Experts Warn of Weight Regain After Stopping Weight Loss Drugs

According to a recent report, health authorities in the UK have raised concerns about people regaining weight after using the weight loss drugs Wegovy and Mounjaro. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) stated that patients coming off these medications should be provided with "structured advice and follow-up support" to help prevent them from piling on the pounds again.

Research has shown that many individuals tend to regain weight after stopping treatment if they are not properly supported. Nice emphasized that the transition period after treatment is crucial, and people need structured support to maintain the positive changes they've made.

The guidance is specifically aimed at people who are offered the treatments through the NHS. An estimated 1.5 million people are currently taking weight loss injections in the UK, but the vast majority are paying for them privately and will not be eligible for NHS support after their treatment is complete. However, around 240,000 people with the "greatest need" are expected to receive Mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide, through the NHS over the next three years.

Nice's new "quality standard" states that NHS patients should be monitored for at least a year after they finish their treatment, and extra support should be provided if needed. The standard emphasizes the importance of building long-term behavioral habits, using self-monitoring tools, and drawing on wider support from online communities, family-led interventions, and local activities.