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Rachel V Thomas

Stopping Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro Linked To 22% Higher Heart Attack, Stroke Risk: Study

Stopping GLP-1 drugs such as <span>Ozempic</span>, <span>Wegovy</span>, <span>Mounjaro</span> and Zepbound may cause some of their cardiovascular benefits to fade, a large new study suggests.

Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis found that people who stopped GLP-1 treatment had a progressively higher risk of major cardiovascular events, including <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/heart-attack">heart attack</a></span>, <span>stroke</span> and death. After two years off treatment, their risk was 22% higher than among those who continued taking the drugs.

The findings, published in BMJ Medicine, are significant as GLP-1 drugs are widely used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity and have also been shown to provide cardiovascular benefits.

Researchers analyzed health data from 333,687 US veterans with type 2 diabetes over up to three years. Of these, 132,551 had been prescribed GLP-1 drugs, while 201,136 had been prescribed sulfonylureas, another class of diabetes medicines.

Treatment status was reassessed every six months. About 26% of GLP-1 users stopped treatment completely, while another 23% had a treatment gap of at least six months before restarting.

The longer people remained off treatment, the greater their cardiovascular risk.

After one year without restarting, the risk of major cardiovascular events was 14% higher than among continuous users. After two years, it was 22% higher.

"There is enormous exuberance about starting GLP-1 drugs, but not nearly enough attention to what happens when people stop," said senior author Ziyad Al-Aly, a clinical epidemiologist at Washington University.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/are-glp-1-drugs-safe-for-children-study-finds-nutritional-deficiency-in-nearly-17-within-a-year-article-156205524" data-type="tilCustomLink">Are GLP-1 Drugs Safe for Children? Study Finds Nutritional Deficiency in Nearly 17% Within a Year</a>

<h2>Continuous Treatment Showed Greater Benefit</h2>

People who remained on GLP-1 drugs throughout the three-year study had an 18% lower risk of major cardiovascular events than those taking sulfonylureas.

That translated to about four fewer major cardiovascular events per 100 people over three years.

Those who remained on treatment for two or 2.5 years before stopping also had lower cardiovascular risk, by 7% and 15%, respectively.

However, people who stopped before 18 months did not have a significant reduction in cardiovascular risk compared with those taking sulfonylureas by the end of the study.

<h2>Treatment Gaps May Weaken Heart Protection</h2>

Interrupting GLP-1 treatment and later restarting it was associated with less cardiovascular protection. While continuous users had an 18% reduction in major cardiovascular events, those who stopped and later restarted had an average 12% reduction.

Even a six-month treatment gap was associated with a 4% to 8% increase in cardiovascular risk compared with continuous use.

Al-Aly said many patients stop GLP-1 drugs because of "cost, side effects or shortages."

"When they stop, it's not just weight that comes back; they experience a resurgence in inflammation, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Weight regain is visible; the metabolic reversal is not," he said.

"Our data suggest this metabolic whiplash is detrimental to heart health," Al-Aly added.

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/exclusive-glp-1-drugs-are-the-new-statins-says-university-hospital-birmingham-professor-article-156104610" data-type="tilCustomLink">EXCLUSIVE: GLP-1 Drugs Are The ‘New Statins’, Says University Hospital Birmingham Professor</a>

<h2>Can Restarting GLP-1 Drugs Restore The Benefits?</h2>

Restarting treatment appeared to restore some cardiovascular protection, but not all of it.

The researchers said the findings suggest that cardiovascular benefits gained during GLP-1 treatment may diminish after treatment is interrupted.

"Clinicians should treat adherence to GLP-1 treatment as an important outcome in its own right -- not an afterthought," Al-Aly said.

He added that healthcare systems should help patients manage side effects, address cost barriers and understand that GLP-1 drugs are used to manage chronic conditions.

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Stopping GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound may cause some of their cardiovascular benefits to fade, a large new study suggests.Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis found that people who stopped GLP-1 treatment had a progressively higher risk of major cardiovascular events, including heart attack, stroke and death. After two years off treatment, their risk was 22% higher than among those who continued taking the drugs.The findings, published in BMJ Medicine, are significant as GLP-1 drugs are widely used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity and have also been shown to provide cardiovascular benefits.What Did The Study Find?Researchers analyzed health data from 333,687 US veterans with type 2 diabetes over up to three years. Of these, 132,551 had been prescribed GLP-1 drugs, while 201,136 had been prescribed sulfonylureas, another class of diabetes medicines.Treatment status was reassessed every six months. About 26% of GLP-1 users stopped treatment completely, while another 23% had a treatment gap of at least six months before restarting.The longer people remained off treatment, the greater their cardiovascular risk.After one year without restarting, the risk of major cardiovascular events was 14% higher than among continuous users. After two years, it was 22% higher."There is enormous exuberance about starting GLP-1 drugs, but not nearly enough attention to what happens when people stop," said senior author Ziyad Al-Aly, a clinical epidemiologist at Washington University.Also read: Are GLP-1 Drugs Safe for Children? Study Finds Nutritional Deficiency in Nearly 17% Within a YearContinuous Treatment Showed Greater BenefitPeople who remained on GLP-1 drugs throughout the three-year study had an 18% lower risk of major cardiovascular events than those taking sulfonylureas.That translated to about four fewer major cardiovascular events per 100 people over three years.Those who remained on treatment for two or 2.5 years before stopping also had lower cardiovascular risk, by 7% and 15%, respectively.However, people who stopped before 18 months did not have a significant reduction in cardiovascular risk compared with those taking sulfonylureas by the end of the study.Treatment Gaps May Weaken Heart ProtectionInterrupting GLP-1 treatment and later restarting it was associated with less cardiovascular protection. While continuous users had an 18% reduction in major cardiovascular events, those who stopped and later restarted had an average 12% reduction.Even a six-month treatment gap was associated with a 4% to 8% increase in cardiovascular risk compared with continuous use.Al-Aly said many patients stop GLP-1 drugs because of "cost, side effects or shortages.""When they stop, it's not just weight that comes back; they experience a resurgence in inflammation, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Weight regain is visible; the metabolic reversal is not," he said."Our data suggest this metabolic whiplash is detrimental to heart health," Al-Aly added.Read More: EXCLUSIVE: GLP-1 Drugs Are The ‘New Statins’, Says University Hospital Birmingham ProfessorCan Restarting GLP-1 Drugs Restore The Benefits?Restarting treatment appeared to restore some cardiovascular protection, but not all of it.The researchers said the findings suggest that cardiovascular benefits gained during GLP-1 treatment may diminish after treatment is interrupted."Clinicians should treat adherence to GLP-1 treatment as an important outcome in its own right -- not an afterthought," Al-Aly said.He added that healthcare systems should help patients manage side effects, address cost barriers and understand that GLP-1 drugs are used to manage chronic conditions.

stopping ozempic, wegovy, mounjaro linked to 22% higher heart attack, stroke risk: study

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