Fresh analysis suggests that people who discontinue popular weight-loss injections like Mounjaro or Wegovy may regain lost weight at a significantly accelerated pace than those who stop traditional lifestyle plans.
Research printed in a leading medical journal demonstrates that while obese people often shed about a fifth of their total mass while using the jabs, the mass comes back at an estimated rate of 0.8 kg per month once they quit.
"People buying such drugs need to be aware of the danger of rapid weight regain when the treatment concludes," stated researcher Dr. Susan Jebb.
That rate of recovery suggests a reversion to pre-treatment weight in about 18 months.
Comparing Approaches
The research, which looked at 37 of studies involving thousands of participants, compared the results of GLP-1 agonists with conventional dieting.
Researchers point out that people who lose weight through diet and exercise typically experience a less rapid creep back—perhaps 0.1 kg a month—after stopping.
Understanding the Rapid Regain
Doctors suggest the mechanism of the injections is key to understanding the heightened rebound.
The injections mimic a body's own chemical called GLP-1, which helps regulate feelings of fullness.
"Long-term administration of the hormone concentrations several times higher than normal could lead to the body to generate a reduced amount of its own natural GLP-1, and could diminish sensitivity to its actions," noted Dr. Adam Collins, a nutrition expert.
"Discontinuation of this medication results in appetite is unsuppressed, making binge eating a significant risk."
A Chronic Issue?
Medical guidelines recommend the injections for individuals with weight-linked health risks, alongside recommended diet and exercise modifications.
A number of clinicians argue that, given the high risk of relapse, the treatment should be considered ongoing.
This view is echoed by drug manufacturers, who state that the findings "underscore the chronic nature of excess weight," similar to managing conditions like diabetes.
Patient Experiences
Individuals who have stopped the jabs describe a sudden return of appetite.
"It was like a trigger activating and you become extremely hungry," said an individual.
This challenge is compounded if patients have not adopted permanent lifestyle or habit changes during treatment.
Significant Interest
Survey data indicate that millions of people in the UK have used these injections in the past year, with interest continuing to grow.
- Use is greater among women compared to men.
- The 40s and 50s age group shows the greatest level of interest.
- A large proportion access the drugs through private prescriptions rather than public health services.
In conclusion, clinicians stress that while the jabs are powerful agents for weight loss, they are not a standalone cure and maintained weight loss likely depends on combined lifestyle management.
