More than half a million Brits are thought to be now relying on weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro, amid a steady global increase in people experimenting with the drugs.
In many cases, weight loss drugs help people lose weight by mimicking the hormones associated with feeling hunger and reducing their appetites.
A lot of people attest to impactful and life-changing results thanks to the regular use of the diet suppressants -- which reportedly goe beyond just weight loss and can even help with things like addition.
There are also, however, many health risks and those who are considering weight loss drugs are always urged to consult their doctors first. Reports of side effects like ‘Ozempic teeth’ as well as more severe health issues, such as hypoglycemia.
Amid an increasing global demand for injectable glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) injections, studies into the impact of Ozempic and Mounjaro are still ongoing, with researchers increasingly trying to understand the long-term effects of use.
According to the NHS, patients should only take semaglutide (the scientific name for Ozempic) for a maximum of two years, but what happens after that time?
Here’s everything you need to know about what happens when you stop taking weight loss drugs like Mounjaro and Ozempic.
How long can you take weight loss drugs?
The duration for which people use weight loss drugs will vary from case to case, and is best agreed upon with guidance from your GP.
In most cases, it’s seen as a long-term process and designed to be taken for a prolonged duration. Most patients don’t tend to start seeing results until after using the injectables for at least four weeks, or longer.
However, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), semaglutide should not be taken for more than two years.
According to NBC, three out of four patients who used Wegovy or Ozempic in the U.S. had stopped using them within two years but the survey didn’t ask respondents why.
There are many reasons why a person would choose to stop taking such weight therapies, with some people reporting side effects or it being too expensive.
Under new rules coming into fruition on June 1, to obtain weight loss drugs, patients must now have face to face consultations with a nurse or a medical expert.
What happens when you stop taking weight loss drugs?
Recent studies have found that a lot of people who stop taking weight loss drugs return to their original weight within a year.
According to The Guardian, researchers at the University of Oxford examined the data from various studies and found that most people lost around 8kg but gained it back within 10 months.
Those taking newer weight loss drugs lost even more weight, but were expected to regain weight within less than two years.
But why?
It takes a number of days for the effects of semaglutide and tirzepatide to leave a person’s system after they stop taking the weight loss drugs. Cravings and hunger might then start to return, and people don’t feel as full anymore.
A lot of people will regain some weight during this time, and people’s cholesterol and blood pressure levels can also return to previous levels.
Can you stop weight gain after quitting weight loss drugs
According to Dr Ola Otulana, a GP and Addiction Specialist Physician from Cassiobury Court, people should focus on maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle in order to reduce the chance of weight gain after stopping such drugs.
“Maintaining weight after stopping these medications requires a strong focus on lifestyle interventions,” he told The Standard. “Particularly a healthy, balanced diet and consistent physical activity.
“Ongoing support from a dietitian or healthcare provider can also be effective,” he said, adding: “Behavioural strategies such as meal planning or portion control and monitoring weight regularly can help sustain weight loss.”
The GP also suggested that some people could ‘gradually transition’ off the medication, but only under the supervision of a doctor.
