So what happens when people stop taking the new blockbuster weight-loss drugs? The kilos don’t just creep back — they sprint.
New research shows that people who quit popular injectable drugs like Ozempic or Wegovy regain weight about four times faster.
This is compared to those who lose weight through diet and exercise alone.
Sounds alarming, right? But researchers say there’s an important catch.
“These drugs work incredibly well,” said Susan Jebb of Oxford University.
“People lose a lot of weight — and greater weight loss usually means faster regain.”
GLP-1 drugs, which suppress appetite, have transformed obesity treatment, helping users shed 15–20% of their body weight.
Weight Loss Setbacks
The problem? Around half of users stop within a year, often due to nausea or eye-watering costs that can exceed $1,000 a month in the US.
By reviewing 37 studies, researchers found that after stopping the drugs, people regained about 10kg within a year.
They were likely back at their starting weight within 18 months.
Heart health benefits, like improved cholesterol and blood pressure, also faded.
By contrast, people who lost weight through diet and exercise regained it far more slowly — over roughly four years.
The takeaway? “These medications are a starting point, not a cure,” said researcher Garron Dodd.
Or put another way: miracle tool, yes — magic fix, no.
