A recent study indicates that patients who stop using new GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide or tirzepatide tend to recover shed pounds much more quickly than those who halt traditional lifestyle plans.
Findings released in a major health publication points out that while obese people often shed about a fifth of their body weight while on the medication, the weight comes back at an average rate of 0.8 kg per month after stopping.
"People using such drugs need to be informed of the risk of quick rebound weight gain when the treatment concludes," warns researcher Dr. Susan Jebb.
This pace of recovery implies a reversion to original mass in about one and a half years.
Analyzing Approaches
The analysis, which examined 37 of trials involving thousands of participants, contrasted the outcomes of these new drugs with other pills.
Scientists point out that people who shed pounds through dieting typically see a less rapid weight regain—approximately 100 grams monthly—after stopping.
The Reason for the Quick Rebound
Doctors believe the way of the drugs explains the amplified rebound.
GLP-1 drugs mimic a body's own chemical called glucagon-like peptide-1, which helps regulate hunger.
"Sustained high doses of the hormone concentrations several times higher than normal might result in the body to generate a reduced amount of its own natural GLP-1, and could reduce sensitivity to its actions," noted Dr. Adam Collins, a nutrition specialist.
"Discontinuation of this GLP-1 'fix' means appetite is unsuppressed, making overeating far more likely."
A Chronic Condition?
Medical guidelines advise the jabs for people with obesity-related health risks, alongside recommended lifestyle changes.
Professionals say that, considering the significant potential of weight regain, the therapy should be considered long-term.
This view is reinforced by pharmaceutical companies, who note that the results "emphasize the persistent nature of excess weight," comparing it to managing diseases like high blood pressure.
User Experiences
People who have come off the jabs describe a sudden resurgence of hunger.
"It felt as if a trigger activating and you become ravenous," recalled a patient.
The struggle is compounded if users have not adopted lasting lifestyle or habit modifications during therapy.
Significant Adoption
Figures indicate that a significant number of adults in the UK have tried these injections in the past year, with demand continuing to grow.
- Use is more common among females than men.
- The 40s and 50s age group shows the greatest usage rates.
- Many obtain the drugs through private healthcare rather than public health services.
Finally, researchers emphasize that while the jabs are effective agents for weight loss, they are not a magic cure and maintained weight loss relies on integrated behavioural management.
