What Happens When You Stop Taking Mounjaro®?
Key takeaways:
When you stop taking Mounjaro®, your appetite will slowly return to what it was before you started the medicine.
This can result in weight regain if you don’t stick with healthy habits.
A year after stopping Mounjaro®, some people regain about 14 percent of their body weight. But this isn’t inevitable.
To avoid weight regain, eat a balanced diet, exercise, get enough sleep, and consider self-monitoring your fitness.
Maybe you’re stopping Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) because you’ve hit your goal weight, you’ve unexpectedly become pregnant, or the medicine doesn’t agree with your body — in any case, it can feel scary.
What happens when you stop taking Mounjaro® for weight loss? The effects of the dual GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist will slowly wear off. So, your appetite will gradually return to what it was before you started the medication.
Read on for everything you need to know about stopping Mounjaro®, including the full effects, how to do it safely, and how to avoid weight regain.
What Happens When You Stop Taking Mounjaro® for Weight Loss?
When you stop taking Mounjaro®, your hunger levels will gradually increase to what they were pre-medication. You may also regain some weight if you don’t stick with lifestyle changes.
Here’s what happens when you stop Mounjaro®.
More Hunger
Mounjaro® suppresses your appetite and makes you feel fuller for longer.
As the medicine wears off, your hunger will slowly increase to what it was before you started taking it. You might find that meals don’t fill you up as much as when you were on the weight loss medication.
This won’t happen all at once, though. Mounjaro® has a half-life of about five days, so the effects will wear off gradually over a few weeks as the medicine leaves your system.
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More Food Cravings
Mounjaro® also reduces food cravings, especially for high-fat food, starchy carbs, and sweets.
Without it, urges to eat these foods might return or be harder to ignore. You may also become more susceptible to stress-eating again.
Some Weight Gain
With more hunger and cravings, it’s easier to eat more calories than your body needs, which can lead to weight gain over time.
A 2023 study looked at participants who had taken Mounjaro® for 36 weeks before stopping. A year after stopping, they had regained an average of 14 percent of their body weight.
Fewer Side Effects
If you’re stopping Mounjaro® because of side effects, rest assured that these should clear up soon after your last weekly injection.
Side effects — like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea — should gradually get better in a few days or weeks as Mounjaro® leaves your system.
Increased Blood Sugar
Mounjaro® is licensed in the United Kingdom for both type 2 diabetes and weight loss in those with overweight or obesity. If you’re taking it for type 2 diabetes, your blood sugar levels may rise after you stop the medicine.
Your GP (general practitioner) or prescribing clinician can tell you if you should take a different diabetes medicine, like Ozempic® (semaglutide) or metformin.
How to Stop Mounjaro® Safely
To stop Mounjaro® safely, start by letting your GP or private clinician know you’d like to stop taking the medication. They can tell you how to stop taking Mounjaro® in the safest way for you. This may include gradually reducing your dose until you stop altogether.
You don’t have to taper off Mounjaro® — there aren’t any withdrawal symptoms to worry about. Still, gradually coming off the medication can help reduce spikes in hunger and blood sugar. It gives you more time to adjust to a higher appetite, reducing the chances of weight regain.
If you’ve unexpectedly become pregnant, your clinician will probably tell you to stop Mounjaro® straight away. They may recommend a different diabetes medication if you need it.
Note: If you’re planning to get pregnant soon, you should stop taking Mounjaro® for at least a month before trying to conceive.
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Tips to Avoid Weight Regain After Stopping Mounjaro®
To avoid weight regain after stopping Mounjaro®, focus on the fundamentals of weight management: eating a balanced diet, doing more movement, getting enough sleep, and keeping stress levels low.
Here are specific tips to help:
Practice mindful eating. Become more aware of what and when you’re eating. Ask yourself if you’re really hungry or are reaching for food out of habit or to soothe stress. Eating more slowly can help you notice when you’re full and feel fuller, too.
Prioritise protein and fibre. Protein and fibre can keep you fuller for longer, making it easier to stick to a balanced diet. Choose lean protein sources like chicken, fish, and tofu. Get fibre from fruits, veggies, beans, and wholemeal pasta.
Move your body every day. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity a week, plus two strength training sessions. Beyond this, try to stand, walk, and move more during the day.
Self-monitor your weight or fitness. Keeping track can help you stay accountable to your new habits. Consider tracking your weight, waist circumference, strength in the gym, or daily step count.
The healthy lifestyle habits that helped you on your weight loss journey can help you maintain your new weight. Keep up any changes or support systems you found useful while on Mounjaro®.
What Happens When You Stop Taking Mounjaro®? Final Words
Stopping Mounjaro® can feel daunting, but there’s no evidence of withdrawal symptoms.
Here are the key points again on what to expect when you stop Mounjaro®:
Your hunger increases. Hunger, cravings, and fullness will return to what they were before you started Mounjaro®. This won’t happen straight away, but gradually over a few days to weeks as Mounjaro® leaves your system.
Weight regain is common. Stick to healthy habits to avoid gaining weight back — particularly things that regulate your appetite, like eating protein and fibre and eating slowly.
Let your GP or private provider know your plans. They can tell you if it’s best to taper off Mounjaro® and how to do this. They can also recommend alternative medicines if needed.
One important point: Depending on why you’re stopping, you might not need to stop Mounjaro®. If you’ve hit your weight loss goals, you can continue taking Mounjaro® long-term to maintain your weight. Again, your GP or clinician can advise you here.
Learn more about your weight loss treatment options with Hers, including weight loss injections like Mounjaro®.
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FAQs
See answers to common questions about what happens when you stop taking Mounjaro®.
Do you get withdrawal symptoms when you stop Mounjaro®?
No, you don’t get withdrawal symptoms when you stop Mounjaro®. But you might experience an increase in hunger and food cravings as your appetite returns to pre-medication levels. Let your GP or clinician know you’d like to stop Mounjaro®. They can tell you the best way to do it.
Do you gain weight when you stop Mounjaro®?
You could gain weight when you stop Mounjaro®. Your appetite will gradually return to what it was before you started the medicine, and this can lead to weight gain if you don’t keep with lifestyle adjustments. On average, people regain 14 percent of their body weight a year after stopping Mounjaro®.
Can you keep weight off after stopping Mounjaro®?
Yes, you can keep weight off after stopping Mounjaro®. You can maintain your new healthy weight by eating a balanced diet, doing plenty of movement, getting enough sleep, keeping stress levels low, and self-monitoring your weight and health to stay on track.
Do you have to wean off Mounjaro®?
You don’t have to wean off Mounjaro®. There aren’t any withdrawal symptoms, so you can stop cold turkey. However, your GP or private clinician may recommend slowly weaning off Mounjaro® to reduce spikes in hunger and blood sugar and lower the chances of weight regain.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your GP about the risks and benefits of any treatment.