Should You Keep Taking Oral Weight Loss Meds After You Hit Your Goal Weight?

You’ve been losing weight, and the finish line is in sight. Or maybe you’ve already hit your goal weight. What do you do when you get there? Should you keep taking your oral weight loss medication?

The short answer is: You can! For many, weight loss meds are safe to take long-term, and they can help you maintain your weight in the long run.

Read on for insight into safety, side effects, and what happens if you decide you’d rather stop taking weight loss medication.

It’s easy to assume that after you reach your goal weight, you just…stop taking weight loss meds. But that isn’t always the case.

If you’re tolerating the meds well and don’t have any new contraindications (medical reasons that could make them unsafe for you), you can continue taking weight loss medication to maintain your weight long-term.

This can be preferable to the yo-yo cycle of losing and regaining weight that might happen without medication. Plus, it solidifies all the progress you’ve made in improving your health.

Another way to look at it is through the lens of other prescription drugs used for chronic health conditions like high blood pressure (hypertension). You wouldn’t necessarily stop taking them once your blood pressure is under control. Your blood pressure is under control because you keep taking them.

“The current belief in weight management is that the medications for most people should be continued, just like blood pressure or cholesterol meds. If you have lost weight, improved your health and don't have any significant side effects the medication is doing as intended and consider using the medication(s) for a long time to continue the benefits”

- Craig Primack, MD, FACP, FAAP, FOMA

If you decide to stop taking weight loss medication, there’s a chance you’ll regain some of the weight you’ve lost.

That might happen in the first few months. For example, research shows that people taking topiramate regain weight within six months of stopping treatment. And some regain all the weight they’d lost.

Other health benefits, like improved insulin resistance, might also drift back to baseline.

Why does this happen? One reason is hunger. You might find your hunger levels increase to where they were before treatment, making it easier to overeat and gain weight over time.

If you do decide to stop taking weight loss medication, focus on a nutritious diet, mindful eating, regular movement, and other lifestyle interventions to maintain your progress.

Let’s talk safety. For lots of folks, weight loss meds are considered safe to take long-term. In fact, many oral medications used for weight loss are designed for extended use.

For instance, metformin is a type 2 diabetes medication, and the anti-seizure drug topiramate can help those with epilepsy. These are long-term and life-long conditions, respectively.

Research backs up their safety. Studies show people take metformin safely for years, with some studies spanning over a decade. Another example is bupropion — an antidepressant — which has no known risks associated with long-term use.

Naltrexone is another weight loss medication originally intended to help with opioid and alcohol addiction. When combined with other oral meds, long-term use of naltrexone can be beneficial for those with obesity.

Of course, medication affects everyone differently. A healthcare provider can assess your unique health profile and let you know if it’s safe to take your weight loss meds long-term.

“If the medications are working as desired, keep taking them. If you do decide to try to stop, discuss with your medical provider on the best ways to do so. If you gain even 5 lbs back, I suggest you just restart them. If you keep it off, continue what you are doing”

- Craig Primack, MD, FACP, FAAP, FOMA

Whether you come off your weight loss meds or not, there’s always a risk you might experience a weight loss plateau as you approach your goal weight — or weight regain once you hit it.

Here’s what to do to push past those hurdles and maintain your progress:

• Bump up your protein. Protein helps you feel fuller and maintain muscle mass, which is important for keeping your metabolism higher. Fish, chicken, turkey, eggs, tofu, and Greek yogurt are all great protein sources. Aim for about 100 grams of protein a day, or use our protein calculator for a personalized intake goal.

• Add more movement to your day. Beyond structured workouts, do more general movement throughout the day, like walking, physical chores, and playing with your kids or dog. You can also mix up your workouts to challenge your body.

• Get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation can increase your appetite and decrease your willpower — not a good recipe for weight loss. Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night by keeping a regular sleep schedule, limiting screen time for at least an hour before bed, and only using your bed for sleep and sex.

• Lower your stress levels. Stress can lead to everything from stress eating to sleep disruption — making weight loss harder to maintain. Work on relieving stress with activities like breathing exercises, nature walks, or calling a friend.

Don’t forget about the many tools and resources available through the Hers app. That includes guided meditations, high-protein recipes, habit trackers, and sleep guidance.

Finally, a change in medication might help you break through a weight loss plateau or lose the weight you’ve regained. Reach out to your care team through the Hers app to discuss your treatment plan. If needed, you can get medication adjustments at no extra cost.

Now you’re nearing your weight loss goal — or maybe you’ve already hit it! In any case, it’s time to think about what’s next. That may involve staying on weight loss medication to manage your weight in the long run.

Your best bet is to reach out to your Hers care team. They can let you know if staying on your meds is right for you. They can also adjust your dose or medication, if needed, to help you manage side effects going forward.

Finally, consider joining our ambassador program, the Hims & Hers Health Collective.

As an ambassador, you can:

• Share your experiences and inspire others on their weight loss journeys

• Provide feedback and help shape the future of the company

• Collect points that can be redeemed for great perks

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

Apply here.