There may not be a safe off-ramp for some taking GLP-1 drugs, study suggests
The recent surge in popularity of GLP-1 weight-loss medications, such as tirzepatide (marketed as Zepbound by Eli Lilly), is making waves in the fight against obesity. A new analysis published in JAMA Internal Medicine reveals that while these medications have helped many individuals shed excess weight and improve their overall health, the challenge of maintaining these benefits after discontinuation remains a significant concern. The study found that participants who were instructed to stop taking tirzepatide not only regained substantial amounts of weight but also experienced a deterioration in cardiovascular and metabolic health markers. Key indicators such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, hemoglobin A1c (a measure of blood glucose control), and fasting insulin levels reverted to pre-treatment conditions, highlighting the need for a more sustainable approach to weight management.
In light of these findings, experts like Elizabeth Oczypok and Timothy Anderson from the University of Pittsburgh advocate for a paradigm shift in how these medications are perceived. They propose that GLP-1 drugs should be reclassified from “weight loss” medications to “weight management” therapies, suggesting that long-term use may be necessary for effective weight control and health maintenance. This perspective underscores the complex nature of obesity treatment, where simply losing weight is not enough; ongoing management is crucial for sustaining health improvements. As the national obesity rates continue to decline thanks to the adoption of these medications, the medical community faces the pressing question of how to best support patients in transitioning off these drugs while preserving their health gains. The urgency for a safe, evidence-based strategy for discontinuing GLP-1 medications is more critical than ever, as many individuals may find themselves reliant on these treatments indefinitely to manage their weight and health.
The popularity of GLP-1 weight-loss medications continues to soar—and their uptake is helping to push down obesity rates on a national scale—but a safe, evidence-based way off the drugs isn’t yet in clear view.
An
analysis published this week in JAMA Internal Medicine
found that most participants in a clinical trial who were assigned to stop taking tirzepatide (Zepbound from Eli Lilly) not only regained significant amounts of the weight they had lost on the drug, but they also saw their cardiovascular and metabolic improvements slip away. Their blood pressure went back up, as did their cholesterol, hemoglobin A
1c
(used to assess glucose control levels), and fasting insulin.
In
an accompanying editorial
, two medical experts at the University of Pittsburgh, Elizabeth Oczypok and Timothy Anderson, suggest that this new class of drugs should be rebranded from “weight loss” drugs to “weight management” drugs, which people may need to take indefinitely.
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