The Case for Continuing GLP-1s After Hitting Your Goal Weight

GLP-1s (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists), like Wegovy^®, Ozempic^®, or generic liraglutide, have helped you reach your goal weight — or get you close to it. But what should you do once you get there? Do you just…stop taking medication?

The short answer is no, you don’t have to. You can continue taking GLP-1 medication to manage your weight long-term.

Keep reading for insight into the safety of long-term GLP-1 use and what happens if you stop.

GLP-1s aren’t just for weight loss. Many people take GLP-1s for ongoing weight management.

Think of GLP-1s like high blood pressure meds for hypertension. You wouldn’t necessarily stop taking them once your blood pressure is under control. Your blood pressure is under control because you continue taking them.

Managing your weight with ongoing GLP-1 treatment is similar. And it can be healthier than the weight loss-and-regain yo-yo you might experience without them.

So, if you’re tolerating your medication well and don’t have any new contraindications (like a new health condition diagnosis that would make the drug unsafe to use), there’s little reason to stop.

“If you have struggled with your weight and been unable to keep off the weight you have lost in the past — or haven’t even been able to lose weight — and being on GLP-1s has reset your appetite and helped your metabolism and weight, please consider staying on them for a long time,” says Craig Primack, MD, FACP, FAAP, MFOMA, obesity medicine physician and Senior Vice President of Weight Loss at Hims & Hers. “Stop the struggle.”

Of course, you can stop taking GLP-1s once you hit your goal weight if you like. The risk? You may regain some of the weight you’ve lost.

A 2022 study on Wegovy^®, for example, found that people regained two-thirds of the weight they’d lost a year after stopping the medication. Weight regain can also happen after stopping other GLP-1s, like liraglutide.

Without GLP-1 treatment, you might notice your hunger and food cravings creep back up to pre-medication levels. This makes it harder to avoid overeating, which can lead to weight gain over time. There may also be hormonal and other physiological changes that promote weight regain.

And it’s not just weight. Other health improvements, like better heart health or balanced blood sugar, may reverse when you stop GLP-1 medication.

Stopping a GLP-1 will look different for everyone. Here’s how it went down for one Hims customer:

“The GLP-1 was great. I started at the intro dose and didn’t move past the second dose because that was enough to get me on my way. Once I got to my goal weight, I paused using it because I was able to maintain on my own. I just needed that little push. I’ve been so happy with the results and have recommended Hims & Hers to so many of my salon clients for their weight loss needs. I was able to maintain the weight and wanted to focus on building more muscle again in this new trim body.“ —Cody Moorefield, Hims customer.*

If you decide you’d like to stop treatment, reach out to your care team. They can let you know how to taper down your dose. You might also benefit from enrolling in a weight management program or getting other support to maintain your weight with lifestyle interventions.

Most side effects occur at the start of treatment and when increasing your dose. But you may still experience GLP-1 side effects once you’ve reached a healthy body weight, such as:

• Nausea

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Constipation

• Fatigue

If that’s the case, you don’t need to white-knuckle it through the discomfort, especially once you’ve hit your goal weight.

You can stop taking your GLP-1 medication or reach out to your care team about a treatment adjustment. A lower dose or different weight loss drug may help you maintain your weight — without the side effects.

BTW, don’t forget that as a Hims customer, you get unlimited access to healthcare providers through the Hims app. Get your questions answered or treatment tweaked at no extra cost.

It’s thought that GLP-1s are safe for many people to take long-term. In fact, GLP-1s were designed with long-term use in mind. The class of medication started out as a drug for type 2 diabetes — a life-long condition.

“The current belief is that the multiple health benefits of weight loss — and the non-weight benefits that come from these medications — are much more important than the possibility of long-term side effects, which, after millions of people have used them, is exceedingly small,” says Dr. Primack.

Research so far backs it up. For example, a 2024 review of Wegovy^® studies spanning up to two years showed the drug is well-tolerated. Side effects were mostly gastrointestinal and mild to moderate in severity.

On the longer side, another study from 2024 on those with excess weight or obesity and cardiovascular disease found Wegovy^® was safe over four years.

Weight loss plateaus — when your weight loss slows or stalls altogether — are common on any weight loss journey. They can happen whether you stop taking a GLP-1 or not.

Luckily, a few lifestyle adjustments can help you continue making progress toward your goal weight — and then stay there.

Here’s what to do:

• Increase your protein intake. Protein can keep your appetite in check and help you maintain muscle mass, which keeps your metabolism higher. Go for lean protein sources like chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, tofu, and beans. In general, aim for about 100 grams of protein a day, or use our protein calculator to get a personalized intake recommendation.

• Do more movement. It doesn’t need to be structured workouts (although cardio and strength training are important!). Increase how much general movement you do, like walking, grocery shopping, doing physical chores, or playing with your kids or pets.

• Prioritize sleep. A lack of sleep does a number on your appetite, making it hard to stick to nutritious choices and portions. Aim for seven to nine hours of shut-eye a night. Winding down before bed (ideally without screens), avoiding heavy pre-bed meals, and keeping a consistent sleep schedule can help. 

• Lower stress. Find stress management techniques that work for you. That could be reading, journaling, morning walks, spending time with loved ones, or just some solo time.

Don’t forget, the Hims app has tools and resources to help you stick to these healthy habits. That includes trackers, guided meditations, high-protein recipes, and more.

One final piece of advice: Reach out to your care team. If you’re experiencing a plateau or weight regain, a healthcare provider may recommend adjusting your medication dose to help you get back on track.

Once you’ve celebrated, the next steps after hitting your goal weight might include continuing your GLP-1 treatment. This can help you maintain your goal weight in the long run. A healthcare provider can recommend a maintenance dose that works for you.

One more thing to do? Consider joining our ambassador program, the Hims & Hers Health Collective.

As an ambassador, you can:

• Share your story and inspire others who want to lose weight

• Provide feedback and help shape the future of the company

• Collect points that can be redeemed for perks

• Get exclusive early access to virtual and in-person events

Apply here.