Discontinuing Weight Loss Injections Leads to Old Ailments Resurfacing

northwestern university, united states - A recent study by Northwestern University reveals that individuals who stop using weight loss injections rapidly regain lost weight, along with experiencing higher blood pressure and an increased risk of heart diseases.

A recent study conducted by Northwestern University has shown that individuals who discontinue weight loss injections tend to regain two-thirds of their lost weight rapidly. Additionally, they experience higher blood pressure and an increased risk of heart diseases.

The semaglutide in the medications helps significantly reduce appetite. An added benefit is a reduced risk of heart attack and diabetes. Previous studies have shown that the average patient lost more than fifteen percent of their body weight after 68 weeks of injections, sometimes up to twenty percent.

However, within twelve months of the treatment cessation, approximately 300 patients regained about two-thirds of the weight they had lost, along with their old ailments. This raises the question of whether these individuals should consider permanent usage of the medication. Northwestern University advocates for further research.

In the United States, a country battling an obesity epidemic, it is observed that many individuals use these medications for a short period. 85 percent discontinue within two years, with 71 percent giving up within the first year. Reasons range from achieving their target weight to financial constraints, as purchasing privately can cost hundreds of euros per month. Side effects, such as gastrointestinal disorders including nausea (very common), diarrhea (very common), and vomiting (common), are also cited as reasons for discontinuation.

Another reason for discontinuation is the 'Ozempic face' that many people perceive to develop. Rapid weight loss can cause facial fat reduction, leading to sagging skin. Individuals may develop sunken cheeks and hollow temples, making wrinkles more prominent.

Dr. Domenica Rubino, Director of the Washington Centre for Weight Management and Research, cautioned against underestimating these medications, stating, 'Obesity is not like an infection where you take antibiotics and are done.'

Currently, five million Americans are using weight loss injections, originally intended to combat diabetes. Four in ten individuals use them solely for weight loss purposes, not for diabetes.

The use of semaglutide in the Netherlands, much like in the US, has seen significant growth in recent years. It gained popularity in the US when public figures like Elon Musk, Kim Kardashian, and Oprah Winfrey openly endorsed its usage. In the Netherlands, the number of official customers rose from 12,000 in 2019 to 90,000 last year. While these medications are prescription-only, there is a thriving black market for the injections.

Several new obesity medications are on the horizon. By the end of this year, Mounjaro with the active ingredient tirzepatide from Eli Lilly is expected to be available for overweight individuals. In a large American study, this new medication outperformed Ozempic. Individuals using Mounjaro lost 15.3 percent of their body weight in a year, compared to 8.3 percent with Ozempic. Like Ozempic, Mounjaro is available only by prescription.