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But a new research review has raised a crucial question: what happens after you stop taking them? According to a new study published in BMC Medicine, many patients who lose weight while on these medications tend to regain it once they stop, and it can happen as quickly as 8 weeks after discontinuation. The research looked at data from 11 previously conducted clinical trials involving nearly 2,500 participants. Of these, six studies focused on semaglutide, the active ingredient in popular drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. While these drugs helped participants lose weight during treatment, the benefits faded after the medications were stopped.

• At 4 weeks after stopping the drugs, there was no prominent change in weight compared to those not on medication.
• By 8 weeks, participants began regaining weight, an average of 1.5 kg, compared to the control group.
• At 12 weeks, the regain continued, an average of 1.76 kg.
• By 20 weeks, people had regained 2.5 kg on average.

The weight regain was most noticeable in patients who had been on GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, the class of drugs that includes Wegovy and Mounjaro. The researchers, from Peking University People's Hospital, China, say this rebound effect could happen because once the drugs are stopped, the body's appetite and metabolism tend to return to their original state. Many of these medications work by mimicking hormones that regulate hunger and fullness, effects that don't last once the drug is out of the system. Besides this, the study found that even participants who followed lifestyle changes (like improved diet and exercise) during treatment still experienced weight regain after stopping medication. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR LONG-TERM WEIGHT MANAGEMENT Currently, six drugs are approved for obesity treatment in adults: orlistat, naltrexone-bupropion, semaglutide, liraglutide, tirzepatide and phentermine-topiramate. While these medicines are often effective for short-term weight loss, they are not a permanent solution by themselves. The findings support the idea that anti-obesity medications should be seen as part of a broader, long-term strategy, which includes lifestyle changes, behavioural therapy, and even bariatric surgery when necessary. Doctors and patients alike should focus on building sustainable habits such as nutrition, movement, and stress management, alongside any medical treatment. As researchers put it, more long-term studies are needed to fully understand how to maintain weight loss after stopping these drugs.