Researchers tracking participants in a clinical trial have found that once people stop taking Mounjaro, a popular medication for weight loss, they not only regain weight but also see their other health benefits reverse.
The study's lead authors analyzed data from 308 individuals who had lost at least 10% of their body weight on the medication, alongside diet and exercise support. These participants were then randomly assigned to continue taking Mounjaro or switch to a placebo for another 52 weeks.
One year after stopping the medication, nearly 82% of these participants regained more than half of the initial weight they had lost. Notably, this weight regain was associated with a reversal in other health benefits as well, including reduced blood pressure and lower levels of "bad" cholesterol.
Experts say that excess weight is often a major driver of high blood pressure and impaired glucose control, so when people regain weight, these health risks typically increase. The findings suggest that sustaining weight loss through long-term lifestyle changes and obesity management medications is crucial to maintaining health benefits.
The study's lead authors note that while weight-regain was most pronounced in those who had lost the greatest amount of weight on Mounjaro, even smaller amounts of regain were still associated with some reversal of health improvements. This emphasizes the importance of long-term maintenance strategies for weight loss and overall health.
However, researchers caution that stopping weight-loss medications does not always lead to healthier eating habits or exercise routines. When people discontinue taking these medications, they often revert to their previous behaviors, which can result in weight regain and a reversal of other health benefits.
The findings have implications for those who are considering using Mounjaro or other weight loss medications, particularly in the context of pregnancy. While researchers found that women who stop using these medications before becoming pregnant tend to gain more weight during pregnancy and face higher risks of complications, further trials are needed to confirm these findings.
The study's lead authors analyzed data from 308 individuals who had lost at least 10% of their body weight on the medication, alongside diet and exercise support. These participants were then randomly assigned to continue taking Mounjaro or switch to a placebo for another 52 weeks.
One year after stopping the medication, nearly 82% of these participants regained more than half of the initial weight they had lost. Notably, this weight regain was associated with a reversal in other health benefits as well, including reduced blood pressure and lower levels of "bad" cholesterol.
Experts say that excess weight is often a major driver of high blood pressure and impaired glucose control, so when people regain weight, these health risks typically increase. The findings suggest that sustaining weight loss through long-term lifestyle changes and obesity management medications is crucial to maintaining health benefits.
The study's lead authors note that while weight-regain was most pronounced in those who had lost the greatest amount of weight on Mounjaro, even smaller amounts of regain were still associated with some reversal of health improvements. This emphasizes the importance of long-term maintenance strategies for weight loss and overall health.
However, researchers caution that stopping weight-loss medications does not always lead to healthier eating habits or exercise routines. When people discontinue taking these medications, they often revert to their previous behaviors, which can result in weight regain and a reversal of other health benefits.
The findings have implications for those who are considering using Mounjaro or other weight loss medications, particularly in the context of pregnancy. While researchers found that women who stop using these medications before becoming pregnant tend to gain more weight during pregnancy and face higher risks of complications, further trials are needed to confirm these findings.