More than half of patients who stop weight-loss drugs restart within a year

Researchers found that people taking newer medications, such as tirzepatide, were 41% less likely to discontinue than those taking older drugs, such as liraglutide.

Close up on weight-loss pen — Researchers looked at data from 60,000 patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus, who had taken liraglutide, semaglutide or tirzepatide between 2019 and 2025

Researchers have found that more than half of patients who stop taking GLP-1 inhibitors restart within one year, while nearly two-thirds restart within two years.

The findings were presented at ENDO 2026 — an annual conference held by the Endocrine Society — on 14 June 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.

Researchers looked at insurance claims from 60,000 US patients, aged 18–64 years with type 2 diabetes mellitus, who had taken liraglutide, semaglutide or tirzepatide between 2019 and 2025.

They found that around 40% of patients had stopped their GLP-1 medication within the first year, and almost 60% had stopped by the end of two years.

Discontinuation was defined as having a more than 60-day gap between GLP-1 prescriptions.

The researchers also found that 42% of patients had restarted therapy within one year, while 58% had restarted within two years.

Lead author Sainikhil Sontha, a research associate at Boston University School of Public Health, said: “This suggests that for many patients, these medications aren’t being abandoned permanently; use is more start-and-stop than most people assumed.”

They also reported that patients taking newer medications, such as tirzepatide, were 41% less likely to discontinue than those taking older drugs, such as liraglutide.

Semaglutide users were 28% less likely to discontinue compared with older medications.

“This research matters because consistent use of these medications is what produces their protective effects,” Sontha said.

“Stopping early may mean missed opportunities to prevent heart attacks, kidney disease progression and other complications.”

Sehar Shahid, National Pharmacy Association board member for Scotland, said: “This research highlights the importance of understanding obesity as a chronic relapsing disease. Any chronic disease requires long-term interventions and treatment.

“Losing weight is one part of the journey, maintenance is the most important for long-term health and longevity. Patients gain the weight back after treatment, not because the medications don’t work but because the approach isn’t always right by stopping — the approach needs to be long term.”