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Obesity Drugs: Weight Loss Rebound Revealed
5 Mar
Summary
- Nearly two-thirds of weight lost may return within a year.
- Patients might retain a quarter of lost weight long-term.
- Regained fat mass could worsen health compared to baseline.
Individuals who stop taking obesity medications such as Mounjaro and Wegovy may regain approximately two-thirds of their lost weight within a year. This finding comes from a study analyzing six trials involving over 3,200 participants.
Researchers noted that while patients might maintain about a quarter of their weight loss long-term, the composition of regained weight is a concern. If this weight is primarily fat, individuals could face adverse health consequences, potentially being worse off than before treatment.
The study, published in eClinicalMedicine, suggests current prescribing guidelines for GLP-1 receptor agonists are inadequate regarding the risk of weight regain. Experts recommend that doctors and patients discuss strategies to mitigate this risk, emphasizing lifestyle changes like diet and exercise alongside medication.
Further research is called for to understand the impact of these drugs on weight composition during and after treatment. Current guidelines, such as the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommendation of a two-year limit for semaglutide, show inconsistencies.
