How to maintain weight loss after using a GLP-1
How to maintain weight loss after using a GLP-1
are now widely used for weight loss. If you鈥檙e one of the of people in the U.S. taking one, you may be wondering what happens next. Do you need to keep taking it? What happens if you stop?
Here鈥檚 what experts say about maintaining weight after GLP-1 treatment, reported by , a platform for medication savings.
Key takeaways:
- Most people need to keep taking GLP-1 medications to prevent regaining the weight they lost.
- The maintenance dose for GLP-1 medications varies by person and medication. Some people lower their dose. Other people adjust how often they take it.
- Long-term success also depends on habits like regular exercise, a nutritious and balanced diet, and getting enough good-quality sleep.
Should you keep taking GLP-1s after reaching your weight goal?
Probably. Most people regain weight after stopping GLP-1 medications. These include medications like semaglutide (), liraglutide (), as well as tirzepatide (), which targets both GIP and GLP-1 receptors.
Most recommend GLP-1 therapy continuation for a couple of reasons.
Maintaining your goal weight
Weight regain after stopping GLP-1 treatment is common.
In clinical trials, researchers people for months after the initial study period of 20 weeks. Those who continued taking semaglutide kept losing weight. But those who stopped regained almost 7% of their body weight.
Other studies suggest people regain of the weight lost within a year after stopping GLP-1 medications.
Health benefits beyond weight loss
GLP-1 medications don鈥檛 just support weight loss. For many people, they also treat ongoing health conditions.
In some cases, stopping the medication may mean not being able to manage these conditions.
Here鈥檚 where GLP-1 medications help beyond 鈥渏ust鈥 treating excess weight:
- Type 2 diabetes: Medications like and lower blood glucose levels and are often used as long-term treatment for Type 2 diabetes.
- Heart health: Semaglutide reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death in people with Type 2 diabetes or excess weight and heart disease. These can begin early in treatment, before significant weight loss.
- Kidney health: Semaglutide can help in people with Type 2 diabetes.
- Sleep apnea: Tirzepatide (Zepbound) is FDA-approved for . It鈥檚 not yet clear what happens if treatment is stopped.
- Metabolic liver disease: Semaglutide (Wegovy) is of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Longer-term outcomes are still being studied.
For these reasons, expert groups like the and the recommend continuing the medication.
What is a typical GLP-1 maintenance dose?
There鈥檚 no single maintenance dose. It depends on the and how your body responds.
Most experts recommend using the 鈥溾 or the lowest amount that helps maintain your weight and health goals.
This may mean:
- Lowering the dose, in the same increments as when you started taking it.
- Spacing out your dose, for example, every other week instead of weekly.
But no studies have compared these methods, so it鈥檚 difficult to say if one is better than the other. Spacing out your dose is also not part of standard prescribing guidelines 鈥 although your prescriber might recommend it.
It鈥檚 best to work with your healthcare team to figure out the best strategy for you. This might mean more frequent check-ins with them until you find the best maintenance schedule for you.
Who shouldn鈥檛 keep taking GLP-1s?
The decision to continue or stop treatment is personal. What makes sense for you may not make sense for others, and vice versa. Just because experts recommend continuation in general, that doesn鈥檛 mean you鈥檙e required to do so.
There are many reasons why people stop taking GLP-1s. These include:
- Out-of-pocket
- Insurance changes
- Changes in appetite or nutrition
- Changes in life circumstances or personal preference
If you鈥檙e thinking about stopping, talk with your healthcare team first. They can help you taper safely and/or find an alternative treatment if needed. And if cost is an issue, know that there are .
Is it safe to keep taking GLP-1 medications?
It鈥檚 normal to worry about long-term safety with any medication. GLP-1 medications are generally considered safe for long-term use. But they can have .
Rare but serious side effects include:
- like gallstones or gallbladder inflammation
- Worsening that affect vision
Serious problems are rare, but they can and do happen. Your care team can help you weigh the potential benefits of GLP-1 medications against the risks for your unique situation.
What are the best ways to maintain your weight after GLP-1s?
If you鈥檝e been prescribed and have been on a GLP-1 medication, continuing on the medication is the most effective way to maintain weight loss. But lifestyle habits still matter 鈥 especially if you stop treatment.
Weight maintenance is hard work. To help , focus on:
- Regular physical activity
- Good nutrition
- Sleep quality and quantity
- Stress management
- Ongoing support from your friends or family
Experts also recommend behavioral strategies, like:
- Structured goal setting
- Counseling
- Regular check-ins with a coach
It sounds like a lot, and it is. But research finds that having a comprehensive approach like this is the best way to keep a healthy and comfortable weight.
Weight maintenance requires ongoing effort. It can at times. Support from professionals, peers, or your community can make it more sustainable. And be gentle with yourself: Your health is much more than just your weight.
The bottom line
GLP-1 medications can lead to significant weight loss. But many people regain weight after stopping them.
Because of this, long-term treatment is often recommended. If you鈥檙e considering stopping or changing your dose, speak with your healthcare team first. They can help you make a plan that鈥檚 safe and sustainable based on your health and individual goals.
was produced by and reviewed and distributed by 麻豆原创.
