Stopping weight loss jabs can lead to rapid weight regain in one year, study suggests
Weight Loss Injections May Result in Significant Weight Regain Within a Year, Research Indicates
New research indicates that individuals who discontinue obesity-targeted injections often experience substantial weight recovery within a year. A study conducted by University of Cambridge researchers found that, after 52 weeks without the medication, participants regained 60% of the weight lost during treatment on average.
Long-Term Weight Management Concerns Highlighted
The study, published in eClinicalMedicine, suggests that “there is significant weight regain following cessation” of the drugs. However, the researchers noted that weight regain tends to stabilize, reaching 75% of the original loss by 60 weeks. This implies that 25% of the weight reduction could be maintained over time.
“Our projections show that even though people regain most of the weight they have lost, they still maintain some of the weight loss,” said Brajan Budini, a medical student at the School of Clinical Medicine and Trinity College, University of Cambridge. “What we currently don’t know is if the same proportion of lean mass is recovered. If the regained weight is disproportionately fat, individuals may ultimately be worse off than before in their fat-to-lean mass ratio, which may have adverse consequences for their health.”
GLP-1 receptor agonists, the class of drugs used for weight loss, work by mimicking the hormone GLP-1 to regulate blood sugar and insulin. Initially developed for type 2 diabetes, semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) are now approved for obesity treatment on the NHS. These injections also show potential in addressing substance use disorders, as demonstrated by a separate study involving over 600,000 US veterans.
Substance Use Reduction Linked to Weight Loss Drugs
Results from the U.S. study, published in the British Medical Journal, revealed that veterans without prior substance abuse histories had a 14% lower risk of developing substance use disorders after starting GLP-1 injections. The medications also reduced risks for specific substances: alcohol (18%), cannabis (14%), cocaine (20%), nicotine (20%), and opioids (25%).
For those already struggling with addiction, the drugs were associated with a 31% decrease in SUD-related emergency department visits, hospital admissions, and mortality rates. Additionally, they lowered the likelihood of drug overdoses and suicidal behaviors. While the study focused on older men, similar outcomes were observed in women.
Experts emphasize the need for further research to determine how these injections influence body composition during and after treatment. This could provide clearer insights into long-term health benefits and risks.
