New research indicates that patients who stop using popular slimming jabs like semaglutide or tirzepatide tend to recover lost weight at a significantly accelerated pace than those who end traditional lifestyle programs.
Published data in a leading health publication points out that while obese people can lose substantial amounts of their total mass while using the jabs, the weight is regained at an estimated rate of 0.8 kg per month after stopping.
"Individuals buying such medications need to be informed of the risk of fast rebound weight gain when the therapy ends," cautioned researcher Dr. Susan Jebb.
That rate of regain means a return to original mass within about a year and a half.
Analyzing Therapies
The research, which examined dozens of studies involving thousands of patients, compared the effects of the injectable medications with conventional dieting.
Scientists point out that people who lose weight through diet and exercise generally have a more gradual weight regain—around 0.1 kg a month—after stopping.
Explaining the Quick Regain
Nutrition scientists propose the mode of action of the injections explains the accelerated rebound.
GLP-1 drugs copy a body's own chemical called GLP-1, which helps regulate appetite.
"Long-term administration of GLP-1 levels far above than normal might result in the body to generate a reduced amount of its endogenous GLP-1, and could diminish sensitivity to its actions," explained Dr. Adam Collins, a nutrition expert.
"Stopping of this GLP-1 'fix' leads to appetite is unsuppressed, making excessive eating much more probable."
A Lifelong Disease?
Medical guidelines advise the injections for people with weight-linked health risks, accompanied by recommended lifestyle changes.
Professionals contend that, due to the high risk of relapse, the treatment might need to be ongoing.
This view is echoed by drug manufacturers, who state that the findings "underscore the chronic nature of obesity," similar to managing diseases like diabetes.
User Accounts
Users who have stopped the medication describe a sudden resurgence of cravings.
"It felt as if a trigger flipping and you're instantly ravenous," recalled a patient.
This difficulty is compounded if patients have not developed sustainable dietary or behavioural changes during treatment.
Widespread Adoption
Figures show that a significant number of adults in the UK have tried these injections in the past year, with desire continuing to grow.
- Adoption is more common among women than men.
- The middle-aged demographic shows the highest usage rates.
- Many obtain the drugs through private healthcare rather than public health services.
Finally, researchers stress that while these medications are powerful tools for shedding pounds, they are not a standalone solution and long-term success relies on ongoing behavioural management.
