Keeping weight off in the long run is a major challenge for many who strive to lose weight. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and its associated insulin resistance can add another layer of difficulty in achieving weight loss. Does metformin after stopping semaglutide help to keep the semaglutide-induced weight loss off? Explore how this strategy might offer a more sustainable solution for those looking to manage their weight effectively over time.
Overview
What did they test? The authors conducted a two-year observational study that explored changes in body weight, cardiometabolic and endocrine parameters in obese women with PCOS who continued taking metformin after stopping semaglutide.
What did they find? At two years follow-up, participants regained one-third of their semaglutide-induced weight loss, and 84% of women still had a lower body weight than at baseline.
What does it mean for you? For women with PCOS taking semaglutide, taking metformin may help to keep the weight off even after stopping semaglutide.
What’s the Problem?
Purpose
New glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist weight loss medications, like semaglutide, result in large weight loss primarily due to increasing feelings of fullness. However, maintaining weight loss after stopping medication is a known real-world challenge due to compensatory biological changes 1. There are some studies implying that metformin might attenuate weight regain 2. Its effectiveness has also been demonstrated in insulin resistant conditions such as PCOS 3. However, weight loss maintenance after discontinuation of short-term semaglutide treatment in obese women with PCOS who continued metformin treatment has not yet been evaluated.
Hypothesis
The authors hypothesized that metformin may partially prevent weight regain after weight loss induced by semaglutide.
