Weight-loss injections trigger rapid rebound after stopping treatment, study warns
New research highlights a significant risk for people using weight-loss injections: rapid weight regain once treatment stops. Scientists reviewed data from thousands of patients and found that while these drugs can lead to substantial weight loss, the effects often fade quickly after discontinuation. The study analysed 37 trials involving over 9,000 participants. Researchers compared the results of popular weight-loss injections with traditional diets and other weight-loss pills. Their findings showed that patients on these injections could lose around one-fifth of their body weight. However, much of that weight returned within roughly a year and a half of stopping the treatment. Weight regain after quitting injections happened about four times faster than with dieting or exercise alone. The research focused on clinical trial data rather than real-world use, meaning long-term effects remain unclear. Only eight of the studies looked at newer GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro, with follow-ups lasting no longer than a year after patients stopped taking them. The latest drugs under investigation include Orforglipron (an oral GLP-1 agonist), Retatrutid (a triple agonist), NA-931 (a quadruple agonist), and CagriSema (a combination treatment). These are currently in Phase 2 and 3 trials for obesity treatment between 2023 and 2025. The study suggests that while weight-loss injections can be effective, their benefits may not last once treatment ends. Further research is needed to fully understand how these drugs perform over longer periods. Patients considering these treatments are advised to weigh the short-term gains against the risk of rapid weight regain.
