Patients Discontinuing Slimming Jabs Gain Back Weight Four Times Faster Compared to People Using Diet and Exercise

Illustration of medical injection and weighing machine
Weight management often requires long-term strategies.

New research indicates that people who discontinue popular slimming jabs like semaglutide or tirzepatide tend to recover lost weight much more quickly than those who halt conventional lifestyle plans.

Published data in a major health publication shows that while obese individuals can lose substantial amounts of their body weight while using the jabs, the mass is regained at an estimated rate of 0.8 kg per month after stopping.

"People buying such medications should be informed of the risk of quick rebound weight gain when the treatment ends," cautioned lead investigator Dr. Susan Jebb.

That rate of recovery suggests a return to original weight in about a year and a half.

Weighing Approaches

The analysis, which examined dozens of studies involving over 9,000 of participants, compared the results of the injectable medications with other pills.

Scientists note that people who lose weight through dieting usually see a slower weight regain—approximately 0.1 kg a month—after stopping.

The Reason for the Rapid Rebound

Nutrition scientists suggest the mode of action of the jabs explains the heightened rebound.

These medications mimic a body's own chemical called glucagon-like peptide-1, which helps regulate hunger.

"Sustained high doses of the hormone levels several times higher than normal may cause the system to generate a reduced amount of its endogenous hormone, and could diminish responsiveness to its effects," explained Dr. Adam Collins, a nutrition researcher.

"Stopping of this medication leads to appetite is unsuppressed, making binge eating much more probable."

An Ongoing Disease?

The NHS recommend the jabs for individuals with weight-linked health risks, alongside prescribed diet and exercise modifications.

Many experts argue that, due to the significant potential of relapse, the therapy might need to be life-long.

This opinion is echoed by pharmaceutical companies, who note that the findings "emphasize the persistent character of excess weight," akin to managing conditions like high blood pressure.

User Accounts

Individuals who have discontinued the medication report a sudden return of hunger.

"It was like a trigger flipping and you become extremely hungry," recalled an individual.

This difficulty is worsened if users have not adopted permanent lifestyle or habit modifications during treatment.

Significant Use

Figures show that a significant number of people in the UK have used these injections in the last 12 months, with demand remaining high.

  • Use is greater among females compared to men.
  • The 40s and 50s demographic shows the highest level of interest.
  • Many access the medications through private prescriptions rather than the NHS.

Ultimately, researchers caution that while the jabs are powerful tools for weight loss, they are not a permanent fix and lasting health benefits relies on ongoing behavioural changes.

Meghan Solomon
Meghan Solomon

A seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience covering UK politics and cultural affairs, known for her insightful reporting.