Have you reached your weight loss goals and want to know how to stop taking Mounjaro? Whether you want to know how long Mounjaro takes to leave your system or what effects to expect when you stop taking Mounjaro, read on to find out everything you need to know.
How does Mounjaro work in the body?
Mounjaro (clinical name Tirzepatide) works by stimulating two hormone receptors: glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). GLP-1 helps to regulate blood glucose levels, suppressing your appetite and slowing down the emptying of the stomach to keep hunger at bay. GIP supplements the effects of GLP-1 by additionally regulating the energy balance in your brain and fat cells.
Do you have to take Mounjaro forever?
No, you don’t have to take Mounjaro forever. Mounjaro is safe for long-term use and most effective when used this way. How long someone stays on treatment is individual and should be reviewed with a clinician based on benefits, side effects, and personal goals.
Many people experience their most noticeable weight loss within the first year of treatment, with weight loss often slowing or plateauing over time. This does not mean the medication stops working. In clinical trials running for up to around 1.5–2 years, continued treatment helped maintain weight loss, while stopping treatment was associated with weight regain (New England Journal, 2022, JAMA, 2023).
When should you stop taking Mounjaro?
How long you need to take Mounjaro for weight loss will depend on how your body tolerates and responds to Tirzepatide. You and your physician will have decided upon your weight loss goals before you begin taking Mounjaro. Once you have reached these goals, you may decide to reduce or maintain your dose. It’s important to do this under the guidance of one of our pharmacists to ensure that your weight remains within a healthy range.
What happens when you stop taking Mounjaro?
When you stop taking Mounjaro, the medication’s action at the GLP-1 and GIP hormone receptor will no longer be regulating your appetite levels, and they are therefore likely to return to pre-treatment levels. As a result of this, you may experience increased appetite and weight regain.
It’s important to continue eating a balanced diet and maintaining a regular exercise regime when you stop taking Mounjaro to limit these effects.
Can I stop taking Mounjaro cold turkey?
To stop taking Mounjaro ‘cold turkey’ would mean you’d abruptly stop taking the medication, rather than gradually reducing the dose over time. Although you can do this, it’s worth noting that when treatment is stopped, appetite often increases again and some weight regain is common as the medication leaves your system. Some people may also notice temporary digestive changes as their body adjusts. Always consult with our clinical team if you’d like to reduce your dose or come off Mounjaro. They will be able to help you manage a smooth and safe transition off the medication.
When does Mounjaro stop working?
Mounjaro has a half-life of 5 days, meaning its efficacy is reduced by 50% 5 days after taking a dose. This means that, depending on your regular dosage, it can take up to 30 days for Mounjaro to fully leave your system.
While using Mounjaro, many patients experience a reduction in ‘food noise,’ meaning that their daily routines are no longer dominated by cravings. During this period, it is crucial to establish and maintain new eating and exercise habits to ensure that these behaviours persist and so that you can successfully maintain your goal body weight after you’ve stopped taking your medication.
For more information on what to expect when taking Mounjaro, check out our handy guide.
References
Aronne, L.J. et al. (2022) ‘Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity’, New England Journal of Medicine, 387, pp. 205–216. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2206038.
Aronne, L.J. et al. (2023) ‘Effect of continued weekly subcutaneous tirzepatide vs withdrawal on weight loss in adults with obesity: the SURMOUNT-4 randomized clinical trial’, JAMA, 330(9), pp. 844–854. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.12585.
