Obesity medication discontinuation linked to gradual weight regain

A systematic review of 37 studies involving over 9,300 adults indicates that discontinuing obesity medications can lead to gradual weight regain. According to the analysis published in the BMJ, participants who stopped using treatments such as liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide experienced an average weight increase of 0.4 kg per month.

On average, participants lost 8.3 kg during treatment, but the study suggests they could return to their initial weight in approximately one year and seven months following cessation. Beyond weight, the metabolic benefits gained during treatment—including improvements in blood glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure—also began to diminish after stopping the medication.

Medical experts emphasize that obesity is a chronic disease requiring long-term management. Endocrinologist Paulo Rosenbaum notes that weight regain is a biological response as the body attempts to recover lost weight, rather than a lack of patient willpower. The findings reinforce the necessity of combining pharmacological treatments with permanent lifestyle changes.