REBOUND OBESITY AFTER GLP-1 AGONISTS DISCONTINUATION

Introduction: Discontinuation of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) often results in rebound obesity and excessive weight regain. This review explores the physiological, psychological, and behavioural factors contributing to weight regain after the discontinuation of GLP-1 RAs. Me...

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Main Authors: Zainab M. Al-Shammaa, Heba M. Attash, Luma Al-Obaidy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Education in Action Club 2025-07-01
Series:Global Journal of Public Health Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.gjphm.org/index.php/gjphm/article/view/336
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author Zainab M. Al-Shammaa
Heba M. Attash
Luma Al-Obaidy
author_facet Zainab M. Al-Shammaa
Heba M. Attash
Luma Al-Obaidy
author_sort Zainab M. Al-Shammaa
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Discontinuation of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) often results in rebound obesity and excessive weight regain. This review explores the physiological, psychological, and behavioural factors contributing to weight regain after the discontinuation of GLP-1 RAs. Methods: This narrative review involved a review of literature published in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The search for peer-reviewed literature in English started on 8 March 2025 and was repeated for updates on 25 March 2025. Results: The literature search identified only five studies that examined weight regain following the discontinuation of GLP-1 receptor agonists. These studies found that some users of these agents had regained the weight they lost before upon discontinuing GLP-1RAs. The proposed mechanism for this phenomenon is that abrupt cessation of appetite inhibition induced by GLP-1RAs leads to a surge in hunger, reduced energy expenditure, and fat mass gain. Psychological factors, like emotional overeating and dependence on the therapy, further exacerbate rebound. Clinical studies show significant weight regain after stopping semaglutide, liraglutide, or tirzepatide. Conclusion: This review focuses on the complex phenomenon of rebound obesity that may develop upon GLP-1 RAs discontinuation, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies to manage weight regain. Potential approaches include gradual dose reduction, combination therapies, and lifestyle interventions to mitigate weight regain.
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spelling doaj-art-70d41ee48c914bdab65b32965fe826a02025-08-20T04:03:16ZengEducation in Action ClubGlobal Journal of Public Health Medicine2664-46572025-07-017120821510.37557/gjphm.v7i1.336326REBOUND OBESITY AFTER GLP-1 AGONISTS DISCONTINUATIONZainab M. Al-Shammaa0Heba M. Attash1Luma Al-Obaidy2College of Pharmacy, University of Mosul, Nineveh, IraqCollege of Pharmacy, University of Mosul, Nineveh, IraqCollege of Pharmacy, University of Mosul, Nineveh, IraqIntroduction: Discontinuation of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) often results in rebound obesity and excessive weight regain. This review explores the physiological, psychological, and behavioural factors contributing to weight regain after the discontinuation of GLP-1 RAs. Methods: This narrative review involved a review of literature published in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The search for peer-reviewed literature in English started on 8 March 2025 and was repeated for updates on 25 March 2025. Results: The literature search identified only five studies that examined weight regain following the discontinuation of GLP-1 receptor agonists. These studies found that some users of these agents had regained the weight they lost before upon discontinuing GLP-1RAs. The proposed mechanism for this phenomenon is that abrupt cessation of appetite inhibition induced by GLP-1RAs leads to a surge in hunger, reduced energy expenditure, and fat mass gain. Psychological factors, like emotional overeating and dependence on the therapy, further exacerbate rebound. Clinical studies show significant weight regain after stopping semaglutide, liraglutide, or tirzepatide. Conclusion: This review focuses on the complex phenomenon of rebound obesity that may develop upon GLP-1 RAs discontinuation, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies to manage weight regain. Potential approaches include gradual dose reduction, combination therapies, and lifestyle interventions to mitigate weight regain.https://www.gjphm.org/index.php/gjphm/article/view/336glp-1 receptor agonists, weight regain, rebound obesity, discontinuation, lifestyle interventions
spellingShingle Zainab M. Al-Shammaa
Heba M. Attash
Luma Al-Obaidy
REBOUND OBESITY AFTER GLP-1 AGONISTS DISCONTINUATION
Global Journal of Public Health Medicine
glp-1 receptor agonists, weight regain, rebound obesity, discontinuation, lifestyle interventions
title REBOUND OBESITY AFTER GLP-1 AGONISTS DISCONTINUATION
title_full REBOUND OBESITY AFTER GLP-1 AGONISTS DISCONTINUATION
title_fullStr REBOUND OBESITY AFTER GLP-1 AGONISTS DISCONTINUATION
title_full_unstemmed REBOUND OBESITY AFTER GLP-1 AGONISTS DISCONTINUATION
title_short REBOUND OBESITY AFTER GLP-1 AGONISTS DISCONTINUATION
title_sort rebound obesity after glp 1 agonists discontinuation
topic glp-1 receptor agonists, weight regain, rebound obesity, discontinuation, lifestyle interventions
url https://www.gjphm.org/index.php/gjphm/article/view/336
work_keys_str_mv AT zainabmalshammaa reboundobesityafterglp1agonistsdiscontinuation
AT hebamattash reboundobesityafterglp1agonistsdiscontinuation
AT lumaalobaidy reboundobesityafterglp1agonistsdiscontinuation