Fresh analysis reveals that people who discontinue popular slimming jabs like Mounjaro or Wegovy can put back on reduced body mass at a significantly accelerated pace than those who stop conventional diet and exercise programs.
Published data in a leading health publication demonstrates that while overweight individuals often shed substantial amounts of their body weight while on the medication, the mass returns at an average rate of nearly a kilo each month after stopping.
"Individuals purchasing these treatments should be aware of the risk of rapid weight regain when the treatment ends," cautioned researcher Dr. Susan Jebb.
That rate of regain means a return to pre-treatment weight in about 18 months.
Comparing Approaches
The analysis, which looked at 37 of trials involving over 9,000 of patients, compared the outcomes of these new drugs with other pills.
The team note that individuals who lose weight through diet and exercise typically experience a slower weight regain—approximately 100 grams monthly—after stopping.
The Reason for the Quick Rebound
Doctors suggest the mode of action of the drugs explains the accelerated weight return.
GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own chemical called glucagon-like peptide-1, which helps regulate feelings of fullness.
"Sustained high doses of GLP-1 concentrations far above than normal could lead to the body to generate a reduced amount of its own natural GLP-1, and could lessen responsiveness to its actions," noted Dr. Adam Collins, a dietetics expert.
"Withdrawal of this medication means hunger is uncontrolled, making binge eating a significant risk."
A Lifelong Issue?
Medical guidelines advise the injections for individuals with weight-linked medical conditions, alongside prescribed diet and exercise modifications.
Many experts contend that, due to the high risk of relapse, the treatment might need to be long-term.
This perspective is supported by drug manufacturers, who note that the results "emphasize the chronic nature of obesity," akin to managing conditions like hypertension.
Patient Accounts
People who have stopped the medication report a powerful resurgence of hunger.
"It was like something activating and you become extremely hungry," recalled one woman.
This difficulty is worsened if users have not established sustainable lifestyle or habit modifications during treatment.
Growing Use
Recent estimates suggest that a significant number of adults in the UK have used weight-loss jabs in the past year, with interest being substantial.
- Use is more common among females than males.
- The 40s and 50s age group shows the highest level of interest.
- A large proportion access the medications through private prescriptions rather than public health services.
Ultimately, researchers stress that while GLP-1 drugs are potent agents for shedding pounds, they are not a magic fix and long-term success relies on integrated behavioural management.
