Obesity Treatments and Weight Changes in Clinical Practice After Discontinuation of Semaglutide or Tirzepatide
Authors' conclusion
In this large sample of patients who discontinued semaglutide or tirzepatide, reinitiation of the original medication or receipt of alternative obesity treatment was common. The average weight change 1-year post-discontinuation was relatively small; however, there was considerable individual-level variability.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with overweight or obesity who initiated injectable semaglutide or tirzepatide for obesity or T2D (2021–2023) and discontinued within 3–12 months; mean age 55.7 years, 63.8% female
- Participants
- 7,938 adults
- Exposure
- Obesity vs T2D
- Outcome
- Reinitiation of index medication or receipt of alternative treatment; body weight change from baseline to discontinuation and from discontinuation to 1 year post-discontinuation
- Follow-up
- 1-year post discontinuation
Methodological detailselectronic health records, large health system in Ohio and Florida
- Electronic health records
- Large health system in Ohio and Florida
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Treatment after discontinuation · 1-year post-discontinuation
- Restarted index medication
- 19.6%
- Received alternative obesity treatment
- 35.2%
- Started another medication
- 27.4%
- Lifestyle modification visit
- 13.7%
- Metabolic and bariatric surgery
- 0.6%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Mean
| Outcome | Obesity | T2D |
|---|---|---|
| Mean % weight change, baseline to discontinuation | −8.4% (95% CI −8.7%–-8.1%) | −4.4% (95% CI −4.7%–-4.2%) |
| Mean % weight change, discontinuation to 1 year later | 0.5% (95% CI 0.0%–1.0%) | −1.3% (95% CI −1.6%–-1.0%) |
Mean % weight change, discontinuation to 1 year later
- Considerable individual-level variability
Original publication
Obesity Treatments and Weight Changes in Clinical Practice After Discontinuation of Semaglutide or Tirzepatide. Diabetes Obes Metab. Published 12 March 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →