Recent research has provided insight into the effects on the body after discontinuing weight loss medications.
The use of drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro for weight reduction has gained traction in recent years, with many celebrities acknowledging their use. However, in the United States, only two of these medications are officially approved for the treatment of obesity, while Ozempic is sanctioned solely for type-2 diabetes management.
Despite their increasing popularity since 2021, when weight loss pens became a hot topic in Hollywood with figures like Whoopi Goldberg, Tracy Morgan, and Rebel Wilson discussing their use, there are notable side effects both during and after usage.
A study conducted by Han Wu and Wenjia Yang from Peking University People’s Hospital’s endocrinology and metabolism department in China indicates that individuals on GLP-1 medications may regain weight.
In this study, 11 randomized controlled trials involving 2,466 participants who used weight loss drugs for a minimum of four weeks were analyzed. The participants were monitored for at least another four weeks after stopping the medication.
The researchers assessed the weight changes of individuals while on the medications and the amount regained afterward. Four weeks post-medication, patients still showed some weight loss compared to those who never used the drugs, but the difference was not significant.
However, after eight weeks, participants reported gaining weight back, surpassing the weight of those who did not use the medication.
Three to five months after stopping the medication, weight regain persisted and even worsened, with the highest gain seen among those who used GLP-1 drugs.
Wu and Yang noted: “Significant weight regain occurred eight weeks after discontinuation of AOMs [anti-obesity medications] and was sustained through 20 weeks. Different weight regain was observed in subjects with different characteristics. Studies with longer follow-up duration are required to further investigate the potential factors associated with weight change after discontinuation of treatment.”
The manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovy, Novo Nordisk, emphasized that Ozempic is not intended for weight loss and shared the findings of its own research with UNILAD.
A spokesperson stated: “Results from the STEP trials demonstrate that weight regain is likely once medication is stopped. Clinical experts consulted by Novo Nordisk view obesity as a chronic disease that should be managed similar to long-term health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. These results are in line with other Glucagonlike peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) researched for weight loss.”
“Eligible patients for Wegovy® use should be referred to specialist weight management services by their GP or local pharmacists. These services provide knowledge, tools, and support for successful, sustainable weight loss with a focus on promoting long-term health and wellbeing. Weight management services typically include teams of dietitians, dietic support workers, clinical psychologists, counsellors, doctors, and nutritionists available to support on the weight loss journey.”
UNILAD has reached out to Eli Lilly and Company, the manufacturer of Mounjaro, for a comment.