How to maintain weight loss after using a GLP-1

How to maintain weight loss after using a GLP-1

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are now widely used for weight loss. If you’re one of the millions 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’s what experts say about maintaining weight after GLP-1 treatment, reported by GoodRx, 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 (Wegovy), liraglutide (Saxenda), as well as tirzepatide (Zepbound), which targets both GIP and GLP-1 receptors.

Most experts 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 continued to monitor 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 up to two-thirds of the weight lost within a year after stopping GLP-1 medications.

Health benefits beyond weight loss

GLP-1 medications don’t 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’s where GLP-1 medications help beyond “just” treating excess weight:

• Type 2 diabetes: Medications like Ozempic and Rybelsus 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 heart benefits can begin early in treatment, before significant weight loss.
• Kidney health: Semaglutide can help slow the progression of kidney disease in people with Type 2 diabetes.
• Sleep apnea: Tirzepatide (Zepbound) is FDA-approved for obstructive sleep apnea related to excess weight. It’s not yet clear what happens if treatment is stopped.
• Metabolic liver disease: Semaglutide (Wegovy) is FDA-approved for certain cases of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Longer-term outcomes are still being studied.

For these reasons, expert groups like the American Diabetes Association and the American College of Cardiology recommend continuing the medication.

What is a typical GLP-1 maintenance dose?

There’s no single maintenance dose. It depends on the medication and how your body responds.

Most experts recommend using the “lowest effective dose” 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’s difficult to say if one is better than the other. Spacing out your dose is also not part of standard prescribing guidelines — although your prescriber might recommend it.

It’s 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’t 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’t mean you’re required to do so.

There are many reasons why people stop taking GLP-1s. These include:

• Out-of-pocket costs
• Insurance changes
• Side effects
• Changes in appetite or nutrition
• Changes in life circumstances or personal preference

If you’re 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 ways to save.

Is it safe to keep taking GLP-1 medications?

It’s 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 risks.

Rare but serious side effects include:

• Gallbladder problems like gallstones or gallbladder inflammation
• Bowel obstruction
• Worsening eye conditions 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’ve 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 — especially if you stop treatment.

Weight maintenance is hard work. To help prevent weight regain, 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 feel impossible 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’re considering stopping or changing your dose, speak with your healthcare team first. They can help you make a plan that’s safe and sustainable based on your health and individual goals.

This story was produced by GoodRx and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.