Quick Weight Regain After Stopping Weight-Loss Injections
New research indicates that individuals who stop using weight-loss injections like Mounjaro or Wegovy may regain their lost weight significantly faster—up to four times quicker—than those who discontinue traditional dieting and exercise. The findings published in the British Medical Journal reveal that individuals can lose around 20% of their body weight while using these medications, yet they tend to gain back 0.8 kg every month post-treatment. Consequently, many may revert to their original weight within about a year and a half.
“People investing in these treatments should be aware of the likelihood of rapid weight regain after stopping,” cautions Dr. Susan Jebb from Oxford University. She emphasizes that this research is rooted in medical trials rather than real-life experiences and advocates for further studies on the long-term effects of these newer weight-loss medications.
The research team analyzed 37 studies, incorporating over 9,000 patients, comparing the effects of these popular weight-loss drugs to traditional dieting and other weight-loss pills. Notably, only eight of those studies specifically evaluated treatments with newer GLP-1 medications, like Wegovy and Mounjaro, with the longest follow-up period being just one year after treatment cessation—so these figures should be viewed as estimates.
While dieters generally lose less weight compared to those using the injections, they tend to gain it back at a more gradual pace—around 0.1 kg per month—though this can vary.
Concerns About Relapse
The NHS recommends the injections primarily for individuals dealing with obesity-related health risks, rather than for those seeking merely cosmetic weight loss. Medical professionals are also urged to promote lifestyle changes, emphasizing healthy eating and sufficient exercise to support weight maintenance. There’s a growing belief that these treatments may need to be used continuously, given the risk of relapse.
Experiences shared by former users of the injections often highlight an intense craving upon discontinuation. One individual remarked, “It felt like a switch flipped in my mind, prompting me to eat everything in sight, as if I deserved it after being restricted for so long.” Dr. Adam Collins from the University of Surrey suggests that the mechanisms of these injections in the brain and body might elucidate the heightened likelihood of weight regain once they’re stopped. They work by emulating a natural hormone, GLP-1, that controls appetite.
Dr. Collins points out, “When individuals artificially maintain GLP-1 levels much higher than normal for extended periods, their body could potentially produce less of its own GLP-1. This adaptation makes them less responsive to its effects. While on the medication, this isn’t an issue, yet once the ‘GLP-1 boost’ is removed, appetite regulation can falter, leading to overeating.” He adds that quitting abruptly can be quite difficult, especially for those who relied solely on these drugs without developing sustainable eating habits.
Recent estimations suggest that approximately 1.6 million adults in the UK have utilized these injections within the past year, primarily through private prescriptions rather than NHS channels. Furthermore, about 3.3 million people expressed interest in trying these “skinny jabs” over the next year, indicating that roughly one in ten adults either has tried or intends to try them, according to Cancer Research UK.
Addressing the Chronic Nature of Obesity
Prof. Naveed Sattar from Glasgow University believes that these injections could offer additional health benefits, particularly by aiding rapid weight loss. He asserts that even a reduction in weight lasting two to three years from short-term use could mitigate damage to joints, kidneys, or the heart. However, he highlights the necessity for more comprehensive long-term studies to clarify these effects.
“Long-term use of these medications allows individuals to sustain significantly lower weights compared to typical lifestyle changes, where weight regain is common,” he notes. Currently, GPs and specialized weight-management services do not automatically provide prescriptions for Mounjaro and Wegovy, even if patients have used them privately. Instead, the medications are prescribed to those with the most pressing clinical needs, provided they meet specific criteria, such as having weight-related health issues.
There is no designated time limit on Mounjaro prescriptions from the NHS, while Wegovy can only be prescribed for a maximum of two years. A representative from Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro, emphasized that these medications should be paired with healthy eating, physical activity, and close medical supervision, warning that cessation may lead to weight regain as part of the biological nature of obesity, not due to a lack of effort.
Similarly, Novo Nordisk, which produces Wegovy, states, “These findings underscore the ongoing nature of obesity, suggesting that continuous treatment is essential for maintaining weight improvements and overall health, akin to managing other chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension.”
