Here’s a hard truth: relying solely on weight-loss medications for long-term success might be setting you up for disappointment. A groundbreaking study reveals that most people regain their lost weight within two years of stopping these drugs, often at an alarming rate of 0.4 kilograms per month. But here's where it gets controversial: despite their initial effectiveness, these medications might not be the magic bullet we’ve been led to believe.
The research, published in the BMJ (https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj-2025-085304), analyzed 37 studies involving over 9,000 participants who used weight-loss drugs like GLP-1 receptor agonists for at least two months. The findings are eye-opening: not only did patients regain weight after discontinuing the medications, but their risk factors for diabetes and heart disease also reverted to pre-treatment levels within two years. For GLP-1 drugs, data was limited to just one year post-treatment, with projections based on 52-week follow-ups.
And this is the part most people miss: the rate of weight regain after stopping these drugs is nearly four times faster than after relying solely on diet and exercise—regardless of how much weight was lost during treatment. Researchers caution, ‘While these drugs excel at initial weight loss, they may fall short for long-term weight control.’ This raises questions about their short-term use and underscores the need for cost-effective, sustainable strategies.
Dr. Trevor Steward, a senior research fellow at the University of Melbourne, notes that this mirrors what many doctors see in practice: weight often returns once patients stop taking the medication. ‘This is critical,’ he explains, ‘because many people discontinue due to high costs, side effects, or the hassle of ongoing injections.’ The takeaway? Medications should never be viewed as a standalone solution.
‘We need clearer evidence on how these drugs work and what happens after patients stop,’ Dr. Steward adds. ‘How do we transition care? What lifestyle and psychological support is needed to maintain results?’ These questions are especially pressing as access to weight-loss medications skyrockets globally. In the U.S., one in eight people has used injectable GLP-1 drugs (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-23/wegovy-pill-approved-in-us-new-obesity-treatment/106175652), while in Australia, hundreds of thousands pay up to $5,000 annually for private prescriptions (https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/pbac-weight-loss-drug-decision-imminent).
However, Australia’s Federal Government is considering adding GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide (sold as Wegovy) to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, following a recommendation late last year (https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/wegovy-recommended-for-pbs-listing). Associate Professor Dominika Kwasnicka, from the University of Melbourne, warns that this shift has ‘major policy implications.’ ‘With expanding access and high out-of-pocket costs, there’s a risk of short-term gains followed by weight regain and lost health benefits once treatment stops,’ she says. ‘These medications should be part of a comprehensive, long-term care model that includes behavioral support, continuity of care, and honest conversations about treatment duration.’
But here’s the real question: Are we treating these drugs as quick fixes rather than tools in a broader strategy? Let’s discuss—do you think weight-loss medications should be used long-term, or is there a better way to approach obesity management? Share your thoughts below!
