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Tirzepatide Before weight treatment Chapter index

Know the limits

# Weight lost during treatment may not stay off.

The plan after an initial result deserves a place in the first conversation. Ask what happens if treatment ends, including if the price changes.

Myth to test

Does finishing treatment lock in the weight loss?

Short answer

In the continuation trial, the group switched off tirzepatide regained weight during the next year.

## See what the study actually compared

The SURMOUNT-4 comparison began after participants had completed a 36-week period on tirzepatide.

Both percentages compare weight at the end of the next year with weight on the day the groups split.

They use that day's weight as the starting point, after the first 36 weeks of treatment.

A dummy shot is a comparison treatment without the study medicine.

## After the study's treatment switch

Group switched to a dummy shot

After the switch to a dummy shot, average body weight rose by 14.0% over the next year.

Group that continued

For the group that continued tirzepatide, average body weight fell by another 5.5% in that period.

Right of the line shows a gain; left shows a loss. Each change uses weight on the day the groups split as its starting point.

## Talk through a plan that can change

A study result opens questions. It does not set a personal end date or a lifelong schedule.

How would we review whether treatment still fits?

What would the plan be if I wanted to stop?

What happens if coverage changes?

How does cost affect the longer-term plan?

What follow-up would we discuss if weight returns?

## Brief source notes

[Continuation and withdrawal study report](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38078870/)

Reports what happened to these groups after the initial treatment period.

[Back What weight studies found](/what-supports-this/)

[Next Stomach trouble and more](/risk-check/)

## Chapter index

Begin here

[Start with the checks](/)

[What makes care real](/getting-started/)

[What tirzepatide is](/step-one/)

[Brand names and uses](/decision-points/brand-names/)

[Who the care is for](/decision-points/fit-for-care/)

Check the care

[Check the licence](/ask-next/licence-check/)

[Video, phone or a form](/ask-next/visit-format/)

[Prepare for the visit](/ask-next/first-visit/)

[Ask about tests](/ask-next/blood-tests/)

Work out the cost

[Build the full bill](/plan-costs/)

[Check the plan's rules](/coverage-check/)

[The Medicare routes](/coverage-check/medicare/)

Check the product

[Made to order or generic](/decision-points/compounded-medicine/)

[What the shortage changed](/decision-points/shortage-rules/)

[When an offer needs a pause](/pause-and-check/)

[Sort out the care words](/reading-list/plain-words/)

Know the limits

[What weight studies found](/what-supports-this/)

[What stopping can mean](/what-supports-this/stopping-treatment/)

[Stomach trouble and more](/risk-check/)

[Health details that matter](/risk-check/personal-history/)

Keep this guide beside your care questions. We explain care here; clinic services and medicine sales are outside our work.

Start with the checks Care words Chapter index Read as plain text