Stopping weight loss jabs can lead to rapid weight regain in one year, study suggests

Stopping Weight Loss Jabs Can Lead to Rapid Weight Regain in One Year, Study Suggests

Significant Weight Rebound Observed in Discontinuation Studies

A new investigation indicates that individuals who discontinue obesity treatments may experience a substantial return of lost weight within a year. Researchers at the University of Cambridge highlighted that, after 52 weeks of stopping the medication, participants typically regained around 60% of the weight they had previously lost.

GLP-1 receptor agonists, the class of drugs commonly referred to as “weight loss jabs,” function by replicating the hormone GLP-1 to control blood sugar and insulin. Originally designed for managing type 2 diabetes, certain formulations such as semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) are now authorized for obesity management on the NHS.

Broader Applications for Weight Loss Jabs in Substance Use

Additionally, a separate study involving over 600,000 U.S. veterans with type 2 diabetes reported that these jabs could help mitigate addiction risks. It found that individuals without prior substance use issues had a 14% lower likelihood of developing disorders like alcohol or cannabis misuse after starting the treatment.

For those already struggling with addiction, the drugs were linked to a 31% reduction in emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and related fatalities. The findings, published in the British Medical Journal, also noted decreased risks for cocaine (20%), nicotine (20%), and opioids (25%) among veterans on GLP-1 agonists compared to others on diabetes medications.

Long-Term Weight Management Uncertain

Brajan Budini, a medical student at the University of Cambridge, noted:

“Our projections show that even though people regain most of the weight they have lost, they still maintain some of the weight loss, but what we currently don’t know is if the same proportion of lean mass is recovered.”

While the Cambridge study, which analyzed six trials involving over 3,200 participants, found weight regain tends to stabilize by 60 weeks, the researchers emphasized the need for further exploration into whether the composition of weight loss—particularly the balance between fat and lean mass—remains favorable over time. They urged additional research to clarify long-term health implications.

Although the U.S. study focused primarily on older men, comparable outcomes were observed in women, underscoring the potential broad applicability of these drugs. The research underscores the importance of understanding how GLP-1 agonists influence brain pathways related to cravings, offering insights into their role in both preventing and treating substance misuse.