Stopping GLP-1 therapy leads to regain of most lost weight and reversal of cardiometabolic improvements.
- Current status
- EstablishedEvidence stable · Discontinuation
- Why
- STEP 1 extension: two-thirds of lost weight regained within a year; SURMOUNT-4: +14% after switching tirzepatide to placebo. Implies indefinite treatment is needed to maintain effects.
- What would change it
- Evidence that intermittent or tapered dosing maintains benefits.
- Linked studies
- 2 · 2 supports
- Last updated
- Sep 13, 2026
The status is the collection's own judgment on its assessment scale, not a GRADE certainty rating and not medical advice.
01The evidence
The evidence, sorted by what it shows
Supports (2)
- Continued Treatment With Tirzepatide for Maintenance of Weight Reduction in Adults With Obesity: The SURMOUNT-4 Randomized Clinical TrialRandomized trial · 2024 · Study tier 1 · Different population · Benefit · Industry funded
SURMOUNT-4 randomized withdrawal.
- Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: The STEP 1 trial extensionRandomized trial · 2022 · Study tier 2 · Different population · Harm direction · Industry funded
STEP 1 extension, n=327 exploratory.
02History
How this assessment has changed
- EstablishedSep 13, 2026 · Evidence stable
initial curated status