What happens when you stop taking weight-loss drugs?

The use of weight loss drugs such as GLP-1 agonists like semaglutide has raised questions about the long-term effects of these medications. Domenica Rubino, the director of the Washington Centre for Weight Management and Research, has expressed concern about the misconception that weight loss drugs offer a permanent solution for obesity. She emphasizes that obesity is a chronic condition that often requires long-term medication, similar to other chronic illnesses. While GLP-1 agonists have shown effectiveness in helping people lose weight, the high cost and potential side effects have led to concerns about what happens when individuals stop taking these drugs. Studies have indicated that most people experience rapid weight regain after discontinuing the medication. This weight regain is attributed to dysregulation in the brain's appetite-related regions, leading to overconsumption. Additionally, the doses of GLP-1 provided by these drugs are significantly higher than what the body naturally produces, potentially suppressing the body's ability to secrete GLP-1 on its own. This could result in increased hunger when the medication is stopped. Weight regain is often accompanied by an increase in fat and a decrease in muscle mass, which may have negative implications for long-term health. However, individual responses to these medications vary, and there is ongoing research to understand the potential long-term effects of weight regain after discontinuing weight loss drugs.