Ozempic and similar weight loss injections remain very popular, but not everyone finds the results easy to maintain. John Kane, a former user, shared his experience of an unwanted side effect after stopping the drug for six months.
Kane, now in his 70s, started using a medicine like Ozempic after his weight climbed to around 19 stone (about 266 pounds). After joining a clinical trial, he lost a significant amount of weight and improved his health. “I had been pre-diabetic, and I wasn’t anymore,” Kane said.
However, after a year of paying over €275 a month, Kane stopped using the drug due to cost. He soon noticed his appetite grew worse, and despite careful eating, he regained half the weight he had lost within six months.
Kane explained how this affected his mental health. “Mentally you hit the rocks. It was really affecting me. I’m not one to be depressed, but it really bit into me.”
His wife urged him to restart the treatment, and Kane is now on a lower maintenance dose with plans to continue it long term.
Experts say that stopping these drugs can lead to weight gain if lifestyle changes are not made. Dr. Emma Cunningham advises users to combine medication with healthy eating and exercise. “The most successful patients get on board with lifestyle changes,” she said.
Kane’s story highlights the challenges of relying solely on weight loss injections. While effective, they require commitment and may lead to setbacks when stopped without proper support.
