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

Stopping Weight Loss Jabs May Result in Rapid Weight Regain Within a Year, Study Indicates

A recent study highlights that individuals using obesity-targeted injections may experience substantial weight recovery within a year of discontinuing treatment. The findings, shared by researchers from the University of Cambridge, reveal that after ceasing the drugs for 52 weeks, participants saw an average of 60% of lost weight returned.

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Their Broader Applications

These injections, classified as GLP-1 receptor agonists, were initially designed to manage blood sugar and insulin levels in type 2 diabetes patients. However, certain variants—such as semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro)—have been approved for obesity treatment on the NHS. Beyond weight management, the drugs also show promise in addressing substance use disorders, as demonstrated by a separate US study involving over 600,000 veterans.

“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,” explained Brajan Budini, a medical student at the University of Cambridge.

Budini noted that if the regained weight primarily consists of fat, the individual’s fat-to-lean mass ratio could worsen, potentially leading to negative health impacts. The study, published in eClinicalMedicine, underscores the need for further research into how these drugs influence weight composition during and after therapy.

Substance Use Reduction Linked to GLP-1 Injections

The US research, featured in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), found that veterans without prior substance abuse issues had a 14% lower risk of developing substance use disorders after initiating GLP-1 treatments. Additionally, those with existing addictions experienced a 31% reduction in emergency department visits, hospital admissions, and mortality related to substance misuse, as well as a decreased likelihood of opioid overdoses and self-harm incidents.

While the US study focused on older men, its results were also observed in women, suggesting broader applicability. The findings emphasize the dual role of GLP-1 receptor agonists in both preventing and managing addictions to substances like alcohol, tobacco, and narcotics.

Read more: GPs to be offered bonus for prescribing jabs, which weight loss jabs are available on the NHS, and whether weight loss jabs could be banned by next Olympics.