Study reveals how rapidly weight comes back after quitting obesity medications

Discontinuing the usage of GLP-1 weight-loss medications triggers value regain much than antecedently thought, a caller survey suggested.

The research, which was published successful The BMJ, recovered that stopping the drugs is besides associated with a reversal of improvements successful bosom and metabolic health, including cholesterin and humor pressure.

University of Oxford researchers analyzed 37 studies published up to February 2025, involving much than 9,000 participants who had undergone an mean of 39 weeks of weight-loss treatment.

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On average, patients regained astir 0.9 pounds per period aft stopping treatment. Researchers estimated that assemblage value and hazard markers for diabetes and bosom illness would instrumentality to pre-treatment levels successful little than 2 years.

On average, patients regained astir 0.9 pounds per period aft stopping treatment. (iStock)

The investigation besides revealed that the value came backmost connected astir 4 times faster than aft changing oregon quitting a fare oregon workout regimen, nary substance however galore pounds had been shed.

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"The grounds suggests that contempt their occurrence successful achieving archetypal value loss, these drugs unsocial whitethorn not beryllium capable for semipermanent value control," the researchers commented successful a property release.

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The survey authors acknowledged that lone 8 studies assessed attraction with newer GLP-1 drugs, astatine a maximum follow-up play of 12 months aft the medicine was stopped. This could service arsenic a limitation, though 3 further methods of investigation provided akin results.

These findings question the effectiveness of GLP-1s for semipermanent value loss, the researchers noted. (iStock)

In an editorial responding to the study, Dr. Qi Sun, subordinate prof of medicine astatine Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, wrote that these findings "cast doubt" connected the thought that GLP-1s are a "perfect cure for obesity."

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"People taking GLP-1 receptor agonists should beryllium alert of the precocious discontinuation complaint and the consequences of cessation of medications," helium said. "Healthy dietary and manner practices should stay the instauration for obesity attraction and management, with medications specified arsenic GLP-1 receptor agonists utilized arsenic adjuncts."

"Many of the patients who discontinue their GLP-1 drugs could person stayed connected them with the close personalized care."

"Such practices not lone assistance forestall excess value gain, but tin besides pb to galore wellness benefits that spell beyond value control."

Why patients quit

Recent reports person disclosed that much older Americans are deciding to discontinue their GLP-1s for a assortment of reasons.

Additionally, a 2025 survey published successful JAMA — which included much than 125,000 overweight oregon obese radical — recovered that astir 47% of those with benignant 2 diabetes and 65% of those without diabetes stopped taking their prescribed GLP-1s wrong a twelvemonth of starting them.

Common GLP-1 broadside effects see nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, headaches, fatigue and hairsbreadth thinning, according to experts. (iStock)

Users and experts person claimed that cost, musculus loss, dehydration and broadside effects are the astir communal reasons weight-loss drugs are discontinued.

Side effects often see nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, headaches, fatigue and hairsbreadth thinning, according to experts.

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In a erstwhile interrogation with Fox News Digital, Dr. Sue Decotiis, a aesculapian weight-loss doc successful New York City, noted that older patients are particularly much delicate to gastrointestinal broadside effects.

"Careful monitoring by a doc who is knowledgeable successful the country of aesculapian value nonaccomplishment is imperative," she said.

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"Often, utilizing a customized dosing program helps the diligent debar undue broadside effects and helps them pain much fat, which is the mechanics by which GLP drugs enactment semipermanent and systemically," she went on. "For definite patients, a high-quality compounded GLP-1 tin execute tailored dosing."

"Many of the patients who discontinue their GLP-1 drugs could person stayed connected them with the close personalized care."