Stopping GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic erodes heart health benefits quickly, new study finds

Key Points:

• A study from Washington University School of Medicine found that stopping GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide and tirzepatide leads to a rapid loss of cardiovascular benefits, including increased risks of heart attack and stroke.
• Continuous use of GLP-1 drugs for three years was associated with an 18% reduction in cardiovascular risk, but stopping the medication for six months to two years raised the risk by 4% to 22%.
• Restarting GLP-1 treatment after discontinuation partially restores heart protection but does not fully recover the benefits of uninterrupted use, indicating some lasting negative effects from stopping.
• Experts emphasize that GLP-1 drugs should be part of a long-term treatment plan combined with lifestyle changes to maintain heart health, as the metabolic reversal from stopping these drugs can be "silent and invisible" until serious events occur.
• The study was observational and focused mainly on older male veterans with type 2 diabetes, so results may not generalize to all populations, and medication adherence and reasons for stopping could influence outcomes.