According to a recent meta-analysis published in BMC Medicine, patients prescribed weight loss medications commonly experience weight regain after discontinuing their treatment.
The analysis found that while the amount of weight regain varies by drug, there is a consistent pattern of rapid weight regain observed in studies after discontinuation of anti-obesity medications. Researchers, including Xiaoling Cai and Linong Ji from Peking University People's Hospital in China, conducted the meta-analysis to investigate weight change in patients after they stopped taking anti-obesity medications, specifically glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.
The meta-analysis summarized the results of eleven independent studies from around the world, analyzing data from 6,370 adults in eight randomized controlled trials and three observational studies. The analysis included data from 1,574 participants in treatment groups and 893 in control groups.
Six of the eleven clinical trials focused on GLP-1 receptor agonists, particularly semaglutide—the active ingredient in medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy—and tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro. Other medications studied included orlistat, naltrexone-bupropion, and phentermine-topiramate.
Participants who completed a 36-week treatment with tirzepatide regained almost half the weight previously lost after switching to a placebo. Similar patterns were observed with other medications, with weight regain beginning as early as eight weeks after discontinuation. The weight regain continued for an average of 20 weeks before plateauing.
"These drugs enable patients to lose weight efficiently, but weight regain occurs more quickly than we usually see after diets," said Professor Susan Jebb, according to a press release published on EurekAlert.
The study found that weight regain varied with follow-up, with participants experiencing weight regain at eight, 12, and 20 weeks after stopping the medication. The amount of weight regained depended on several factors, including the type of medication taken and the consistency of lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise.
The meta-analysis did not include studies of lifestyle interventions or bariatric surgery. The authors noted that this lack of inclusion reduces the ability to compare different weight loss approaches within the context of the study. They emphasized the need for studies with longer follow-up to investigate possible factors associated with weight change after treatment interruption.
At least six anti-obesity medications have been approved for weight loss in adults, including semaglutide, liraglutide, tirzepatide, orlistat, naltrexone-bupropion, and phentermine-topiramate. While these medications are associated with weight loss during use, the meta-analysis highlights the common occurrence of weight regain after discontinuation.
The authors also noted cases where weight recovery occurs with other invasive methods, such as gastric bypass and vertical band gastroplasty. This suggests that weight regain after treatment cessation may be a broader issue not limited to pharmacotherapy.
Experts suggest that a longer-term, perhaps even lifelong, intake of these medications may be required for weight stabilization. The findings underscore the importance of a sustained approach to obesity management, rather than viewing weight loss medications as a short-term solution.
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