Experts are growing increasingly concerned that there may not be a safe way for people to 'step down' from GLP-1 weight-loss medications, despite their rising popularity in helping combat obesity. Researchers have found that those who stop taking these medications often experience significant weight regain and a reversal of cardiovascular and metabolic health improvements.
A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine followed 670 participants with obesity or overweight who were treated with tirzepatide for 36 weeks, then randomly assigned either to continue the medication for another 52 weeks or receive a placebo. The results showed that among those who stopped taking tirzepatide, 82% regained at least 25% of their weight lost on the drug by week 88.
The study highlights the challenges of finding evidence-based ways for people to safely reduce or stop taking these medications. While some participants were able to maintain significant weight loss and metabolic improvements after stopping the medication, others experienced a complete reversal of their health benefits.
"This new class of drugs should be rebranded from 'weight loss' drugs to 'weight management' drugs," write medical experts at the University of Pittsburgh, highlighting the importance of recognizing these medications as long-term therapies for chronic diseases.
A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine followed 670 participants with obesity or overweight who were treated with tirzepatide for 36 weeks, then randomly assigned either to continue the medication for another 52 weeks or receive a placebo. The results showed that among those who stopped taking tirzepatide, 82% regained at least 25% of their weight lost on the drug by week 88.
The study highlights the challenges of finding evidence-based ways for people to safely reduce or stop taking these medications. While some participants were able to maintain significant weight loss and metabolic improvements after stopping the medication, others experienced a complete reversal of their health benefits.
"This new class of drugs should be rebranded from 'weight loss' drugs to 'weight management' drugs," write medical experts at the University of Pittsburgh, highlighting the importance of recognizing these medications as long-term therapies for chronic diseases.
it seems like these meds are more than just a quick fix, but a lifeline for some people. and if we don't have safe ways for them to step down, that's pretty scary...
. They're super popular right now, but what's the plan if people want to stop taking them? I mean, 82% of those who stopped regaining at least 25% of their lost weight is crazy! It's like they just flip back to where they started 
. We need more research on how to safely reduce or stop these meds so we can know what's really going on here. Those experts at the University of Pittsburgh are spot on, rebranding them as 'weight management' drugs makes sense 
. We should be thinking about long-term health benefits, not just quick fixes 
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. I mean, sure, they can help people lose weight and feel better in the short term, but what happens when you try to stop? It sounds like a nightmare scenario - 82% of people regaining all their lost weight by week 88? That's not a solution, that's just a recipe for disaster 
. And don't even get me started on the cardiovascular and metabolic health issues... it's like we're playing with fire 
. We need to find safer, more sustainable ways to manage our weight and chronic diseases, not just rely on these meds as a quick fix 
. The experts are right, we should be rebranding them as 'weight management' drugs - that way, people know they're in for the long haul, not some get-rich-quick scheme 
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. These meds are basically designed to keep you on a leash, and now we're finding out that stopping them can be super hard, like, almost impossible? 82% of people who stopped taking tirzepatide just went right back up the weight loss charts? That's crazy! And don't even get me started on the whole "weight management" thing... like, what does that even mean? It sounds like a fancy way of saying "we need to find ways to keep you dependent on these meds forever". I'm not buying it 
. The experts might want to rethink their strategy, but I think we're just gonna end up with a whole new class of people who are stuck on these medications for the rest of their lives... and that's just depressing 
anyway i was thinking the other day we should all get more comfy with being a lil bigger lol no one looks good when they're too thin. but serious tho how hard is it to find meds that dont work once u stop taking em?? its like our bodies r just too good at findin ways to cheat on us 
. Don't get me wrong, they can be super helpful in the short term, but 82% of people experience massive weight regain within a year? That's just not cool 
. And it's not just the weight loss - cardiovascular and metabolic health improvements that come with these meds? Forget about 'em once you stop taking them 
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. The whole "step down" thing is just too vague for me. What does that even mean? How do we know it's safe? 
... it's crazy how our bodies can just go back to being overweight or whatever after stopping these meds. i feel like we need some new solutions for this problem, you know? 
. And it's not just physical health, either - my mom has been on these meds for a while now, and she said her blood pressure and cholesterol levels went way down after she started taking them. Now that she's off of them, I'm worried she'll have to go back on medication 
. and yeah, rebranding these meds as weight management drugs is a good idea... that way we can stop pretending like losing weight is the ultimate goal when it's really just about living a healthy life 
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? It's like they say "break up is hard to do" 
! We need some more research on how to safely reduce or stop these meds 
. Like, I get it, we're all trying to help people with obesity and all that jazz, but come on, what's the plan here? These meds are helping people lose weight and feel better, but then what happens when they wanna stop? It's like, we gotta have a safe way for them to do that, you know?
. We need a more holistic approach here. Like, education, support, counseling... that kinda thing 
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