People who stop using the weight-loss injection Mounjaro (tirzepatide) tend not only to regain weight but also lose key health benefits, including improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, according to new research.
Data from the Surmount-4 clinical trial showed that among participants who lost at least 10% of their body weight, 82% regained at least a quarter of that weight within a year of stopping the drug. Those who regained the most weight also saw their cardiometabolic health markers return to, or close to, their pre-treatment levels.
Experts say the findings are expected, as excess weight is closely linked to high blood pressure, poor cholesterol, and glucose problems. Researchers argue the results highlight the importance of long-term weight management, whether through sustained lifestyle changes, medication, or both.
Some specialists warn that weight-loss drugs don’t always build lasting eating and exercise habits, making rebound weight gain more likely once treatment stops. Separate research also suggests stopping these drugs before or during early pregnancy may be linked to higher risks of complications, though experts caution that more evidence is needed to confirm cause and effect.
