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Stopping weight loss jabs can lead to rapid weight regain in one year, study suggests

Karen Davis 03/05/2026

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Weight Loss Jabs May Result in Substantial Weight Regain Within a Year, Research Indicates

Significant Weight Recovery Observed After Discontinuation

A new study proposes that individuals using obesity-targeted injections may experience notable weight recovery within a year of stopping treatment. Researchers from the University of Cambridge discovered that, after a 52-week break from the medication, participants regained approximately 60% of the weight they had previously lost.

Experts caution that if the majority of the regained weight consists of fat, individuals might end up in a less favorable health state compared to their pre-treatment condition. This could mean they are worse off than before they began the therapy, according to the analysis.

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Their Dual Applications

These injections belong to the GLP-1 receptor agonist category, designed to replicate the hormone GLP-1, thereby influencing blood sugar and insulin regulation. Initially created for managing type 2 diabetes, specific formulations like semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) have been adopted by the NHS for obesity treatment.

A follow-up investigation involving over 600,000 U.S. veterans with type 2 diabetes suggests that these injections may aid in curbing addictions to substances including alcohol, tobacco, and narcotics such as cannabis, cocaine, nicotine, and opioids. The findings highlight potential therapeutic applications beyond weight management.

Long-Term Weight Regain Patterns and Lean Mass Concerns

Published in eClinicalMedicine, the Cambridge research encompassed six trials with over 3,200 participants, highlighting that “substantial weight regain occurs after stopping the medication.” However, the study noted that weight return tends to stabilize, decreasing to around 75% of the initial loss by 60 weeks, suggesting that 25% might be maintained over time.

“Our projections show that even though people regain most of the weight they have lost, they still maintain some of the weight loss, but what we currently don’t know is if the same proportion of lean mass is recovered,” said Brajan Budini, a medical student at the University of Cambridge’s School of Clinical Medicine and Trinity College.

Substance Use Reduction in Veterans

The BMJ study also reported decreased risks for alcohol-related issues (18%), cannabis use (14%), cocaine abuse (20%), nicotine dependence (20%), and opioid addiction (25%) in veterans on GLP-1 agonists compared to those on alternative diabetes treatments. Additionally, for individuals with pre-existing substance use disorders, the medication was associated with a 31% reduction in emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and mortality related to SUDs, as well as a decline in drug overdoses and suicidal tendencies.

Notably, while the primary cohort consisted of older men, comparable outcomes were observed in women.