What happens when you stop weight loss injections?

Reviewed by Dr Bhavini Shah & Sheena Bagga

Weight loss treatments, used by over a million UK residents to achieve weight goals, are becoming increasingly popular and more widely spoken about. As usage grows, a pressing question emerges: what happens when you stop taking the treatments?

In this article, you'll learn:

• What happens when you stop weight loss treatments, including why appetite often returns and how this can lead to weight regain if healthy habits aren’t maintained.
• Why stopping safely matters, and how tapering off under medical guidance can reduce risks like rapid weight gain and blood sugar spikes.
• How to maintain your results long-term through sustainable habits such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, and strategies to manage emotional eating.

What are weight loss injections and how do they work?

Weight loss injections are prescription medicines that help you lose weight by mimicking natural hormones. This suppresses appetite, regulates blood sugar, and slows how quickly food leaves your stomach. If you’ve been prescribed medicated weight loss, it’s important to make healthy lifestyle changes too, like improving your diet and exercising more. For example, an improved diet and more exercise. At LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, options include Mounjaro® and Wegovy® - weekly injections you can administer under the skin of your stomach, thighs or upper arms. Find out more about how to use weight loss injections here.

Why do people stop taking medicated weight loss treatment?

After some time on the treatment, you might consider stopping weight loss medications for several reasons. For example:

• You might struggle with side effects: If you're finding side effects difficult, ask your prescriber for advice. Read about Mounjaro's side effects and Wegovy's side effects and how to manage them
• The cost involved: A lot of people taking weight loss treatment will be paying for them each month
  You might be able to get Wegovy® for free on the NHS - your BMI must be at least 35, or 30 if you meet the criteria for specialist weight management services
• You might not see results: Although most people can expect to lose some weight with weight loss treatment,, it doesn’t work for everyone. Talk to your doctor about alternatives if you want to try something else (if you’re a LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor patient, you can message us in your account)

How long can you stay on weight loss injections?

NHS guidance states that Semaglutide (Wegovy) can be prescribed for obesity for a maximum of two years. After the initial six months, treatment will only continue if the patient has lost at least 5% of their body weight. 

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) has no specified time limit, according to NHS guidance, and the decision to continue or stop taking it should be discussed with an appropriate healthcare professional, but after the initial six months of treatment, it will only continue if, again, the patient has lost at least 5% of their body weight. 

With that in mind, yes, some patients can stay on weight loss medication for life (subject to clinician review), but you do not have to.

Dr Bhavini Shah says: “The NHS emphasises that weight-loss medications should be used alongside lifestyle interventions, including a balanced, reduced-calorie diet, and regular physical activity. While you don’t have to be on these medications for life, they are not intended for short-term use, and should be used as part of a comprehensive weight management plan.”

What to expect when you stop using weight loss medications

When discontinuing GLP-1 weight-loss medications such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, you will likely notice that your appetite returns in full within a week or so. Because of this, many people put weight back on. 

Other side effects can include:

• Increased appetite
• Increased cravings
• Weight regain
• Change in sense of taste and taste sensitivity
• Mood changes
• Insulin / blood sugar spikes
• GI side effects, like nausea and diarrhoea

This is because the medications work by mimicking the hormones that promote satiety (for Mounjaro, this is the active ingredient Tirzepatide, and for Wegovy, it is Semaglutide). Once you stop taking the medication, these hormone levels will return to what is normal for your body, and you will start feeling hungry again.

To combat this, recognise that weight loss medications are not supposed to be a quick fix. During your time on the treatment, if you’ve managed to make some healthy lifestyle changes too, it will be far easier to keep the weight off.

After some weight loss, it might be easier to exercise, so it’s worth making it part of your new routine if you stop treatment.

Dr Bhavini Shah explains: 

“When you stop taking weight-loss medications, several physiological and psychological changes can occur, especially if lifestyle modifications aren’t maintained. 

“Often, we’ll see patients report increased appetite and hunger within the first one to two weeks after stopping the medication, and as such, we will see individuals regain some of the weight that was lost. Some studies have reported that participants regain about two-thirds of the weight they lost within a year after stopping weight loss medication. 

“As weight loss medication also aids in controlling blood sugar levels, discontinuation may cause these to increase, particularly in individuals with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes, potentially raising the risk of blood sugar spikes.”

