A recent study suggests that individuals who come off blockbuster slimming jabs like semaglutide or tirzepatide may regain shed pounds far faster than those who halt traditional diet and exercise regimens.
Research printed in a prominent medical journal points out that while overweight individuals frequently drop substantial amounts of their total mass while on the medication, the mass returns at an estimated rate of nearly a kilo each month after stopping.
"People using such drugs need to be aware of the danger of fast rebound weight gain when the treatment concludes," warns researcher Dr. Susan Jebb.
This pace of recovery suggests a return to original mass within about one and a half years.
Weighing Treatments
The research, which looked at dozens of studies involving over 9,000 of participants, contrasted the effects of these new drugs with older methods.
The team emphasize that people who lose weight through dieting typically have a more gradual creep back—around 100 grams monthly—once they finish.
Explaining the Quick Regain
Doctors believe the way of the jabs is key to understanding the heightened rebound.
GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own chemical called glucagon-like peptide-1, which controls appetite.
"Sustained high doses of the hormone concentrations several times higher than the body's typical production may cause the system to generate a reduced amount of its own natural GLP-1, and could diminish responsiveness to its actions," said Dr. Adam Collins, a dietetics specialist.
"Stopping of this medication results in appetite is unsuppressed, making overeating much more probable."
An Ongoing Disease?
Medical guidelines advise the injections for people with obesity-related health risks, accompanied by prescribed diet and exercise modifications.
Many experts argue that, given the likelihood of weight regain, the therapy might need to be life-long.
This opinion is echoed by drug manufacturers, who note that the findings "emphasize the chronic nature of obesity," similar to managing diseases like diabetes.
User Experiences
Individuals who have stopped the medication describe a intense return of hunger.
"It was like a switch activating and you're instantly starving," described a patient.
This challenge is exacerbated if individuals have not adopted lasting dietary or behavioural changes during therapy.
Growing Use
Survey data indicate that millions of adults in the UK have tried these injections in the past year, with demand continuing to grow.
- Use is greater among women compared to males.
- The 40s and 50s age group shows the highest usage rates.
- Many obtain the drugs through private healthcare rather than public health services.
Ultimately, researchers caution that while GLP-1 drugs are potent tools for weight loss, they are not a standalone cure and long-term success hinges on combined behavioural changes.
