What Happens When You Stop Taking Mounjaro?

Understanding what happens when you stop taking Mounjaro is important for making informed decisions about your weight loss treatment. Here's what the research shows and what you can expect.

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Weight Regain After Stopping

The honest answer: most people regain weight after stopping Mounjaro. This isn't a failure of willpower; it's simply how these medications work.

In the SURMOUNT-4 trial, participants who stopped tirzepatide after 36 weeks regained approximately two-thirds of the weight they had lost over the following year. Those who continued the medication maintained their weight loss.

Why Does This Happen?

Mounjaro works by:

• Suppressing appetite
• Slowing stomach emptying
• Affecting hunger and satiety hormones

When you stop taking it, these effects reverse. Your appetite returns to pre-treatment levels, and without the medication's support, maintaining a caloric deficit becomes significantly harder.

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The Timeline After Stopping

First 1-2 Weeks

The medication gradually leaves your system. You may notice:

• Appetite returning
• Food cravings increasing
• Feeling hungry more often

Weeks 2-8

As the medication clears completely:

• Appetite typically returns to pre-treatment levels
• Weight may start to increase
• Food behaviours may revert to old patterns

Months 3-12

Without intervention:

• Weight regain typically continues
• Most people regain a significant portion of lost weight
• Some may return to their starting weight or higher

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Is Weight Regain Inevitable?

Not necessarily, but it requires significant effort. Some factors that may help maintain weight loss include:

• Established lifestyle changes: If you've developed sustainable eating and exercise habits during treatment
• Lower maintenance dose: Some people may maintain with a lower dose rather than stopping completely
• Intermittent use: Some patients cycle on and off the medication (though this isn't well studied)
• Structured support: Ongoing dietary and exercise support programs

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Why People Stop Treatment

Common reasons for discontinuing include:

• Cost concerns
• Side effects
• Reaching goal weight (assuming medication is no longer needed)
• Pregnancy planning
• Personal preference for non-medication approaches
• Supply issues or availability

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The Case for Long-Term Treatment

Obesity is increasingly understood as a chronic condition requiring ongoing management, similar to high blood pressure or diabetes. Just as you wouldn't stop blood pressure medication once your readings normalise, weight loss medications often need to be continued to maintain results.

This doesn't mean you're "dependent" on the medication in a negative sense. It means you're using an effective tool to manage a chronic health condition.

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Strategies If You Must Stop

If you need to discontinue Mounjaro:

Gradual Reduction

Rather than stopping abruptly, discuss tapering with your doctor. Gradually reducing your dose may ease the transition.

Intensive Lifestyle Support

Work with a dietitian or weight management program to establish strong habits before stopping.

Monitor Closely

Weigh yourself regularly and have a plan for what to do if weight begins to increase significantly.

Consider Restarting

Know that returning to medication is an option if needed. There's no shame in restarting treatment.

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Discuss Your Options

At Well Revolution, we can help you understand your long-term treatment options and develop a plan that works for your goals and circumstances. Whether you're planning to continue treatment indefinitely or considering stopping, we're here to support you.

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References

• SURMOUNT-4 Trial - Weight Regain After Discontinuation