Patients May Stop Taking Ozempic Due to Loss of Appetite

• Semaglutide, known as Ozempic and Wegovy, is a revolutionary medication for diabetes and weight loss.
• However, some people may experience side effects, such as a decreased interest in food.
• In an interview with Wired, a scientist expressed concerns that this side effect may cause people to discontinue the drug within 1 to 2 years.

Semaglutide, available as Ozempic and Wegovy, is regarded as a remarkable solution for type 2 diabetes and weight loss. These medications belong to a novel class that emulates GLP-1, a hormone responsible for regulating hunger signals in the brain, resulting in prolonged feelings of fullness. Beyond its primary applications, semaglutide is showing promise in addiction, heart health, depression, and cancer treatment.

However, there’s a catch. Some patients may experience various side effects, ranging from uncontrollable diarrhea to an aversion to food. In an interview with Wired, a scientist involved in the development of these drugs expressed concerns that these side effects might deter patients from prolonged usage, potentially leading to weight regain.

Semaglutide’s impact on quality of life

Eating not only satisfies hunger but also provides social interaction. When semaglutide diminishes food cravings, it can make life less enjoyable, according to Jens Juul Holst, a professor at the University of Copenhagen. Holst, who has been researching GLP-1 drugs since the 1970s, explained in his Wired interview that taking semaglutide comes at a “price” of potentially making life “miserably boring.”

A study in 2020 found that 70% of patients taking GLP-1 drugs for type 2 diabetes stopped using them within two years, although their adherence specifically for weight loss hasn’t been studied. One speculated reason is the decreased interest in food. Regardless, it is evident that people discontinue the use of these drugs.

Long-term usage is crucial for effectiveness

This poses a problem because sustained weight loss requires continuous use of semaglutide. A study in 2022 revealed that once patients discontinue the medication, they tend to regain weight.

As a result, some individuals opt for smaller “maintenance doses” of the medications, although the efficacy of this practice has yet to be studied.

Although concerns exist among doctors and insurance companies about a potential scenario where millions of Americans rely on these drugs indefinitely, Holst believes this is unlikely. Based on the experience with other GLP-1 drugs, he doesn’t foresee a significant portion of the population being on Wegovy for life.