Study Reveals Effects of Discontinuing GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs
A recent study indicates that halting the use of GLP-1 weight loss medications may result in a greater weight regain than previously recognized.
The research, which appeared in The BMJ, highlighted that stopping the medication was linked to a reversal in improvements related to metabolic health, such as heart function, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure.
Researchers from the University of Oxford reviewed 37 studies held up to February 2025, encompassing over 9,000 participants who underwent weight loss treatment for an average duration of 39 weeks.
Reasons Behind Discontinuation
On average, individuals regained about 0.9 pounds each month after ceasing treatment. The researchers suggested that weight and health markers linked to diabetes and heart issues could revert to pre-treatment levels within two years.
The analysis further revealed that regardless of the total weight lost, individuals regained it nearly four times more quickly compared to if they had simply made changes to their diet or exercise routines.
“While these drugs can effectively produce initial weight loss, the implications of this study imply they might not be enough for sustained weight management,” the researchers mentioned.
They acknowledged that just eight studies assessed treatment with newer GLP-1 medications with up to 12 months of follow-up after stopping the drug. Despite this limitation, three additional analytical methods corroborated similar findings.
In response to the study, Dr. Chee Sun, an associate professor at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, expressed that these results raise questions about the perception of GLP-1 drugs as “the ultimate solution for obesity.”
He urged patients using GLP-1 receptor agonists to consider the high discontinuation rates and the effects of stopping the medication. He emphasized that maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle should be fundamental in managing obesity, alongside the potential use of GLP-1 medications.
He remarked, “It’s clear that many patients who discontinue GLP-1 treatments could have remained on them with appropriate, personalized care.”
Habits that foster healthy lifestyles can not only prevent excessive weight gain but may also yield various health benefits beyond just weight issues.
A recent report indicated that more older Americans are choosing to stop using GLP-1 medications for a variety of reasons. Additionally, a study published in 2025 revealed that approximately 47% of overweight individuals with type 2 diabetes and 65% without diabetes discontinued their GLP-1 prescriptions within a year of starting them.
Experts suggest that common triggers for stopping weight loss medications include costs, loss of muscle mass, dehydration, and various side effects.
Some of the frequent side effects reported are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, headaches, fatigue, and thinning hair. In past discussions, Dr. Sue DeCotis, a weight loss specialist from New York City, pointed out that older patients particularly tend to experience gastrointestinal side effects.
She noted the importance of close monitoring by physicians well-versed in medical weight loss. Tailored dosing can help alleviate some adverse effects and promote more efficient fat burning. This is how GLP-1 drugs are intended to function over the long term.
In summary, proper individualized care could enable many who have stopped GLP-1 treatments to benefit from continuing their use.
