Overview
- A BMJ systematic review of 37 studies covering roughly 9,300 participants found average weight regain of about 0.4 kg per month after discontinuation.
- In trials of semaglutide and tirzepatide, participants lost around 15 kg on treatment but regained about 10 kg within one year after stopping.
- The analysis projects a return to starting weight at approximately 18 months following cessation of GLP-1 therapy.
- Improvements in cardiometabolic markers, including blood pressure and cholesterol, typically reverted to baseline in about 1.4 years after stopping.
- Researchers and outside experts report high discontinuation within a year, citing gastrointestinal side effects and cost, and they recommend sustained therapy paired with structured behavioral support.