Study Reveals How Quickly Weight Returns After Stopping Obesity Medications

Stopping use of weight loss medication GLP-1 causes more weight regain than previously thought, a new study suggested.

The research, which was published in The BMJ, found that stopping the medications is also associated with a reversal of improvements in heart and metabolic health, including cholesterol and blood pressure.

Researchers at the University of Oxford analyzed 37 studies published through February 2025, involving more than 9,000 participants who had undergone an average of 39 weeks of weight-loss treatment.

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On average, patients regained about 0.9 pounds per month after stopping treatment. The researchers estimated that body weight and risk markers for diabetes and heart disease would return to pretreatment levels in less than two years.

The analysis also revealed that the weight came back on almost four times faster than after changing or abandoning a diet or exercise regimen, regardless of how many pounds had been lost.

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“Evidence suggests that despite their success in achieving initial weight loss, these medications alone may not be sufficient for long-term weight control,” the researchers commented in a news release.

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The study authors acknowledged that only eight studies evaluated treatment with newer GLP-1 drugs, with a follow-up period of up to 12 months after stopping the drug. This could be a limitation, although three additional analysis methods provided similar results.

In an editorial responding to the study, Dr. Qi Sun, an associate professor of medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, wrote that these findings “cast doubt” on the idea that GLP-1 is a “perfect cure for obesity.”

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“People taking GLP-1 receptor agonists should be aware of the high discontinuation rate and the consequences of stopping the medications,” he said. “Healthy dietary and lifestyle practices should remain the basis for the treatment and management of obesity, with medications such as GLP-1 receptor agonists used as adjuncts.”

“Many of the patients who stopped their GLP-1 medications could have continued them with appropriate personalized care.”

“These practices not only help prevent excessive weight gain, but can also have numerous health benefits that go beyond weight management.”

Why do patients drop out?

Recent reports have revealed that more and more older Americans are deciding to quit GLP-1 for a variety of reasons.

Additionally, a 2025 study published in JAMA, which included more than 125,000 people who were overweight or obese, found that nearly 47% of people with type 2 diabetes and 65% of people without diabetes stopped taking prescribed GLP-1s within a year of starting them.

Users and experts have stated that cost, muscle loss, dehydration, and side effects are the most common reasons why weight loss medications are discontinued.

Side effects typically include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, headaches, fatigue and hair loss, according to experts.

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In a previous interview with News Digital, Dr. Sue Decotiis, a weight loss specialist in New York City, noted that older patients are especially more sensitive to gastrointestinal side effects.

“Careful follow-up by a physician knowledgeable in the area of ​​medical weight loss is imperative,” he said.

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“Using a personalized dosing plan often helps the patient avoid undue side effects and helps them burn more fat, which is the mechanism by which GLP medications work long-term and systemically,” he continued. “For certain patients, a high-quality compounded GLP-1 can achieve tailored dosing.”

“Many of the patients who stopped their GLP-1 medications could have continued them with appropriate personalized care.”