Rachel Megahy, a Senior Clinical Psychologist, adds: “Emotional eating is one of the strongest predictors of weight regain. As appetite returns, food can once again become a coping mechanism for stress, loneliness, boredom, or low mood. Without tools to manage emotions directly, old habits can re-emerge. 

“A simple technique to distinguish between real hunger and emotional cravings once your appetite returns is the ‘pause and check’ method. Ask yourself whether the sensation of hunger is felt in the body (stomach growling, low energy, light-headedness) or in the mind (a sudden craving for specific comfort foods). Physical hunger tends to build gradually, while emotional cravings are often urgent and situation-triggered. 

“Pausing for five minutes and noticing whether the urge passes can also help: emotional cravings often fade, whereas physical hunger does not.”

How to stop weight loss medications safely

According to our survey of 1,000 Brits, 15% believe it’s safe to suddenly stop weight loss injections, without tapering off.  

Nearly two-thirds (63%) believe that GPs should provide a structured exit plan for people stopping weight loss medications, and 61% believe that ongoing support from a GP or specialist would be most helpful. 

The most helpful actions to support someone coming off weight loss medication

1. A step-by-step guide (63%)
2. Ongoing support from a GP or specialist (61%)
3. Advice from a nutritionist (42%)
4. Mental health or emotional support (29%)
5. Community or peer support (14%)

If you have been using weight loss medication as part of your weight management plan and are considering discontinuing the medication, it’s essential to do so thoughtfully to maintain the progress you’ve achieved. 

Dr Bhavini Shah and Rachel Megahy explain step by step how to taper off weight loss medication safely:

1. Consult with your GP

Before making any changes to your medication plan, you must consult with your GP. They will be able to assess your individual situation and provide personalised advice on the best approach to tapering off weight loss medication. 

If you have an account with LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, you can also contact clinicians for advice by using the message feature in your patient account.

2. Gradual dose reduction

Some patients can consider gradual dose reduction to help prevent a rapid return of appetite and potential weight regain. Instead, following consultation with your GP, a gradual reduction in dosage allows your body to adjust more comfortably.

3. Monitor your body's response

As you reduce your weight loss medication dosage, closely monitor your body’s response by keeping track of:

• Weight: Studies have suggested that weight regain occurs when ending weight loss medication.
• HbA1c / fasting glucose: Especially critical in diabetic or prediabetic patients
• Appetite patterns: Increased hunger is your body readjusting to lower GLP-1 levels

Regular follow-up appointments with your GP are necessary to assess your progress and make any required adjustments to the tapering plan.

4. Maintain healthy lifestyle habits

A medicated weight loss journey works best when it’s combined with healthy habits, such as eating a balanced diet rich in whole foods, engaging in regular physical activity, and ensuring you get enough sleep. When discontinuing weight loss medication, it’s important to continue these healthy habits to limit the chance of weight regain. 

Rachel Megahy explains: “On average, research suggests 2-3 months of consistent practice is needed to embed a habit, but more complex behaviours may take longer. The key is persistence and consistency, not perfection - slip-ups don’t reset the process and forgiving small lapses is much more helpful for getting back on track and avoiding a negative thought cycle which increases the chance of emotional eating.”

5. Consider bridging therapies if needed

Rachel Megahy recommends some psychological tools and techniques to help manage increased hunger and cravings:

“Delaying eating for 10 minutes when a craving hits often reduces its intensity. Mindful eating (bringing attention to the experience of food), urge-surfing (noticing urges without acting on them), and cognitive reframing to challenge catastrophic thoughts about regain are all helpful tools. 

“Behavioural strategies, such as planning balanced meals in advance, incorporating regular protein-rich snacks, and maintaining a consistent daily eating routine, play a key role in regulating appetite and supporting long-term weight stability. By reducing large fluctuations in hunger levels, these strategies help blunt intense physiological hunger signals that can drive overeating. 

“They also make eating patterns more predictable, which decreases the likelihood of impulsive or emotionally-driven food choices and supports more deliberate, goal-aligned decisions around food.”

How long before weight loss injections leave your system?

The effects from most weight loss medications begin to fade within a week after the final dose. The medications themselves can stay in the body longer, though effectiveness gradually decreases over that period. 

