Recent research indicates that weight loss pens or popular injectable drugs like Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic may help users lose weight at first, but after stopping, the weight rebounds faster than expected.
A new study published in the British Medical Journal states that individuals using weight loss pens or injectable drugs to lose weight tend to regain weight quickly after stopping the injections, nearly reaching their original weight within less than two years.
Researchers from Oxford University reviewed 37 studies involving over 9,000 participants, covering all authorized weight loss injections—not only GLP-1 drugs. They analyzed users who took the drugs for an average of 10 months, with follow-up periods averaging 8 months after cessation.
Specifically analyzing GLP-1 injection drugs, six studies involving 1,700 participants showed that users lost more weight than with other methods but regained weight more quickly and noticeably.
The group using general weight loss drugs lost an average of 8.3 kilograms initially; within the first year, 4.8 kilograms returned, and their weight returned to baseline within 20 months.
Meanwhile, those using GLP-1 injections lost an average of 14.7 kilograms, but two-thirds of that weight was regained within one year, with weight returning to baseline within 18 months.
Dr. Sam West, a co-researcher, explained that while GLP-1 users do lose significant weight, they regain it faster after stopping. Professor Susan Jebb from Oxford University noted that regaining weight after dieting is common, but the speed of regain in injection users is surprising. She suspects this is because individuals controlling their diet must learn to manage hunger themselves, whereas injections suppress appetite. Therefore, when the drug stops, both body and mind are unprepared to handle hunger.
These weight loss drugs belong to the GLP-1 medicine class, originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. They mimic hormones released after eating, helping users feel full faster, longer, and reducing appetite.
Mounjaro also targets another hormone, further controlling appetite and blood sugar levels, leading to more pronounced weight loss. This has led to its popularity for cosmetic weight loss, despite lacking formal medical indications for such use.
The UK's NHS states that losing just 5–10% of body weight reduces risks of heart disease, hypertension, and certain cancers. However, Dr. West warns that when weight returns, these cardiovascular benefits disappear.
Researchers admit there is no clear answer on the optimal duration or best method to stop these drugs, as they are still new and lack long-term data. This study highlights the need for better post-treatment care planning or considering long-term use for some patients.
Source:The Guardian
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