Weight Loss Injections and the Up-and-Down Struggle
Dropping pounds has never seemed simpler with the advent of weight loss injections. Yet, an unwelcome surprise emerges shortly after ceasing the medication: studies indicate that a yo-yo effect crops up rather swiftly.
A silver lining in the ongoing struggle against obesity is the potential of certain drugs. However, research reveals a yo-yo effect following termination, as reported in the journal "Jama" by a research team. Their patients, who had taken tirzepatide for 36 weeks, tended to regain their lost weight when given a placebo. On the contrary, those who continued taking the drug continued their weight loss journey.
These findings do not come as a shock to specialists. In fact, tirzepatide, approved for obesity treatment in the U.S., but not in the EU, can only be used under special circumstances to manage type 2 diabetes in Germany, as "Mounjaro." The researchers found that tirzepatide outperforms semaglutide, a popular weight loss injection, though study participants were required to maintain a healthy diet and physical routine.
Identical Results for Semaglutide
The trial involved 670 obese or overweight participants from various countries, who had managed to reduce their weight by around 21% after 36 weeks. However, the group given a placebo after this initial phase experienced a significant weight gain by the study's end. Despite this, they had still lost roughly 10% of their initial weight overall.
In the perspective of the investigators, the data underscores the requirement for prolonged therapy to avoid weight regain. Five separate studies on various medication types - including semaglutide - have revealed an undeniable yo-yo effect when medications are discontinued.
Side Effects and Long-term Concerns
Nausea, diarrhea, and constipation are typical issues associated with weight loss injections, as the study findings suggest. The adverse effects are mostly described as mild to moderate and tend to diminish over time.
The Challenge of Sustained Weight Loss
Evidently, tablet-based weight loss medications like tirzepatide and semaglutide demonstrate remarkable short-term success. However, achieving long-term weight management requires ongoing commitment and therapy.
Distant Relatives:
While tireless weight loss pursuits may yield promising results with medications like tirzepatide and semaglutide, prolonged research sheds light on a yo-yo effect that sets in following cessation. For example, patients who discontinued tirzepatide saw a weight regain, while those who continued it maintained their weight loss. Similarly, studies on semaglutide show weight regain when therapy is abandoned, emphasizing the importance of persistence in weight maintenance therapy.
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Supporting Research: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
