A recent study reveals that people who stop using popular slimming jabs like semaglutide or tirzepatide tend to recover reduced body mass far faster than those who stop conventional lifestyle programs.
Published data in a prominent medical journal shows that while overweight people frequently drop about a fifth of their body weight while on the medication, the weight is regained at an average rate of 0.8 kg per month after stopping.
"People buying such drugs must be cognizant of the danger of fast rebound weight gain when the therapy ends," stated lead investigator Dr. Susan Jebb.
Such speed of recovery suggests a reversion to original mass within about 18 months.
Analyzing Therapies
The research, which looked at 37 of studies involving over 9,000 of patients, compared the outcomes of these new drugs with other pills.
The team point out that people who lose weight through lifestyle changes alone generally experience a slower weight regain—around 0.1 kg a month—post-intervention.
The Reason for the Rapid Regain
Doctors believe the mechanism of the drugs accounts for the amplified weight return.
These medications mimic a natural hormone called GLP-1, which controls appetite.
"Long-term administration of GLP-1 concentrations several times higher than normal might result in the system to produce less of its endogenous GLP-1, and could lessen responsiveness to its actions," said Dr. Adam Collins, a nutrition specialist.
"Stopping of this hormone supplement results in hunger is no longer kept in check, making overeating far more likely."
An Ongoing Issue?
Health authorities advise the jabs for people with obesity-related health risks, alongside recommended diet and exercise modifications.
Many experts say that, given the high risk of relapse, the therapy should be considered ongoing.
This opinion is reinforced by drug manufacturers, who note that the findings "highlight the chronic character of excess weight," akin to managing conditions like hypertension.
User Experiences
Users who have come off the medication describe a intense resurgence of appetite.
"It felt as if a trigger activating and you become extremely hungry," described a patient.
This challenge is exacerbated if users have not adopted permanent dietary or behavioural modifications during treatment.
Widespread Adoption
Survey data indicate that a significant number of adults in the UK have tried weight-loss jabs in the last 12 months, with demand remaining high.
- Use is more common among females compared to men.
- The 40s and 50s demographic shows the greatest usage rates.
- A large proportion obtain the drugs through private prescriptions rather than the NHS.
In conclusion, clinicians caution that while these medications are powerful tools for shedding pounds, they are not a standalone fix and maintained weight loss relies on ongoing lifestyle support.
