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

Susan Moore March 7, 2026

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Stopping Weight Loss Jabs May Result in Rapid Weight Gain Within a Year, Study Indicates

A recent investigation suggests that individuals who discontinue obesity-fighting injections may recover most of the weight they lost within a year, according to researchers. The findings highlight potential challenges in maintaining long-term weight management through these treatments.

Scientists from the University of Cambridge observed that, after 52 weeks without the medication, participants on average regained 60% of the weight they had shed. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of the drugs in preventing weight rebound, especially if the returned mass is primarily fat.

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Their Applications

Weight loss injections are part of a drug class called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which replicate the hormone GLP-1 to control blood sugar and insulin. Initially designed for type 2 diabetes, some variants like semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) are now available on the NHS for obesity treatment.

A separate U.S. study, analyzing data from over 600,000 veterans with type 2 diabetes, revealed that GLP-1 drugs could also help prevent addiction to substances such as alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, and opioids. The research, published in the British Medical Journal, found a 14% drop in overall substance use disorders (SUDs) among those not previously addicted.

For individuals already struggling with addiction, the jabs were linked to a 31% reduction in emergency room visits, hospital admissions, and mortality related to substance misuse. The study, which focused mostly on older men, still showed similar outcomes in women.

“Our projections indicate that while most weight is regained, some loss is maintained. However, it remains unclear whether lean mass is recovered in the same proportion as fat, which could impact long-term health,” noted Brajan Budini, a medical student at the University of Cambridge.

The Cambridge team, based on six trials involving more than 3,200 participants, emphasized the need for further research to understand how weight composition changes during and after treatment. They also warned that the drugs might not be a permanent solution, with weight regain potentially stabilizing at 75% of the initial loss by 60 weeks.