If you’ve been looking for new ways to improve your weight loss efforts, you’ve probably heard of incretin mimetic drugs like Mounjaro, Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy, and Zepbound. Many people have reported that they have lost a lot of weight by taking this medicine.
But what happens when you Stop to take incretin mimetics for weight loss? Do you regain weight after quitting, or do you have to take them forever to maintain your results?
Short answer: If you stop taking incretin mimetics, you will regain most of the weight you lost.
This can be debilitating when you consider the negative effects of long-term use. For starters, there’s a price – both That’s right and Ozempic have a list price of about $1,000 per month. Out-of-pocket costs vary depending on your insurance plan, but they can add up quickly, especially if you have to factor them into your monthly budget. forever.
These drugs are also new to the scene, which means their long-term effects are not fully understood. It is important to weigh all the possible risks and rewards before deciding whether incretin mimetics are right for you. And, of course, you should always talk to your doctor before starting (or stopping!) any medication.
If you are considering incretin mimetics or their relatives for weight loss, here is what you need to know.
How Do Mounjaro and Ozempic Work?
Mounjaro, Zepbound, Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy work in parallel metabolic hormones they are called incretins. Therefore, these drugs are called incretin mimetics.
This hormonal transfer allows the body to maintain a normal blood sugar level. It also helps reduce appetite and eat foods that make you feel fuller faster and longer after eating. As a result, many people see weight loss as a secondary effect.
Although these drugs all work in the same way, there are significant differences in how they work and how to use them.
Semaglutide works
These three drugs are manufactured by Novo Nordisk and contain the same substance, semaglutide. Semaglutide mimics glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormonewhich helps stimulate insulin production, slow digestion, and reduce appetite.
Ozempic (injection) and Fishing (pill form) are both FDA-approved as first-line treatments for type 2 diabetes. However, doctors sometimes prescribe this medicine off-label – for example, not as he said – for weight loss.
Wegovy, on the other hand, is an FDA-approved, synthetic version of semaglutide. especially in weight management. It is designed for adults who are overweight or adults who have a common weight-related problem.
Tirzepatide works
The active ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound is tirzepatide. Like semaglutide, tirzepatide mimics the hormone GLP-1 and increases it insulin sensitivity. But tirzepatide’s mechanism of action also mimics the gastric inhibitory peptide hormone (GIP), which helps stimulate insulin secretion and regulate appetite and satiety.
“There have been studies that show that tirzepatide causes more weight gain than semaglutide,” he says. Mir Ali, MDbariatric surgeon and medical director of the MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA. “This is caused by affecting two receptors rather than one.”
Mounjaro and Zepbound, which are given by injection once a week, are manufactured by Eli Lilly. Mounjaro is approved by the FDA as sugar medicinewhere Zepbound is approved for weight management in adults who are obese, or adults who have at least one weight-related problem. (Sounds clear?)
Like Ozempic and Rybelsus, Mounjaro can be prescribed for weight loss.
What Happens When You Stop Taking GLP-1 Drugs for Weight Loss?
Inretin mimetics can help with weight management when you take them. But when you stop taking the drug, your metabolic function will start go back to his pre-medication level, and the number on the scale can be tracked.
Here are some common side effects of stopping Mounjaro, Ozempic, etc.:
1. Your cravings will come back
“(Incretin mimetics’) main effect on weight loss is to reduce appetite and reduce gastric emptying,” Ali said. “When the medicine wears off, the appetite returns to what it was before and the stomach starts to produce water as it was before.” This can make a person want to eat more.”
2. You will definitely regain the weight you lost
When your appetite starts up again, you need to keep an eye on your calorie intake. “If the patient is not careful, they can start losing weight again,” said Ali.
One clinical study found that, one year after stopping incretin mimetics, participants regained almost two-thirds of its weight they had lost first. Their cardiometabolic changes returned to baseline, too.
3. Your blood sugar may rise
When you stop taking incretin mimetics, Ali says, insulin secretion returns to normal and you may see a spike in your blood sugar. In a recent research by colleaguesresearchers divided people into four groups. Three groups took tirzepatide in different doses, while the fourth group was given type 2 diabetes mellitus dulaglutide.
After one year, all three tirzepatide groups had greater improvements in blood glucose levels than the dulaglutide group. However, two months after stopping treatment, all four groups had raised their blood sugar levels again – and the tirzepatide groups had already started to gain weight.
The study authors concluded that their findings “highlight the importance of continued prescribing or careful follow-up during withdrawal.”
Can You Just Stop Taking Mounjaro and Ozempic?
Since long-term drugs such as semaglutide and tirzepatide affect the body, stopping the cold is not recommended without the guidance of a doctor. That said, there isn’t enough evidence that stopping their use can cause serious withdrawal symptoms.
There and more research, however, shows that many people experience “quick recovery” on blood glucose levels and weight gain after discontinuation of incretin mimetics. These results “are not considered to be withdrawal symptoms, but a return to the patient’s body,” says Ali.
Preventing weight loss after stopping incretin mimetics
Once you hit your weight goals, it may be possible to stop taking semaglutide and tirzepatide without regaining the weight. But you must be willing to use the following lifestyle strategies:
“If a patient can make significant, long-term and lifestyle changes, then they are more likely to be weight-free when they stop taking medication,” Ali said.
As always, it is important to remember that you should always consult your doctor before stopping and restarting Mounjaro, Ozempic, or any other medication.
Should You Consider Using Diet Pills?
Inretin mimetics may be on the rise, but it’s important to note that they are designed to be a long-term treatment for chronic diseases – not a quick fix. lose a few stubborn pounds.
“These drugs are designed for patients who are known to be obese with a body mass index greater than 30, or greater than 27 with other complications,” said Ali.
Even for those who meet the medical requirements, weight loss medications cannot replace a healthy diet and regular exercise. Eating healthy food still a good way to get vitamins, minerals, fiberand antioxidants you should. And weight loss pills can’t stand up to exercise when it comes to weight loss strength, aerobic capacity, heart healthbone health, etc.
How long does GLP-1 Medicine stay in your system?
According to the Food and Drug Administration, a half-life of tirzepatide and five days. This means that when you stop taking the drug, it may take up to a month for the drug to leave your body.
The half life of semaglutide they are about seven days, so if you stop taking this medicine, it can stay in your system for up to five weeks after you take the last medicine.
However, to continue working, semaglutides and tirzepatides are prescribed for weekly use, and must be used indefinitely. “Obesity is thought of as a serious illnesssuch as diabetes or hypertension, so patients may need to take the drug for a long time,” says Ali.