There may not be a safe off-ramp for some taking GLP-1 drugs, study suggests
The rising popularity of GLP-1 weight-loss medications, such as tirzepatide (marketed as Zepbound by Eli Lilly), is making a significant impact on obesity rates across the United States. A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine reveals that while these drugs are effective in promoting weight loss and improving metabolic health, the challenge of maintaining these benefits after discontinuation remains unresolved. The study found that participants who stopped taking tirzepatide not only regained substantial amounts of weight but also experienced a reversal of cardiovascular and metabolic improvements. Key health indicators, including blood pressure, cholesterol levels, hemoglobin A1c, and fasting insulin, deteriorated, highlighting the potential long-term dependency on these medications for sustained health benefits.
In light of these findings, medical experts Elizabeth Oczypok and Timothy Anderson from the University of Pittsburgh advocate for a shift in how these medications are perceived. They propose that GLP-1 drugs should be reclassified from “weight loss” to “weight management” medications, suggesting that individuals may need to remain on these treatments indefinitely to maintain their health improvements. This perspective underscores a growing concern in the medical community about the sustainability of weight loss achieved through pharmaceutical means and the need for comprehensive strategies that include lifestyle changes and ongoing support. As the conversation around obesity management evolves, it is crucial to consider both the benefits and limitations of these medications, ensuring that patients are informed about the potential need for long-term use in their weight management journey.
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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