Patients Discontinuing Anti-Obesity Injections Put On Pounds at a Quadrupled Rate Than People Using Diet and Exercise

New research reveals that people who stop using new slimming jabs like Mounjaro or Wegovy can put back on shed pounds much more quickly than those who stop conventional lifestyle programs.

Published data in a prominent health publication points out that while overweight people can lose about a fifth of their body weight while using the jabs, the mass returns at an estimated rate of nearly a kilo each month after stopping.

"Users using these drugs must be aware of the risk of rapid weight regain when the therapy ends," cautioned researcher Dr. Susan Jebb.

That rate of recovery means a reversion to pre-treatment mass within about one and a half years.

Weighing Therapies

The analysis, which reviewed 37 of studies involving thousands of patients, contrasted the results of these new drugs with other pills.

Scientists point out that individuals who lose weight through dieting generally see a slower weight regain—around 100 grams monthly—post-intervention.

The Reason for the Fast Regain

Nutrition scientists believe the way of the injections accounts for the amplified regain.

GLP-1 drugs copy a body's own chemical called GLP-1, which helps regulate hunger.

"Artificially providing GLP-1 concentrations several times higher than the body's typical production could lead to the body to produce less of its own natural GLP-1, and may also reduce sensitivity to its actions," noted Dr. Adam Collins, a dietetics expert.

"Discontinuation of this GLP-1 'fix' means appetite is unsuppressed, making overeating far more likely."

A Chronic Disease?

Medical guidelines advise the jabs for people with weight-linked medical conditions, alongside recommended diet and exercise modifications.

Professionals say that, due to the significant potential of relapse, the therapy should be considered long-term.

This view is supported by drug manufacturers, who state that the findings "underscore the long-term nature of obesity," comparing it to managing diseases like diabetes.

User Accounts

People who have come off the medication describe a sudden return of cravings.

"I experienced a switch activating and you're instantly ravenous," described a patient.

This challenge is worsened if individuals have not adopted lasting dietary or behavioural changes during therapy.

Widespread Use

Recent estimates suggest that millions of adults in the UK have tried weight-loss jabs in the last 12 months, with demand continuing to grow.

• Use is higher among women compared to men.
• The middle-aged demographic shows the highest level of interest.
• Many access the medications through private healthcare rather than the NHS.

Finally, researchers caution that while these medications are powerful tools for shedding pounds, they are not a standalone fix and maintained weight loss relies on combined behavioural support.