Researchers have found that the heart benefits of some weight-loss drugs may begin to decline within months of stopping their use, highlighting the importance of not stopping treatment without consulting a doctor
The study, published in the journal BMJ Medicine, followed more than 333,000 people with type 2 diabetes for three years, including about 132,000 people who used GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovi and Mongaro.
The results showed that people who continued to use these drugs experienced an 18% reduction in the risk of serious cardiovascular events, including heart attacks, strokes and death, compared to the control group.
However, this benefit diminished in those who discontinued treatment. The risk of these events increased by 14% after one year of stopping, and by 22% after two years, compared to those who continued treatment. The results also showed that resuming treatment helped restore some, but not all, of the cardiac protection.
Balvinder Deol, the pharmacist in charge at British Happy Pharmacy, said the results are a reminder that the effect of these drugs is not limited to weight loss.
He explained that the treatment can be associated with improved blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and inflammation markers, which are factors that affect heart health, but these benefits may begin to decline after stopping treatment, even before the patient notices the weight returning to its previous level.
Deol stressed that some patients successfully stop using it after achieving their goals, but "the difference is that stopping is done according to a well-thought-out plan in consultation with the doctor or pharmacist."
Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, the study's lead researcher and a clinical epidemiologist at the University of Washington School of Medicine, said that some patients stop treatment because of the cost, side effects, or difficulty in obtaining the medication.
He added that stopping could lead not only to weight regain, but also to a return of some changes related to blood pressure, cholesterol, and inflammation.
The new study focused on people with type 2 diabetes, so its findings cannot be directly applied to all those who use these drugs solely for weight loss.
Experts advise people who are thinking about stopping treatment to talk to their doctor or pharmacist first, especially those with diabetes or who are taking other medications to control their blood sugar levels.
The study indicates that stopping weight loss medications should be part of a clear treatment plan, not a sudden decision, with monitoring of weight, blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol levels after stopping.
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