Advice for stopping GLP-1 analogs or Tirzepatide (Mounjaro)
Web Resource
Last Updated: 18-05-2026
Why am I being given this advice?
GLP-1 agonists (eg Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, Trulicity, Victoza, Saxenda), also known as incretin mimetics or GLP-1 analogues, and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro), a combined GLP-1 / GIP agonist, are commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes. They can also be used to support weight loss in people living with obesity. When they are stopped, it is common to experience increased hunger, changes in blood sugar levels, and possible weight regain.
This guidance has been created to help you manage these changes, reduce the risk of weight regain, and maintain stable blood glucose levels after stopping treatment.
Why might I stop treatment?
People stop treatment with GLP-1 agonists or Tirzepatide for several reasons including -
- Medication not working – if you or your healthcare team feel that the medication isn’t helping you achieve your weight loss or blood sugar goals.
- Side effects – you may have to stop due to side effects ; given time, the side effects often wear off, this is not always the case.
- Pregnancy , breastfeeding or planning a family – these medications should not be taken during pregnancy, during breastfeeding or for some time before trying to get pregnant.
- Healthcare team review – National guidelines help your healthcare team decide if these medications are right for you. If the guidelines suggest they’re not suitable, your healthcare team may contact you to discuss stopping them.
Planning Your Next Steps
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Talk to your prescriber
- Don’t make this decision alone.
- If your healthcare team has advised stopping the medication, they will discuss the reasons and next steps with you.
- Some people find that gradually reducing the dose of medication helps prevent hunger and weight gain; you may wish to discuss this with your healthcare team.
- Agree on lifestyle changes and realistic milestones to help prevent weight regain.
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Medication that may be recommended
- Dapagliflozin (if you are eligible) may be offered as an alternative even if your blood glucose is well controlled, and it can also help protect your heart and kidneys.
- A statin may be recommended to further reduce your risk of heart disease.
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Track your health markers
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Ask your healthcare professional about a monitoring schedule to help you stay on track.
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Develop SMART action plans
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Have simple, well‑rehearsed “if–then” plans you can put into practice easily and refer to the practical lifestyle advice below.
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Keep an eye on what you are eating
Be mindful that on stopping medication, your hunger may increase and fullness may decrease -
Check if you are 'head' hungry or 'tummy' hungry. Having a drink and waiting for 15 minutes can help you sense check whether you are really hungry or just bored and 'head' hungry.
Practical tips
- Consider using a food diary or app for the first few weeks to rebuild awareness of portions.
- Focus on regular meals with enough protein to keep you full.
- Avoid long gaps followed by very large meals.
- Watch out for high-calorie drinks (fruit juice, alcohol, sweetened coffee).
Shop and Cook Healthy
Good choices start before food ever reaches your plate.
Shopping
- Plan your shopping in advance and take a list
- Make sure you buy plenty of:
- Lean protein such as eggs, chicken, fish, tofu, pulses
- Vegetables and salad (fresh or frozen)
- Wholegrains (brown rice, oats, wholegrain bread)
- Limit ultra-processed snacks and sugary foods at home.
- Don’t go shopping when you’re hungry – you’re more likely to buy unhealthy foods
Cooking
- Batch cook healthy meals and freeze portions.
- Use healthy cooking methods such as grilling, baking, steaming or air-frying.
- Use herbs and spices instead of sweet and high fat sauces
Taming your hunger when you eat
This is hard but there are things you can do:
Fill up on proteins
Proteins such as chicken, fish, eggs, beans and pulses (e.g. chickpeas, butter beans, kidney beans and lentils), nuts and seeds help to keep you fuller for longer and prevent sugar surges and falls (which make you hungry again).
Include plenty of non-starchy vegetables with your meals - examples include kale, spinach, lettuce, rocket, cabbage, carrots, swede, courgettes, squash, broccoli, cauliflower and mushrooms. Fill at least half of your plate with these as per the diagram on the right.
