New Weight Loss Drugs Help People Keep Pounds Off Long-Term

Millions of people who've lost weight know the hardest part isn't shedding pounds but keeping them off for good.

Two new clinical trials published in The Lancet and Nature Medicine offer promising news for anyone worried about weight regain. Researchers found that people maintained nearly all their weight loss after switching from higher-dose injectable medications to either lower doses or a once-daily pill called Foundayo.

The SURMOUNT-MAINTAIN trial followed people who initially lost weight on Zepbound, a weekly injection. After 60 weeks of treatment, participants either continued at their maximum dose or switched to a lower 5 mg dose for another year. Those who stayed on the higher dose kept off every pound they'd lost. Even those who reduced their dose only regained about 12 pounds on average.

The ATTAIN-MAINTAIN trial tested something different: switching people from injections to oral medication. Participants who switched from Wegovy injections to daily Foundayo pills regained just 2 pounds on average after a full year. Those switching from Zepbound injections to Foundayo pills regained about 11 pounds.

Dr. Louis Aronne, founder and Chair Emeritus of the American Board of Obesity Medicine, says weight regain is often the result of treatment interruptions that cause biology to work against patients. These results show people can maintain progress even when adjusting their treatment approach.

Side effects remained consistent with earlier studies. The most common issues with Foundayo were nausea and constipation, though very few people stopped treatment because of them. For Zepbound during the maintenance period, discontinuation rates due to side effects were minimal or zero across all dose groups.

Why This Inspires

Obesity affects more than 40% of American adults, and the frustration of yo-yo dieting is something countless people understand deeply. These trials matter because they show weight loss maintenance isn't just about willpower but about having the right medical tools.

The availability of both injection and pill options means more people can find a treatment that fits their lifestyle. Someone who struggles with weekly injections might thrive on a daily pill, while others might prefer less frequent dosing.

Kenneth Custer, executive vice president at Lilly Cardiometabolic Health, emphasized that obesity is a chronic disease requiring long-term treatment. Having multiple options helps patients navigate their weight loss journey in ways that work for them.

These findings represent real progress in treating obesity as the complex medical condition it is, not a personal failing.