Oxford, United Kingdom – A new study has raised concerns about the long-term effectiveness of popular weight-loss medications, including GLP‑1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound. Researchers warn that people who stop taking these drugs regain weight up to four times faster than those who lose weight through conventional diet and exercise, highlighting a growing challenge in managing obesity as a chronic condition.
The research, published in the British Medical Journal, analysed 37 clinical trials involving over 9,000 participants. It found that participants who discontinued medication regained weight at a rate of 0.4 kilograms per month, returning to their original weight within roughly 18 months. In comparison, individuals who lost weight through diet and exercise alone typically took around four years to regain the same amount of weight.
Experts explain that while GLP‑1 drugs are highly effective in helping patients achieve significant weight loss, they do not provide a permanent solution to obesity. “These medications are powerful tools, but stopping them without sustained lifestyle changes often leads to rapid rebound,” said Dr. Sam West of Oxford University, one of the study’s lead authors.
GLP‑1 receptor agonists work by mimicking hormones that regulate appetite, helping patients feel fuller for longer and lose substantial weight. However, when the medication is stopped, both weight and metabolic improvements — including lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels — tend to return to pre-treatment levels within 1.4 to 1.8 years.
Researchers also noted that the faster rebound is partly linked to the greater initial weight loss achieved with these drugs, though the trend persists even after adjusting for the amount of weight lost. This underscores the reality that obesity is a relapsing and chronic condition, and no single intervention, whether pharmaceutical or dietary, can offer a permanent cure.
Health professionals emphasise the importance of combining medication with long-term lifestyle support, including diet, physical activity, and behavioural therapy, to improve the chances of maintaining weight loss. The study also highlights the need for clear guidance on ongoing weight management after discontinuing medication, ensuring patients are prepared for the possibility of rapid rebound.
As weight-loss drugs continue to gain popularity globally, the findings serve as a crucial reminder: temporary solutions without lasting support may not be enough, and sustainable approaches to obesity require chronic care strategies that extend beyond medication alone.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.