Drink plenty
Try to drink mainly water and at least 2 litres a day. Drinking 500mls before meals can help reduce your energy intake by 15%.
Eat regularly
And try to have breakfast, this may help minimise hunger and overeating.
Use smaller plates
You'll serve smaller portions.
Avoid distractions when eating
Things that can help are:
- turning off the TV, your mobile phone, other devices etc
- being more mindful of your mouthfuls
- sitting at a table when you eat.
SLOW down....
Eat slowly and make sure you enjoy every mouthful. Try putting your knife and fork down between bites and swallow your mouthful before thinking about the next one. Time yourself, aiming to eat your meal over a period of at least 20 minutes.
Limit alcohol
Alcohol can make you feel more hungry. If you do have an alcoholic drink, try to have low alcohol versions and don't drink on an empty stomach as you'll be more tempted to reach for the snacks.
Keep active
Keeping active, particularly after eating, helps to lower your glucose levels naturally.
Build Healthy Eating Habits for the Long Term
You do not need to eat perfectly all the time; what matters most is doing well most of the time.
Helpful ideas
- Cut down on foods that make you overeat, such as sugary snacks or white bread.
- Include protein and fibre with each meal (for example eggs, fish, beans, vegetables).
- Some people find it helpful to eat all meals within a set time each day, for example over 10–12 hours.
- Plan treats sometimes, instead of snacking without thinking.
Avoid very strict or extreme diets. Healthy eating should feel doable and flexible so you can keep it up long term.
Get Your Family and Friends Involved
Having your family and friends on board can make a real difference when coming off GLP-1 medication
How they can help
- Tell them your hunger may increase. This is normal.
- Ask them to support you having healthy food at home.
- Try to eat meals together when you can.
- Choose meals that are healthier for everyone.
- Agree to keep fewer sugary or snack foods in the house.
It is easier to keep healthy habits when you are supported by everyone around you.
With planning, awareness, support and sustainable habits, many people successfully maintain their health and weight long term.
Common Questions After Stopping Incretin Therapy
Since stopping my incretin therapy, I feel tired, thirsty, and I am urinating a lot. What should I do?
This may be a symptom of high blood glucose or hyperglycaemia. You may need a change in your medication or to alter your diet or lifestyle to lower your blood glucose. Speak to your diabetes care team for advice.
I drive for a living and have been trying to avoid going on medications that cause hypoglycaemia. Can I be prescribed incretin therapy instead?
You should raise any concerns about the impact any new diabetes medication could have on your driving licence with your healthcare professional and they will discuss with you your treatment options. You can drive on a restricted licence even if you have a group 2 licence with both insulin and sulphonylureas, for example gliclazide and glimepiride.
Can I buy Incretin therapy medications?
You may choose to access certain incretin therapy medications for weight loss, such as Wegovy or Mounjaro, via private prescription. It is important that your prescriber completes the same assessment that an NHS healthcare team would carry out. This includes checking your medical history and body weight, any plans for pregnancy and ensuring you are up to date with your diabetes eye test. This is to determine if the medication is the right medication for you and that it is safe.
DO NOT Buy your medication online without prescription. This is illegal, and you don’t know what you are buying – the medicine that you get may not be what it says it is. If you do decide to buy your medication online, follow these six top tips from UK health organisations How to keep safe when getting medicines or treatment online
Will l gain weight when I stop the Incretin therapy?
This will depend on whether you lost weight when you started this medication. If you have lost weight, it increases the chance that weight will be regained after stopping. However, following the lifestyle advice in this leaflet can help with maintaining weight loss.
Are there treatments I could try that do not involve taking more medication?
If you are concerned about taking more medication or putting on weight with a medication, you could ask your health care professional about referral to local or digital weight management programmes or a type 2 diabetes remission programme if it is relevant for you.
You might also find type 2 diabetes education courses helpful if you have not done one for a while.
