New research suggests that patients who stop using popular GLP-1 drugs like Mounjaro or Wegovy tend to recover lost weight at a significantly accelerated pace than those who stop traditional lifestyle regimens.
Research printed in a prominent medical journal demonstrates that while obese individuals often shed a large proportion of their body weight while on the medication, the mass comes back at an estimated rate of nearly a kilo each month after stopping.
"Individuals buying such medications need to be informed of the potential of fast weight regain when the therapy concludes," warns researcher Dr. Susan Jebb.
This pace of regain suggests a return to pre-treatment weight within about one and a half years.
Comparing Approaches
The study, which reviewed dozens of studies involving thousands of participants, contrasted the outcomes of these new drugs with conventional dieting.
The team emphasize that individuals who shed pounds through lifestyle changes alone generally have a less rapid weight regain—approximately 0.1 kg a month—post-intervention.
Understanding the Fast Rebound
Nutrition scientists suggest the mechanism of the injections accounts for the accelerated rebound.
These medications copy a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, which controls hunger.
"Long-term administration of GLP-1 concentrations several times higher than normal might result in the body to generate a reduced amount of its endogenous GLP-1, and may also diminish sensitivity to its actions," noted Dr. Adam Collins, a nutrition researcher.
"Stopping of this GLP-1 'fix' leads to hunger is unsuppressed, making binge eating a significant risk."
An Ongoing Issue?
Medical guidelines suggest the injections for people with weight-linked medical conditions, accompanied by prescribed lifestyle changes.
Professionals contend that, due to the likelihood of relapse, the treatment might need to be ongoing.
This perspective is reinforced by pharmaceutical companies, who say that the results "underscore the long-term nature of excess weight," akin to managing conditions like hypertension.
Patient Experiences
People who have stopped the medication explain a intense resurgence of cravings.
"It was like a trigger that goes on and you become extremely hungry," recalled a patient.
This challenge is exacerbated if users have not established permanent lifestyle or habit modifications during therapy.
Growing Use
Recent estimates suggest that millions of people in the UK have used weight-loss jabs in the last 12 months, with demand remaining high.
- Use is higher among women than men.
- The 40s and 50s age group shows the greatest usage rates.
- A large proportion obtain the medications through private healthcare rather than public health services.
Ultimately, clinicians caution that while GLP-1 drugs are potent tools for shedding pounds, they are not a standalone solution and maintained weight loss relies on ongoing behavioural changes.
