Weight-Loss Medication Effects Are Temporary, Study Finds

A large study has found that the benefits of weight-loss medications disappear within two years if patients stop taking them.

Researchers looked at data from 9,341 overweight or obese patients across 37 studies. These patients had used 18 different weight-loss drugs. The study found that after stopping the medications, people regained weight at an average rate of about one pound (0.4 kg) per month.

Based on this trend, most patients are expected to return to their original weight within 1.7 years of stopping the drugs. This shows that the effects of weight-loss medications are mostly temporary unless patients continue treatment or maintain lifestyle changes.