I stopped taking Mounjaro — will I gain the weight back?

If you've been on a weight loss journey, you know the effort it takes — making lifestyle changes, eating a balanced diet, accessing medications if you need them, and getting the right support — it's all part of the process.

If weight loss medications like Mounjaro have been part of your treatment plan, it's normal to wonder what will happen if you stop taking them. Will it cause weight gain all over again? Will you be back at square one? And what's the best way to maintain the weight loss you've worked so hard for?

Let's stop the overthinking in its tracks, and get down to it — below is some information on what it might look like if you stop taking Mounjaro.

How long should you take Mounjaro?

Let's recap for anyone new here: Mounjaro (or tirzepatide) is a weight loss medication that works by regulating your appetite, and slowing down how quickly food is digested. This means you feel fuller for longer and your food intake is reduced.

It can also help to lower blood sugar levels and regulate insulin, especially in people with type 2 diabetes [1].

Originally developed as a treatment for diabetes, Mounjaro is now approved in the UK to treat obesity or weight-related health conditions [2]. It's taken as a once-weekly injection underneath the skin, and studies have shown that it's very effective for weight management [1].

So how long should someone be taking tirzepatide or Mounjaro? Well, studies on how weight loss drugs work suggest that Mounjaro should be viewed as a long-term treatment option.

We know that weight gain, becoming overweight, or developing obesity are all complex health conditions. There can be physical, psychological, and even social factors that lead to someone needing weight loss support [3][4].

Because of this, scientists say it can be a bit like treating a chronic disease such as arthritis — if the meds are working, you don't quit them.

To manage body weight effectively, most people need to stay on their medications for months — so that they can keep weight off or on track, and look after their health [3] [4].

Do you gain weight back after stopping Mounjaro?

As we've mentioned, clinical trials have shown that Mounjaro is effective as a weight-loss drug. One study followed patients taking Mounjaro for 36 weeks (around 9 months). During this time they reportedly lost an average of 20.9% of their body weight [3].

The study then followed the same patients for around another year, dividing them into 2 groups who took either Mounjaro or a placebo.

People who stayed on Mounjaro lost an additional 5.5% of their body weight. Those who were switched to the placebo experienced weight regain of about 14% [3].

In real life, these decisions aren't as simple as being handed a placebo or not. Some people might stop Mounjaro because of adverse side effects [1], affordability, or medications being in short supply in their area.

But the research is pretty clear — stopping Mounjaro can make people regain the weight they've lost while taking the medication. Therefore, weight loss drugs aren't recommended for people trying to achieve short-term weight loss goals [6].

What causes weight regain when stopping Mounjaro?

In the UK, it's estimated that around 25.9% of adults are living with obesity, while another 37.9% are overweight [5].

People gain weight for a lot of complex reasons — habits inherited from our families, genetics, medical conditions or certain medications, our environment (including food availability and how much money we make), and many more [7].

These causes of weight gain don't simply disappear when people start taking weight loss or anti-obesity medications. So, it makes sense that if someone stops Mounjaro without addressing some of these other reasons for weight gain, they're more likely to regain weight [3].

After you stop Mounjaro, your hunger levels can return to their original levels pretty quickly — because the medication isn't working to target your appetite anymore. With food cravings kicking back in and hunger increasing, you're likely to start eating more [3][4].

However, this doesn't mean you'll return to your original weight. A recent study showed that though people who stopped their Mounjaro ended up regaining weight, they usually stayed about 9.5% below their baseline body weight [8].

In terms of overall health, after you stop taking Mounjaro, a few things can be affected. Some of the health benefits of the drug can be lost when you stop the medication.

Blood sugar levels can increase or be harder to keep stable, especially in people with type 2 diabetes. If you were dealing with high blood pressure before starting the medication, your blood pressure might spike again when you stop taking Mounjaro [9].

Finally, there's evidence to suggest that stopping Mounjaro can also affect your mood. For some people, ceasing the medication might actually improve their mood — if they were experiencing negative mood changes as a side effect [10].

