Ozempic Results: What to Expect at 1, 3, 6 and 12 Months
Ozempic's main testing focus was blood sugar. In STEP 1, which tested Wegovy, the same medicine at a higher dose, people on semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly lost 14.9% on average over 68 weeks, against 2.4% on placebo.
- Average loss, top dose
- 14.9%
- On placebo
- 2.4%
- Trial length
- 68 weeks
- Trial
- STEP 1
Ozempic: a quick overview
Its half-life is about 1 week: after 7 d, half is gone, and about 3% remains after five half-lives (35 d).
In SUSTAIN 1, people with type 2 diabetes lost 4.7 kg over 30 weeks, compared with 1.2 kg on placebo.
In US dollars, monthly price points include the list price and self-pay offers. Each figure appears on the maker's price page.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed), healthsystemtracker.org, prnewswire.com 1 2.
Ozempic results: the numbers first
Ozempic's main testing focus was blood sugar. Here, the weight trials tested Wegovy. It is that medicine at a higher dose.
| Trial | Dose group | Average weight lost | Placebo or comparison | Weeks | Who was in it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEP 1 | Semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly | 14.9% | 2.4% | 68 | Adults with obesity or overweight, without diabetes |
| OASIS 4 | Wegovy pill 25 mg daily | 13.6% | 2.4% | 64 | Adults with obesity or overweight, without diabetes |
| STEP 2 | Semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly | 9.6% | 3.4% | 68 | Adults with type 2 diabetes who also had obesity or overweight |
Sources: STEP 1 (FDA label (DailyMed)), STEP 2 (PubMed).
Understanding the average in pounds
The 14.9% trial average is applied here to three different starting weights. This figure is based on arithmetic and does not predict results for any one person.
| Starting weight | Average loss on semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly | Average loss on placebo |
|---|---|---|
| 180 lb | about 27 lb | about 4 lb |
| 220 lb | about 33 lb | about 5 lb |
| 260 lb | about 39 lb | about 6 lb |
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed).
A Week-by-week view
- Stomach side effects are most common during the first weeks, when the dose is still low and being increased. After each dose increase, they often come back for a few days.
- At Week 68, STEP 1 ended, and the average loss listed above was measured at that stage.
Sources: health.clevelandclinic.org, PubMed.
What makes it stall, and what helps
- See where you stand in the dose steps. Each trial above found less weight loss at lower doses.
- Count how many doses you missed or took late in the past month.
- Note down a few days of what you eat and drink. As portions shrink, liquid calories and grazing build up.
- Discuss thyroid or blood sugar tests with your prescriber. If progress has stalled for months, also ask about changing medicines.