Weight-loss drugs like Wegovy (semaglutide) and Ozempic have surged in popularity due to their impressive weight-loss and health benefits. These medications, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, help people significantly reduce weight, manage type 2 diabetes, and improve heart and metabolic health. However, new research raises critical questions about their long-term effectiveness and sustainability.
Why People Stop Taking These Medications
Recent findings published in JAMA Network Open showed that most people discontinue using these drugs within two years. Half stopped within one year, and nearly three-quarters quit by the second year, with even higher rates among people without diabetes (85%). The leading factors behind stopping include:
- High Costs: With prices around $1,000 per month, many patients can’t afford to continue treatment, especially without insurance support.
- Side Effects: Gastrointestinal issues are common and uncomfortable, leading to discontinuation.
What Happens When You Stop?
When individuals stop taking medications like Wegovy or Ozempic, weight regain is common. The suppressed hunger returns, often stronger, reversing significant health gains like lowered blood pressure and improved blood sugar levels. Studies indicate:
- Most regain substantial weight within a year.
- Health improvements like reduced blood pressure usually reverse, though some minimal benefits can persist, particularly if a significant initial weight loss occurred.
Can Reducing the Dose Help?
Experts are exploring alternatives such as tapering doses slowly, potentially maintaining health benefits longer. Initial studies suggest this approach could be beneficial, though further rigorous research is needed.
Are These Drugs a Temporary Fix or Lifelong Treatment?
Experts are divided:
- Some compare obesity treatments to chronic condition medications (like blood pressure pills), suggesting continuous use.
- Others highlight the importance of affordability and sustainability, advocating for insurance coverage and cost reductions to maintain long-term treatments.
The Bottom Line
While drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic provide significant benefits, their long-term success depends heavily on affordability, side-effect management, and perhaps innovative dosing strategies. Patients and healthcare providers must carefully weigh these factors to optimize long-term health outcomes.