For others, stopping a medication that's helping them lose weight might lead to worse mental health.

Weight regain can affect confidence and self-esteem, and food cravings intensifying can cause anxiety. Research also shows that unstable blood sugar can cause mood changes, which can be more noticeable without Mounjaro helping to regulate things [10].

How to safely stop taking Mounjaro

Some people decide to stop taking weight loss drugs due to side effects, or because they haven't lost weight (at least, not as much as they were expecting).

If you're noticing side effects of Mounjaro (like nausea, stomach pain, bowel problems, or other side effects) aren't settling, it could be time to consider other options [7].

Whatever your reasons are, you shouldn't stop taking Mounjaro (or any of your medications) suddenly. It's very important to speak to your doctor or healthcare provider first, so they can answer questions and recommend the best approach for you.

For some people, this might look like stopping medication altogether if they choose to. For others, your care team might help you consider other medications instead of Mounjaro.

If you're confused about what to do, or just need some extra support, we're here to help.

Juniper's Weight Loss Programme includes access to our expert medical team, health coaches, and dietitians. We offer a holistic approach to weight loss treatment and are always available to help you explore your options.

Our programme helps you understand your unique nutritional and physical needs while taking weight loss medication (if eligible) — so you can build healthy habits that last.

Through the programme, you'll fuel weight loss with food, burn fat more efficiently, and build strength for life, while increasing your mobility, stability, and muscle mass. So, when you stop the medication, you're in a good spot to continue your weight loss long-term as you've already made important lifestyle and behavioural changes.

Lifestyle tips for maintaining weight loss

If you're stopping Mounjaro or another weight loss medication, there are some tips and tricks you can use to minimise weight regain. Remember, it's important to lose weight in a healthy, sustainable way.

Diet changes to consider

To lose weight, we should only consume enough food to meet our daily energy needs. Snacking or consuming more calories/energy than we burn is a risk factor for obesity [12]. To maintain a healthy diet, you should:

• Try to eat a balanced diet that includes all 5 food groups (fruit, whole grains, different coloured vegetables, lean meats and protein, and reduced-fat dairy products)
• Reduce your intake of foods that are high in salt and saturated fat
• Stay hydrated — drink plenty of water throughout the day
• Cut down your alcohol intake
• Eat regularly, making sure you eat breakfast
• Consume healthy snacks
• Maintain smaller portion sizes
• Eat enough fibre to help you feel full
• Eat a variety of different foods to reduce boredom and cravings [12]

Exercise and other lifestyle changes

The other way to keep weight off is by making sure you get enough exercise. This doesn't mean you have to be an overnight tennis sensation or take up rowing if you hate it — pick something that fits into your lifestyle (that you hopefully enjoy).

The recommendation for adults is that they exercise on most days of the week, and do a combination of moderate to vigorous physical activity where possible.

This could be a brisk walk, swimming laps, or doing a YouTube aerobics class in the lounge room. Whatever works for you [12].

An easy way to start getting more exercise is to think about small ways you can switch things up — like getting off the bus a stop earlier and walking to your destination, taking the stairs, or making sure you don't spend a whole day sitting down [12].

Our last load of tips? Think about the small stuff, like:

• Avoiding takeaway food, or choosing the healthiest option you can if getting takeout
• Make your own healthy snacks instead of buying processed ones
• Getting enough sleep — this can help you deal with cravings and stay motivated to exercise
• Figuring out your triggers for overeating — are there particular times of day that are harder? Social media comparisons? Stress? See if you can identify them and find other ways of coping. If in doubt, reach out for support from your healthcare provider.
• Not being too harsh or strict with yourself — an indulgence now and then is more likely to help you meet your goals than beating yourself up. Moderation is the key! [12]

If you're on the way to stopping Mounjaro, or just considering the possibilities, there are different options to suit everyone. Just make sure you don't go it alone — support is always available.