A new study suggests that people taking semaglutide for weight loss, including the brand Ozempic, are often willing to tolerate unpleasant side effects if they believe the medication is working.
The research, led by scientists at Rutgers Health and published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, found that the strongest factor influencing whether someone continues the drug is not how sick it makes them feel, but whether they see results.
People who noticed weight loss, reduced appetite, or fewer food cravings were far more likely to feel satisfied and continue treatment.
Semaglutide works in several ways. It helps the body release insulin more effectively and slows the emptying of the stomach, which can make people feel full for longer. It also affects appetite-control centers in the brain.
Although Ozempic was originally approved to treat type 2 diabetes, many people now use it off-label for weight management because of its powerful appetite-suppressing effects.
To better understand real-world experiences, researchers used a method called “infoveillance.” Instead of relying only on traditional clinical trials, they analyzed 60 anonymous online reviews posted on a health information website.
This approach allowed them to capture personal perspectives that are often missing from formal studies.
The analysis showed that about 67% of users reported weight loss or reduced appetite, which is consistent with results seen in clinical trials. Gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea and vomiting were common, reported by 62% of reviewers. However, these symptoms did not strongly affect satisfaction or the decision to keep using the drug.
In contrast, people who experienced little or no weight loss were much more likely to stop taking the medication, even if they did not report severe side effects. Non-digestive side effects also appeared to increase the likelihood of quitting.
Researchers say this pattern highlights how people weigh the benefits and downsides. For many users, the calculation seems simple: if the medication helps them lose weight, they are willing to endure significant discomfort. This finding reflects the strong demand for effective weight-loss treatments and the frustration many people feel after struggling with weight for years.
The study also suggests that better communication between doctors and patients could improve decision-making. Patients may benefit from understanding that side effects often vary in severity and that weight loss may slow or plateau over time. Setting realistic expectations could help people decide whether continuing treatment makes sense for them.
Looking ahead, researchers hope to explore whether men and women respond differently to semaglutide, how attitudes change over time, and whether the medication has mental health effects.
By combining clinical research with real-world patient experiences, scientists aim to paint a clearer picture of what long-term use of semaglutide truly means for patients.
