RESEARCH released today has revealed that people who stop taking their weight loss medication return to their original weight in less than two years on average, with metabolic markers also returning to pre-treatment levels.
Published in The BMJ, the review covered 37 studies including over 9,000 participants who took weight loss medications - including but not limited to GLP-1 receptor agonists - for at least two months.
It showed that the average rate of weight regain is 0.4kg/month after stopping treatment, with weight and risk markers for diabetes and heart disease predicted to return to pre-treatment levels in less than two years.
When compared to people who stopped weight loss behavioural management trials, researchers said the rate of weight regain after stopping weight loss drugs was almost four times faster.
"This evidence suggests that despite their success in achieving initial weight loss, these drugs alone may not be sufficient for long term weight control," said the researchers.
Professor Clare Collins from the University of Newcastle said that while the weight regain findings were "completely expected", it was interesting that the researchers looked at changes in metabolic markers as well.
"This highlights that obesity is a chronic relapsing condition with health and medical implications and that these medications will need to be taken long-term - just like other health conditions," Professor Collins said.
"More research is needed to identify optimal maintenance medication regimes and what support is needed regarding nutrition, physical activity and psychology to sustain long-term health and wellbeing."
Meanwhile, researcher Dr Dominika Kwasnicka from the University of Melbourne said the study had important policy implications for Australia.
"Access to these medications is expanding, often with substantial out-of-pocket costs and limited structured follow-up," she said.
"Without long-term planning, there is a risk of short-term benefit followed by weight regain and loss of health gains once treatment ceases.
"These results support the need to embed pharmacotherapy within comprehensive, long-term models of care that include behavioural support, continuity of care, and realistic discussions about duration of treatment, rather than viewing these medications as short-term solutions," she concluded.
Read the paper HERE. KB
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 08 Jan 26
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 08 Jan 26
