Weight Regain After Stopping GLP-1 Drugs Documented in Multiple Studies

Recent scientific reviews have examined the effects of discontinuing GLP-1 medications used for weight loss, focusing on the rate and extent of weight regain and related health changes.

An analysis published in the British Medical Journal evaluated 37 studies with over 9,300 participants who had used GLP-1 drugs for weight management. The review found that individuals who stopped these medications regained weight at an average rate of 0.4 kg per month, with most returning to their original weight within approximately 1.7 to 2 years.

The same BMJ review determined that the pace of weight regain after stopping GLP-1 drugs was nearly four times faster than the rate observed after ending diet or exercise programs. Participants in these studies typically lost about 33 pounds during treatment, but regained around 22 pounds within a year after discontinuation.

Additional findings from the BMJ review indicated that improvements in cardiometabolic health, such as lower blood pressure and cholesterol, also reversed after stopping GLP-1 medications. These health measures generally returned to pre-treatment levels within about 17 months following cessation of therapy.

What the numbers show

• Average weight regain after stopping GLP-1 drugs: 0.4 kg per month
• Participants lost about 33 pounds during treatment, regaining 22 pounds in one year after stopping
• Cardiometabolic improvements reversed in approximately 17 months post-cessation

A separate meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials reported that individuals with obesity regained an average of 5.63 kg after discontinuing GLP-1 receptor agonists, while those with type 2 diabetes regained 2.03 kg. The same analysis documented increases in HbA1c, waist circumference, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, and fasting plasma glucose after stopping the medication.

Earlier research presented at the European Congress on Obesity found that most weight lost from GLP-1 injections was regained within about 1.7 years. During treatment, participants lost approximately 8.3 kg, and within the first year after stopping, they regained about 4.8 kg.

The BMJ review, led by researchers at Oxford University, included data from 37 studies with roughly 9,341 participants. The average duration of GLP-1 treatment in these studies was 39 weeks, with an average follow-up period of 32 weeks after discontinuation.

According to commentary included in the research, the rapid return of weight following the end of GLP-1 therapy is consistent with the chronic and relapsing nature of obesity, drawing a comparison to how blood pressure can rise again when antihypertensive medications are stopped.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.