comes to Ozempic—even after taking semaglutide drugs for months while following doctors' orders.

Danielle Griffin, 38, lost only 13 pounds while taking Ozempic for a year and a half. “I’ve done everything right with no success. It’s discouraging,” she told VINnews.^[]

Patients are disappointed and frustrated

Online, patients share similar experiences and frustrations. “[I’m] weeks in with minimal, now completely, stalled loss,” said Reddit user @MasterpieceHot9868. “[I] mostly can’t really enjoy food much cuz I get full so fast. Is this worth it?”^[]

Another user shared that they had lost some weight, but credited it to their own lifestyle changes—not Ozempic. Reddit user @West_Coast-BestCoast said, “The weight I’ve lost is from making changes that would have resulted in weight loss on their own. I’m actually thinking about calling it quits with Oz.”

Understandably, these results can create a rollercoaster of emotions for patients—starting with the promise of a weight-loss solution, then needing to overcome the hurdles of the medication’s costliness and availability, and ultimately facing letdown on the scale.

We know there's no "magic pill"

Supriya Rao, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist working in private practice in the Boston area, says that weight loss is “often very complex and very individualized. Unfortunately, there is no ‘magic pill’ that works for everyone across the board struggling with weight loss."

We’re all too familiar with barriers to access, and many of us know what it’s like to have to counsel patients about how Ozempic isn’t a “miracle” weight loss drug. “While accessibility and affordability are often two of the biggest hurdles,” Dr. Rao says, “weight loss plateaus is often an issue as well.” In these cases, an individual may experience some weight loss followed by an extended period of no loss (or even weight gain).

Simply put, it's not for everyone

An important piece of the weight loss puzzle is lifestyle changes, implemented in conjunction with Ozempic or other medications. “It’s important to note that these medications are designed to be used in combination with diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes if needed,” says Dr. Rao.

In some cases, Ozempic may simply not be the best option for a patient. “Underlying health conditions may sometimes be at play, which can prevent weight loss,” Dr. Rao explains.

For other patients, Dr. Rao says, Ozempic is not suitable in the first place. For example, she does not prescribe it for patients who are pregnant or nursing, or those with severe GI issues or a history of pancreatitis. Ozempic is also contraindicated for patients with a family history of thyroid cancer or MEN syndrome, she adds.

Ultimately, patients must understand that weight loss should be approached with a sustainable, long-term plan. “The biggest misconception is that [weight-loss medications] are the ‘easy way out,’” Dr. Rao explains. “Weight loss is an individual journey that takes time and dedication.”