Mounjaro Users Face Reversal of Health Benefits When Stopping Treatment, Study Finds
A recent study has shed light on a concerning trend among individuals who stop using Mounjaro, a weight-loss medication that combines two active ingredients to help people lose an average of 20% of their body weight. The research reveals that not only do users tend to regain weight, but they also experience a reversal in other health benefits, including reduced blood pressure and lower levels of "bad" cholesterol.
The study, known as Surmount-4, analyzed data from participants who had lost at least 10% of their body weight after receiving Mounjaro for 36 weeks. Half of the participants continued using the medication for an additional 52 weeks, while the other half switched to a placebo. The results showed that one year after stopping treatment, 82% of those who had previously achieved significant weight loss had regained at least 25% of their initial weight reduction.
The findings also indicate that greater weight regain is associated with greater reversals in measures such as waist circumference, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels. In fact, by the end of the study, participants who had regained up to 50% of their initial weight showed improvements in these areas compared to baseline values.
Experts warn that sustaining weight loss through lifestyle intervention and obesity management medications is crucial to maintaining cardiometabolic benefits and improved health-related quality of life. However, they also caution that relying solely on medication may not lead to lasting changes in eating habits or exercise behaviors, which can result in poorer diets and a higher risk of weight regain.
The study's results have implications for the long-term use of Mounjaro and other weight-loss medications. While these treatments can be effective for short-term weight loss, they may not provide sustained benefits without ongoing lifestyle support. Researchers are now exploring new strategies to support long-term weight management, including more affordable interventions that can help individuals maintain healthy habits over time.
A recent study has shed light on a concerning trend among individuals who stop using Mounjaro, a weight-loss medication that combines two active ingredients to help people lose an average of 20% of their body weight. The research reveals that not only do users tend to regain weight, but they also experience a reversal in other health benefits, including reduced blood pressure and lower levels of "bad" cholesterol.
The study, known as Surmount-4, analyzed data from participants who had lost at least 10% of their body weight after receiving Mounjaro for 36 weeks. Half of the participants continued using the medication for an additional 52 weeks, while the other half switched to a placebo. The results showed that one year after stopping treatment, 82% of those who had previously achieved significant weight loss had regained at least 25% of their initial weight reduction.
The findings also indicate that greater weight regain is associated with greater reversals in measures such as waist circumference, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels. In fact, by the end of the study, participants who had regained up to 50% of their initial weight showed improvements in these areas compared to baseline values.
Experts warn that sustaining weight loss through lifestyle intervention and obesity management medications is crucial to maintaining cardiometabolic benefits and improved health-related quality of life. However, they also caution that relying solely on medication may not lead to lasting changes in eating habits or exercise behaviors, which can result in poorer diets and a higher risk of weight regain.
The study's results have implications for the long-term use of Mounjaro and other weight-loss medications. While these treatments can be effective for short-term weight loss, they may not provide sustained benefits without ongoing lifestyle support. Researchers are now exploring new strategies to support long-term weight management, including more affordable interventions that can help individuals maintain healthy habits over time.