Millions of Americans Face Dilemma: Stopping Obesity Drugs Leads to Weight Regain
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A New Challenge for those Benefiting from Obesity Drugs
Many Americans who have successfully shed pounds and improved their health through the use of popular obesity drugs like Wegovy are now confronted with a new predicament: the fear of regaining weight and returning to their old habits.
In clinical trials, patients who paused the medications often witnessed regained weight, losing most of the weight they had previously shed Yahoo! Voices.
Do-It-Yourself Strategies to Wean Off Obesity Drugs
Some individuals, on the other hand, are experimenting with alternative strategies to taper off the drugs gradually. These strategies include stretching out doses, taking medication intermittently, or resuming treatment only if necessary.
Donna Cooper, a 62-year-old from Front Royal, Virginia, who lost nearly 40 pounds with Wegovy, views the drugs as a temporary aid. Cooper acknowledges the need to eventually come off the medication to sustain weight loss, expressing her desire to avoid long-term dependencies.
Influx of Prescriptions for New Obesity Drugs
New medication prescriptions, such as semaglutide found in Ozempic and Wegovy, as well as tirzepatide found in Mounjaro and Zepbound, are being dispensed in excessive numbers in the United States. Recent data from the health technology company IQVIA suggests that over 3 million prescriptions are being filled each month Yahoo! Voices.
Persistence Issues in Obesity Drug Prescription Usage
Despite the availability and effectiveness of these new drugs, many patients fail to adhere to their recommended treatment. A recent study published in the journal Obesity found that only 40% of patients who received a prescription for Wegovy in 2021 or 2022 continued taking it a year later Yahoo! Voices.
Medical professionals specializing in obesity treatment emphasize that the disease requires ongoing management, comparing it to chronic conditions like heart disease or high blood pressure. These injection drugs have been developed and tested to be taken continuously, signaling that it is not recommended to use them intermittently Yahoo! Voices.
Significant Challenges of Discontinuing Obesity Drugs
However, not all patients are content with continuous treatment, especially those who have achieved their health and weight goals. Stepping down or discontinuing the medication altogether appeals to many individuals, even against medical advice meant for long-term medicine compliance.
Dr. Amy Rothberg, an endocrinologist at the University of Michigan, highlights the desire of many patients to reduce their medication dose or cease taking it altogether. Rothberg suggests that for some patients, intermittent use may be an option, albeit not suitable for the majority Yahoo! Voices.
Varied Reasons for Pausing Obesity Drug Treatment
Suspending the use of obesity drugs stems from individual preferences and circumstances. Reports suggest that dissatisfaction with side effects, such as nausea and constipation, motivate some patients to discontinue treatment. Others temporarily pause the treatment during holidays, special occasions, or due to apprehension about continuous medication administration.
Unexpected Challenges in Continuity of Drug Usage
For some patients, the high costs of these drugs, which range from $1,000 to $1,300 per month, pose a significant hurdle. Discrepancies in insurance coverage and inadequate supply can lead to rationing or halting the treatment as an unintended consequence Yahoo! Voices.
The Biological Challenges of Halting Obesity Drugs
Experts affirm that hoping for the long-lasting benefits of obesity drugs, even after discontinuation, overlooks the fundamental biology of obesity. Given that obesity affects the body’s energy processing and storage mechanisms, discontinuing medication often triggers the return of the disease, often exacerbating symptoms.
Increased symptoms of obesity, such as intrusive food-related thoughts, intensified hunger, and reduced feelings of fullness, have been reported by individuals stopping the medication. Patients need to acknowledge that these drugs act as powerful suppressors of fundamental biological signals and anticipate such side effects Yahoo! Voices.
Challenges Faced by Patients Pausing Obesity Drugs
The unpredictability that arises when patients stop and restart obesity drugs can result in severe gastrointestinal side effects and diminished efficacy. Experts stress the lack of data on the long-term effects of intermittent use. While not a recommended strategy for the majority, selective individuals may benefit from this approach Yahoo! Voices.
Hoping for Sustainable Weight Management
Despite concerns about weight regain after discontinuing the drugs, some individuals, like Donna Cooper, remain optimistic about maintaining their weight loss achievements. Cooper, intending to continue with a strict diet and exercise plan after exhausting her supply of Wegovy injections, symbolizes the determination to sustain progress Yahoo! Voices.
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