Overview
- An Oxford-led analysis of 37 trials found average regain of about 0.4 kilograms per month after discontinuation, rising to roughly 0.8 kilograms for semaglutide and tirzepatide, with baseline weight often returning in about 18 months.
- Health improvements seen during therapy, including blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol, typically reverted to baseline within roughly 1.4 years after stopping medication.
- Real-world data show high drop-off rates, with more than half stopping Wegovy within a year in Denmark and U.S. figures indicating 65% stopped by one year and 84% by two years.
- Side effects such as nausea and the high cost were cited as common reasons for discontinuation, according to the review’s authors.
- About 90% of users take weight-loss drugs without medical supervision or behavioral support, and some specialists now advise courses of three to five years despite a lack of long-term outcome data.