What This Article Covers
- What GLP-1 receptor agonists are and how they work
- Why adults with overweight or obesity start and stop using them
- Key study findings on discontinuation and reinitiation rates
- Real-life reasons behind these patterns like weight loss, side effects, and income
- How these insights may shape future obesity care and drug access
Quick Summary (TL;DR)
A major new study found that many adults who start GLP-1 receptor agonists — a medicine that helps with weight loss — stop using it within a year. Almost half of people with type 2 diabetes and nearly two-thirds without it quit the drug. Some later restarted, especially if they gained weight again. This shows that sticking with these medicines is hard for many people.
Why This Topic Matters Right Now
Right now, millions of people are turning to new weight loss medications like GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and others. These drugs are often seen as game-changers for people with obesity or type 2 diabetes. But here’s the problem: a lot of people start these medications and then stop — and many don’t go back on them.
Why is that happening? Is it because of side effects, cost, or something else? This study helps us understand the real-life story behind the stop-and-go use of these powerful treatments.
What the Scientists Studied
Let’s imagine you’ve joined a gym. You start off strong, go every day, feel better — but after a few months, you stop going. Life gets busy, you get sore, or it just gets too expensive. Later, you might try again.
Now imagine that story, but instead of a gym, it’s a medicine meant to help you lose weight and improve your health.
Researchers at JAMA Network Open wanted to understand a similar pattern: why do people who begin taking GLP-1 RAs (a kind of shot or pill that helps manage weight and blood sugar) stop using them — and what makes some of them restart later?
To find out, they looked at 125,474 adults across the U.S. who started these medications between 2017 and 2021. Some had type 2 diabetes, others didn’t. The scientists tracked:
- Who stopped using the medicine within a year
- Who started taking it again
- What made people stop or restart
What They Found (And What It Means)
Here’s what surprised many people:
- Almost half (46.5%) of people with type 2 diabetes stopped the medicine within a year
- Nearly two-thirds (64.8%) without diabetes also stopped
- For those who stopped, about half with diabetes restarted, but only 1 in 3 without diabetes did
Why did they stop?
The study uncovered 3 big reasons:
- They lost weight – and thought they didn’t need it anymore
- They had side effects – like nausea or tummy troubles
- They couldn’t afford it – higher-income people were more likely to stay on it
And why did they come back?
Simple: they gained the weight back. That was one of the strongest reasons people restarted GLP-1 RAs.
Think of it this way:
It's like stopping a diet once you've lost weight, only to find the pounds sneak back. You return to what worked before — if you can afford it.
What This Doesn’t Mean (Keeping It Honest)
Let’s be clear about what the study doesn’t say:
- It doesn’t mean GLP-1 receptor agonists don’t work. They do, especially for weight loss and diabetes control.
- It doesn’t mean stopping is always bad — some people may no longer need the medicine after real lifestyle changes.
- And it doesn’t mean people are doing something wrong. Health care, side effects, and life situations all play a big role.
This is more about understanding real-life challenges, not blaming anyone.
How This Might Help You (Without Making Claims)
This research shines a light on how hard it can be to stay on a long-term weight or diabetes treatment plan — even if the medication is helpful.
If you’re someone considering or currently using GLP-1 RAs, it may help to:
- Know that others go through ups and downs too
- Understand that side effects and cost are very real issues
- Realize that it’s common to need more than one try
You’re not alone — and this science proves it.
Where the Science Goes Next
Now that we know many people are stopping and restarting GLP-1 RA therapy, scientists and doctors are asking:
- How can we help people stick with the treatment, especially when it works?
- Can doctors and insurance companies do more to make access easier?
- What support do people need when they lose weight but want to keep it off — with or without the medicine?
We might also see new ways to combine GLP-1 RAs with coaching, nutrition help, or tech tools that keep people on track.
Conclusion
This study from JAMA Network Open revealed a surprising truth: a lot of people start GLP-1 weight loss medications, but many stop within a year — and some return when the weight comes back.
It shows that even the best medications come with challenges, especially when it comes to side effects, money, and motivation.
The big takeaway? Sticking with treatment is tough. Support and access matter. And health journeys are rarely straight lines.
Explore More Medical Breakthroughs
For more insightful studies and information about exciting medical advancements, visit Explore More Medical Breakthroughs.