Stopping weight loss jabs can lead to rapid weight regain in one year, study suggests
Weight Loss Jabs May Result in Significant Weight Regain After One Year, Research Indicates
Study Highlights Rapid Weight Regain Post-Discontinuation
New research indicates that individuals who discontinue weight loss injections may experience substantial weight regain within a year. According to a study led by Cambridge University researchers, 60% of weight loss was typically regained by participants 52 weeks after stopping the treatment.
The study cautioned that if the regained weight primarily consists of fat, patients might end up in a less favorable fat-to-lean mass ratio than before initiating the treatment. This could lead to adverse health effects, even if some weight is maintained.
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Their Applications
These weight loss injections belong to the GLP-1 receptor agonist category, functioning by replicating the hormone GLP-1 to manage blood sugar and insulin. Initially designed for type 2 diabetes management, drugs like semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) have been approved by the NHS for obesity treatment.
A second study, involving over 600,000 US veterans with type 2 diabetes, suggests that these injections can help prevent and address addictions to substances such as alcohol, cigarettes, cannabis, cocaine, nicotine, and opioids.
Research Findings on Weight Regain
The Cambridge research, encompassing six trials with over 3,200 participants, was published in eClinicalMedicine. It highlights that ‘notable weight regain occurs after stopping weight loss medications.’
However, the research indicated that weight regain tends to stabilize, with only 75% of the initial loss regained by 60 weeks, implying that 25% may be retained long-term.
“Our projections show that while most weight is regained, some loss remains. However, we’re uncertain whether the proportion of lean mass is also restored. If fat predominates the regained weight, the fat-to-lean mass ratio might negatively impact health,” noted Brajan Budini, a medical student at the University of Cambridge’s School of Clinical Medicine and Trinity College.
The researchers emphasized the need for additional trials to investigate the impact of these injections on weight composition during and after therapy.
Substance Misuse Reduction in Veterans
A separate US study monitored veterans for up to three years and found that those with no prior substance abuse had an overall 14% reduced risk of developing substance use disorders (SUDs) after starting the weight loss injections.
The findings, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), also showed lower risks for specific substances: 18% for alcohol, 14% for cannabis, 20% for cocaine, 20% for nicotine, and 25% for opioids, compared to individuals on other diabetes drugs.
Among veterans with existing substance use disorders, beginning the treatment was linked to a 31% decrease in SUD-related emergency department visits, hospital admissions, and mortality, as well as a reduction in drug overdoses and suicidal behaviors.
Although the study focused primarily on older men, similar results were observed in women.
Further reading: GPs may receive incentives for administering weight loss injections. Available NHS weight loss drugs? Potential ban on these jabs ahead of the next Olympics.
