Trending Now - Discontinuing GLP-1 Medications May Elevate Heart Risk and Mental Health Issues

WHO:

Dr. Markku Lähteenvuo, research director at the University of Eastern Finland

Prof. David Nutt, head of the neuropsychopharmacology unit at Imperial College London

Prof. Eduard Vieta, professor of psychiatry at the University of Barcelona

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst

Dr. Hamlet Gasoyan, lead study author from Cleveland Clinic

Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, clinical epidemiologist at Washington University School of Medicine

Dr. Melanie Jay, director of NYU Langone’s Comprehensive Program on Obesity

More than 333,000 patients with type 2 diabetes treated through the Veterans Health Administration

WHAT:

Semaglutide was associated with a 42% lower risk of worsening mental health, while liraglutide was linked to an 18% lower risk.

Semaglutide was associated with a 44% lower risk of worsening depression, a 38% lower risk of worsening anxiety, and a 47% lower risk of worsening substance use disorder.

A study found that women taking semaglutide for diabetes before they knew they were pregnant had an 84% higher relative risk of preterm birth compared to those who did not take GLP-1 medication, while the risk was 70% higher with liraglutide.

The study found that patients who maintained their weight after stopping GLP-1 medications tended to remain engaged with the healthcare system through alternative prescriptions or structured lifestyle support.

An estimated 14% of patients transitioned to intensive lifestyle modification programs, working closely with dietitians and exercise specialists.

Dr. Hamlet Gasoyan stated, "Our real-world data show that many patients who stop semaglutide or tirzepatide restart the medication or transition to another obesity treatment, which may explain why they regain less weight than patients in randomized trials."

The study authors noted that patient characteristics and healthcare delivery patterns vary across the U.S., which may limit the generalizability of their findings.

The study found that quitting GLP-1s for as little as six months raised the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death by 4% compared to continued use.

A two-year gap in treatment increased the risk to 22% compared with sustained use.

Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly stated, "It takes years to build cardiovascular protection, and takes half as much to undo that," referring to the rapid loss of benefits after discontinuation.

A study from Cleveland Clinic published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism examined the effects of stopping GLP-1 medications.

The study involved nearly 8,000 adults who used semaglutide or tirzepatide for three to 12 months before stopping.

Patients treated for obesity lost an average of 8.4% of their weight before stopping and regained just 0.5% on average one year later.

An estimated 27% of patients transitioned to different medications, 20% restarted their original medication, and 14% transitioned to lifestyle modification programs.

Heart risks for patients who stopped GLP-1 medications increased by 4% at six months, 14% at one year, and 22% at two years after discontinuation.

Patients who took GLP-1s for an average of three years had an 18% lower risk of heart attacks, strokes, or death compared to those on sulfonylureas.

WHERE:

The study was conducted in Ohio and Florida.

The medical records analyzed were from the Veterans Health Administration.

WHEN:

The study was published on March 15th, 2026, in the journal BMJ Medicine.

The heart risks began to return as soon as six months after stopping the medication and were almost completely erased by one and a half years after stopping.

WHY:

The authors concluded that semaglutide and liraglutide might be useful dually effective therapeutic options for anxiety and depression that co-occur with diabetes and obesity.

The study underscores the need to maintain treatment with GLP-1 medications to continue to see their cardiovascular benefits, as stopping the medication leads to a rapid loss of those benefits.

The study highlights high discontinuation rates for GLP-1s, which can run as high as 36% to 81%, driven by issues such as trouble accessing the drugs and side effects like nausea and vomiting.

The study suggests that the rebound effect seen in clinical trials may be due to patients being left without alternative support after stopping the medication.

Many people discontinue GLP-1 medications due to side effects like nausea and fatigue, and cost issues.

HOW:

The research examined Swedish health records of almost 95,000 people with a diagnosis of depression or anxiety who were also taking various diabetes medications between 2009 and 2022.

The research utilized electronic health records to follow more than 333,000 adults with diabetes over three years, focusing on those primarily taking Novo Nordisk's diabetes injection Ozempic.

The study analyzed medical records of more than 333,000 patients, comparing those prescribed GLP-1 medications to those on sulfonylureas.

The researchers looked at "real-world" outcomes rather than tightly controlled clinical trials.

(UPDATED March 19, 2026 15:14 UTC)

A recent study led by Dr. Markku Lähteenvuo and colleagues found that semaglutide is associated with a 42% lower risk of worsening mental health, while liraglutide shows an 18% lower risk. Specifically, semaglutide was linked to a 44% lower risk of worsening depression and a 38% lower risk of worsening anxiety, although it also indicated an increased risk of preterm birth among women who took it during early pregnancy. The research, which analyzed Swedish health records of nearly 95,000 individuals with depression or anxiety who were on diabetes medications from 2009 to 2022, suggests that these medications could serve as effective therapeutic options for managing mental health issues alongside diabetes and obesity.

(UPDATED March 19, 2026 13:24 UTC)

A new study has revealed that patients who successfully maintain their weight after stopping GLP-1 medications, like semaglutide or tirzepatide, often stay engaged with the healthcare system through alternative prescriptions or structured lifestyle support. About 14% of these patients transitioned to intensive lifestyle modification programs, working closely with dietitians and exercise specialists, which may help explain why they regain less weight compared to those in randomized trials. The research, which followed over 333,000 adults with diabetes using electronic health records, highlights the importance of continuing treatment with GLP-1 medications to preserve their cardiovascular benefits.

(UPDATED March 19, 2026 01:26 UTC)

A new study has revealed that stopping GLP-1 medications, like Novo Nordisk's Ozempic, for just six months can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death by four percent, while a two-year gap raises that risk to 22%. Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly emphasized that it takes years to build cardiovascular protection but only half that time to lose it after discontinuation, highlighting the dangers of high discontinuation rates, which can range from 36% to 81% due to issues like access and side effects. The research followed over 333,000 adults with diabetes using electronic health records over three years to assess the impact of these treatments.

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 19:26 UTC)

A recent study from the Cleveland Clinic, published on March 15 in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, examined the effects of stopping GLP-1 medications among nearly 8,000 adults who had been using semaglutide or tirzepatide for three to twelve months. The findings revealed that while patients treated for obesity initially lost an average of 8.4% of their weight, they experienced an increase in heart risks after discontinuation, with risks rising by 22% two years later. The study, which analyzed medical records from over 333,000 patients through the Veterans Health Administration, suggests that many individuals discontinue these medications due to side effects and cost issues, often without alternative support.