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Individuals who discontinue the latest generation of injectable weight-loss medications, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, regain lost weight significantly faster than those who rely on diet and exercise alone, according to a new review published in the British Medical Journal.
The comprehensive analysis examined 37 clinical studies involving medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide. Participants lost an average of 15 kilograms during treatment but regained approximately 10 kilograms within a year of stopping the drugs. Researchers projected that most would return to their original weight within 18 months.
By contrast, individuals who lost weight through lifestyle changes regained weight over an average of four years, indicating that weight regain following drug therapy occurs roughly four times faster. Improvements in cardiovascular health markers, including blood pressure and cholesterol, were also reversed within 1.4 years after discontinuation.
“GLP-1 receptor agonists are a valuable tool in obesity management, but obesity is a chronic, relapsing condition,” said Susan Jebb, co-author of the study and a public health nutrition scientist at Oxford University. “These treatments may need to be continued long-term, similar to medications for blood pressure or diabetes.”
The review highlighted that around half of patients discontinue these medications within a year, often due to side effects such as nausea or high costs, which can exceed $1,000 per month in the United States.
Lead author Sam West, also of Oxford University, noted that faster weight regain was observed even after accounting for the amount of weight initially lost. Researchers suggested that sustained lifestyle changes, such as improved diet and regular exercise, may contribute to slower weight regain in individuals not taking medication.
Experts emphasized that GLP-1 drugs should be viewed as a starting point rather than a cure. Sustainable management of obesity is likely to require combination strategies, including long-term lifestyle interventions and therapies targeting metabolic and neurological pathways involved in energy regulation.
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