A new study has shed light on a potential strategy for individuals who have struggled to maintain weight loss after discontinuing GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy. Researchers found that introducing phentermine, an older appetite suppressant drug, after stopping GLP-1 treatment may help certain patients continue losing weight or prevent regaining pounds.
The study, presented at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE) annual meeting, involved 60 patients who had lost at least 5% of their body weight while on a GLP-1 drug. After discontinuing the GLP-1 medication, half of the participants were given phentermine, while the other half received a placebo.
Over the following 24 weeks, those taking phentermine experienced an average additional weight loss of nearly 4 pounds, while the placebo group regained an average of 7 pounds. Notably, the phentermine group saw better results among patients who had lost more weight initially on the GLP-1 drug.
Researchers suggest this phentermine “bridge” could be a useful strategy for some patients struggling to maintain weight loss momentum after stopping GLP-1 treatment due to costs, side effects or other factors. However, they caution that phentermine carries its own risks and may not be suitable for all individuals.
As the search for effective long-term weight management solutions continues, this study provides insights into potential combination approaches involving different medications to sustain weight loss over time.