It’s true that to get the most out of weight loss medication, you should take it for at least a year (while making healthy lifestyle changes).
But per current guidance, you aren’t meant to use these medicines forever. For instance, the NHS recommends that you take Wegovy for two years max. So, what happens when you stop taking Mounjaro for weight loss?
If you’re using Mounjaro and seeing results, we get that you might feel worried you’ll regain the weight you’ve lost when you come off the medicine. Mounjaro’s effects will peter out when you stop taking it, but because you’ll have built up lasting, healthy habits by then, it’s still possible to maintain your progress. Here’s what you need to know.
What is Mounjaro and how does it help with weight loss?
First things first: what does Mounjaro do? It’s a weekly injection for weight loss that works by acting like two hunger hormones called GLP-1 and GIP.
Mounjaro makes you feel full by stimulating production of insulin when you eat (this tells the brain you’ve had enough), slowing the rate of digestion, and communicating directly with the brain.
And because it brings on these effects via the actions of two hormones rather than one, like Saxenda and Wegovy do, Mounjaro is considered the more potent medicine.
Mounjaro withdrawal symptoms
The good news is that stopping Mounarjo isn’t known to cause withdrawal symptoms like you might experience when coming off some other medications.
But there are a few potential effects to be aware of. When you stop taking Mounjaro, the effects of the drug, primarily those related to blood sugar and appetite, will be reversed.
Potential effects after stopping Mounjaro
When you stop taking Mounjaro, its effects will diminish as it gradually gets flushed out of your system. Based on what we know from scientific research, here’s what that might look like.
Increased appetite
You may find that your appetite dials up, because Mounjaro is no longer making you feel full. You could think of it like this: Mounjaro works to block your appetite, but it doesn’t ‘fix’ or change the reasons why you experience appetite in the first place. So, when you stop taking it, the block is removed and your appetite comes back.
Weight gain
People do generally regain some weight when they come off Mounjaro. In one clinical trial, on average, people who had lost 20.9% body weight after using Mounjaro for 36 weeks regained 14% a year later after switching to placebo.
Though by the end of the study, those who came off Mounjaro after 36 weeks were still almost 10% lighter on average than they were before they started—which is still a significant result.
And remember: the above are average results, meaning some people kept off more and some less. Of those in the placebo group, 16.6% were able to maintain at least 80% of the weight they lost during those initial 36 weeks.
Heart health
Because getting to a healthy weight is good news for your heart, regaining some of what you’ve lost can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. That’s one reason why it’s super important to keep up your diet and exercise routine after you stop Mounjaro.
Digestive issues
Gut-related side effects are common on Mounjaro, affecting over one in ten people. So, those symptoms should ease when you stop taking it.
Blood sugar
This one is more of a concern for people with type 2 diabetes, where the body doesn’t produce enough insulin. Earlier, we mentioned that Mounjaro stimulates insulin production when you eat. This helps you feel full but also keeps your blood sugar in check. If you can’t produce enough insulin on your own, coming off Mounjaro may lead to rises in blood sugar.
How to prevent weight gain after stopping Mounjaro?
As we saw earlier, it is possible to keep a good amount of weight off after you stop taking Mounjaro. And FYI: losing just 5% of your weight can bring on health benefits.
This also feels like a good time to remind you that your journey is not about the numbers on the scale. It’s about making lasting, healthy changes that support your body to work at its best.
By the time you come off Mounjaro, you’ll have settled into a diet and exercise routine. And sticking to it will go a long way in maintaining your health and progress.
Strength training
All exercise is good for you. But when it comes to weight loss, strength training is particularly beneficial. Your muscles are active tissues that use energy so if you build more muscle, your body’s energy needs will go up. This can help you burn more calories.
Aerobic exercise is important, too. It’s good for your heart and has been shown to support weight loss. In fact, in some studies, combining both aerobic and strength training led to the best results.
Aim for at least two strength sessions and at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity movement per week.
Eat well
Excuse us for trotting out a cliché, but you really are what you eat. Diet is one of the most important elements of a weight loss plan and in improving your general health.
Reach for foods that keep you full while having fewer calories, and that will give your body the essential nutrients it needs. Think lean sources of protein (fish, tofu, chicken), plenty of fruit and veg, and wholegrain carbohydrates (these will be digested slower and keep you feeling satisfied).
Be kind to yourself
After all your hard work, we understand that the idea of regaining weight might be upsetting. But if you can accept that this is just something that can happen with these medicines, you can keep yourself from succumbing to negative thoughts and behaviours that might work against what you’ve achieved.
Showing yourself some compassion can help you feel better and motivate you to keep up your routine. We know you’ve got this!
How to stop taking Mounjaro safely
The very first thing you should do is speak with your provider. Once they give you the green light, they can advise on when to take your last dose. Transitioning off treatment affects everyone differently, so it the important to speak to your clinician to review your plan together. To reduce the risk of rebound weight gain, gradually reducing the dose is advised.
After you’ve done your final Mounjaro weight loss injection, dispose of the pen safely following the instructions in the leaflet that came with it
And that’s it: sit tight and wait for the medicine to leave your system. If you have any symptoms that are severe, don’t go away, or are bothering you during that time, get back in touch with your provider.
Currently using a different medicine but want to switch to Mounjaro? Read our advice here.
Maintaining your progress
If you’ve already started your weight loss journey, that’s brilliant—we’re so excited for you to reach your health goals.
But you don’t have to do it alone. You can get one-to-one support and guidance from our expert coaches, plus weight loss medications, through our weight loss programme. And when it’s time for you to come off the medicine, you’ll have forged healthy habits that will last you a lifetime.
You can take your next step right now. Fill out this short form to see if you’re eligible for the programme. It won’t take more than a few minutes.
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