Whatever your reasoning, deciding to stop taking Mounjaro for weight loss can raise important questions about what comes next.
Like with any medication, discontinuing Mounjaro may come with side effects. Understanding these potential effects and how they might impact your ongoing weight management efforts is crucial for making an informed decision and planning your next steps.
Whether you’re considering discontinuation or have already stopped, it’s essential to know how it may impact your progress and what steps you can take to maintain your results.
Can you stop taking Mounjaro for weight loss?
The short answer is yes, you can stop taking Mounjaro for weight loss. However, the reality is more nuanced than a simple yes or no.
Mounjaro for weight loss is designed as a long-term treatment , not a temporary solution. This is not a cure for obesity, but a treatment and it was intended to be used long-term.
Even if you’ve achieved a weight that both you and your healthcare provider are satisfied with, discontinuing Mounjaro is generally not recommended. Your highest dose is called a “maintenance dose” for a reason.
It is meant to maintain the weight loss you’ve achieved while on the medication.
That said, there are many valid reasons why someone might choose—or need—to stop taking Mounjaro.
NOTE: If you’re considering stopping the weight loss drug Mounjaro, it’s crucial to discuss your options with your healthcare provider to ensure a safe and effective transition.
Common reasons for stopping the weight loss drug Mounjaro
Though it’s meant to be taken long-term, there are many reasons that might lead to someone discontinuing Mounjaro. Some of the more common include:
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- Mounjaro side effects. Like any medication, Mounjaro can come with side effects that range from bothersome or intolerable. In some cases, these side effects may become severe or persistent, making it necessary to discontinue use.
- Reaching goal weight. Once an individual has achieved a weight that aligns with health goals and healthcare provider recommendations, they may want to stop taking the medication.
- Financial or accessibility issues. Mounjaro can be expensive and due to demand, it can sometimes be difficult to obtain. This may lead individuals to choosing Mounjaro alternatives and stopping use.
- Health concerns. Underlying health issues, new medical conditions, and potential interactions with necessary medications may necessitate a need to discontinue Mounjaro for weight loss.
How to safely stop Mounjaro for weight loss
Whatever your reasoning for wanting to stop Mounjaro for weight loss, there is a right way and a wrong way. The right way to discontinue the medication involves careful planning and professional guidance.
- Consulting Your Healthcare Provider. First and foremost, always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your medication regimen. This is not a wishlist item, it’s a must have. They can help you understand the best way to discontinue use and make the transition safe and smooth.
- Tapering Off the Medication. It is generally recommended that you taper off any medication as opposed to stopping cold turkey. If your healthcare provider recommends it, tapering off Mounjaro gradually may help minimize potential side effects and avoid sudden weight regain.
- Adapting Your Lifestyle. Transitioning off Mounjaro also means focusing on maintaining the lifestyle changes that contributed to your weight loss success. If you didn’t make any, now is the time to start. Building these habits before discontinuation can help you maintain your results longer.
- Meeting with a Nutritionist. This is an optional route. But, working with a nutritionist can be beneficial. A nutritionist can help you develop a balanced and sustainable eating plan that supports weight maintenance and overall health after stopping Mounjaro.
What happens after you stop taking Mounjaro for weight loss?
The effects of discontinuing Mounjaro will depend on your reasons for stopping.. Are you:
- Discontinuing all weight loss medications. If you’ve decided to stop taking Mounjaro and are not considering Mounjaro alternatives, the transition can involve several adjustments. After discontinuation, you may experience changes in appetite and weight fluctuations as your body adapts.
- Considering Mounjaro alternatives. If you’re exploring Mounjaro alternatives, you may require a period of adjustment as you make the transition to a new medication. Your healthcare provider can help you navigate this transition, ensuring that you find an alternative that suits your needs and goals.
Discontinuing weight loss medications
The main reason people choose to stop using weight loss meds like Moujaro? They’ve reached their goal weight or feel they’ve lost enough they don’t need to stay on the medication.
What most don’t realize, though, is that this medication is meant for long-term maintenance. BBC recently interviewed several healthcare professionals about the impact of discontinuing weight loss medications. This included Domenica Rubino, director of the Washington Centre for Weight Management and Research, who said:
“Obesity is not like an infection where you take antibiotics and you’re done. It’s not any different than hypertension or diabetes or the many other chronic illnesses that we deal with, where you have to use chronic medication.”
Once you stop taking the medication, you stop reaping the benefits. Notably, you rebound and regain much of the weight you managed to lose.
The SURMOUNT-4 study, sponsored by Eli Lilly, found that the majority of individuals who discontinue use can expect to rebound.
The study included a 36-week period where all participants were prescribed tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro. At the 36-week mark, participants were split into two groups: one continued to receive the medication, the other received a placebo. This went on for another 52 weeks.
Patients lost an average 20% of their body weight during the initial 36-week period. During the following 52 weeks:
- Tirzepatide. 90% of the control group maintained the majority (80%+) of their weight loss over 88 weeks.
- Placebo. Only 16.6% of the placebo group maintained their weight loss and most regained 14% of their body weight.
Medical professionals have not pinpointed the exact reason for rebounding, but there are many valid theories.
The medication reduces appetite, but only while on the medication. The medications also deliver more of the hormones (GLP-1 and GIP) than the body naturally produces, which can temporarily stunt the body’s ability to secret them naturally.
By stopping the medication, your appetite will return—and it may even temporarily increase while the body adjusts.
How to maintain Mounjaro weight loss results after discontinuation
Some weight gain will be inevitable. It is unlikely you will manage to keep all of the weight off. But, it is possible to stop yourself from fully rebounding.
It is absolutely critical that you make sustainable lifestyle changes before you discontinue use.
- Eat a balanced diet. A nutritious, balanced diet can help to limit the amount of weight you regain. Try using the plate method, or MyPlate.
- Exercise regularly. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that adults engage in 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, complemented by muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days of the week.
- Manage stress. Prolonged stress can increase your natural cortisol levels. Cortisol can slow your metabolism and make it more difficult for your body to use insulin. This can make it difficult to lose weight while on Mounjaro for weight loss, even more so off it.
Discontinue Mounjaro for weight loss the RIGHT way
If you’re planning to stop Mounjaro—whether you’re switching to Mounjaro alternatives or stopping altogether—you need to consult a healthcare provider. This ensures a smooth, safe transition.