General MWL treatment timeline

• Around 5-7 days after the last dose: roughly half of the medication has cleared your system (one half-life for most GLP-1s). For semaglutide, this takes 7 days, and for tirzepatide this is 5 days. 
• After 5-7 days: appetite-suppression noticeably declines
• Over the next several weeks: levels continue to drop as the medication moves through additional half-lives
• By 4-5 weeks: Most of the drug is functionally cleared from your system

For Wegovy specifically, it may remain in the system for up to five weeks after the last injection, even as its appetite-reducing effects decline much sooner. 

Is it safe to stop these treatments abruptly?

According to our survey of 1,000 Brits, 15% believe it’s safe to suddenly stop weight loss injections, without tapering off. In reality, it is possible to stop the medication at any time, but reducing use gradually may make the return of appetite smoother and help prevent weight regain. Stopping abrptly can lead to a rapid return of appetite and weight.

Sudden discontinuation of weight loss treatment may:

• Trigger rapid appetite rebound, causing a sharp increase in hunger and making it harder to maintain weight loss
• Lead to weight gain, as research shows abrupt stopping often correlates with faster weight regain.
• Cause blood sugar, insulin sensitivity, and other metabolic markers to shift more abruptly, particularly in patients with diabetes
• Affect emotional wellbeing as rapid changes in appetite and weight can trigger stress, frustration, or emotional eating

Even if a medication remains in your system for several weeks, like Wegovy, your body’s appetite response changes sooner. Thoughtful tapering and ongoing support from a GP or specialist help reduce physical and emotional risks when stopping treatment. 

How to avoid regaining the weight

Once you’ve successfully tapered off your weight loss medication, the next step is transitioning to a maintenance phase. This phase focuses on sustaining your progress and preventing weight regain, without relying on medication. Expert nutritionist Vinny Kodamala explains how to safely transition.

1. Establish a long-term lifestyle routine

Medication can help jumpstart weight loss, but lasting results come from consistent, sustainable habits:

• Balanced diet: Prioritise protein, fibre, and nutrient-rich foods to feel full and satisfied
• Regular physical activity: Combine strength training and cardio for metabolism support and appetite regulation
• Sleep and stress management: Adequate rest and stress reduction reduce hunger-driven eating and support metabolic health

2. Monitor your progress

Even after stopping medication, tracking key indicators helps catch early signs of weight regain:

• Body weight and measurements: Track weekly or biweekly to notice gradual changes
• Appetite cues: Keep a food or hunger journal to identify triggers for overeating

Early awareness allows you to adjust lifestyle strategies before small changes become larger setbacks.

3. Set realistic goals and expectations

Transitioning to maintenance is about sustainable results, not perfection:

• Expect minor fluctuations; occasional gains are normal
• Focus on overall trends rather than day-to-day changes
• Celebrate non-scale victories, such as improved fitness, energy, or confidence

Rachel Megahy adds that it’s important to avoid falling into the “all or nothing” mindset:

“Adopt the ‘one meal doesn’t undo progress’ rule. Remind yourself that consistency matters more than perfection. Using flexible thinking, such as ‘I had a tough day, but tomorrow I can reset’ helps to prevent spirals.

“Practise self-compassion and flexibility. People who can recover from setbacks without spiralling are more likely to sustain changes long-term than those who strive for rigid perfection. People who treat slip-ups as learning opportunities rather than failures are far more likely to maintain healthy behaviours over time.”

4. Use tools and strategies to prevent regain

To maintain your progress, try:

• Meal planning and preparation to prevent impulsive eating
• Mindful eating techniques to improve awareness of hunger and fullness
• Regular exercise routines to maintain lean body mass and metabolism
• Periodic self-assessment to review goals and habits, making adjustments as needed

Vinny Kodamala says: “Transitioning to maintenance is not just stopping medication - it’s about creating a sustainable lifestyle and monitoring plan. With structured habits, support, and awareness of potential challenges, you can keep your weight loss off long-term and enjoy lasting health benefits.”

Switching weight loss treatments

Thinking about changing your weight loss treatment instead of stopping? Switching treatments can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Before you make the move, it’s important to understand how the process works and what steps you need to take to do it safely. Our clinicians are here to guide you through every stage, so you can switch with confidence.

Methodology

The medicated weight loss survey consisted of 1,000 UK respondents (September 2025).