Coming off
Coming off Mounjaro: what to expect and how to hold steady
The short version
- Mounjaro is tirzepatide. Your prescriber will tell you how and when to stop.
- Appetite usually returns within a few weeks of your last dose.
- In SURMOUNT-4, people who stopped regained about 14% of their body weight over a year on average; about one in six regained much less.
- Protein, strength and steady routines give you the best chance of holding on to your progress.
About Mounjaro
Tirzepatide acts on two gut hormone signals, GLP-1 and GIP, which reduce appetite. It stays in the body for about five days between doses and clears over a few weeks after the last one.
Mounjaro is a trademark of Eli Lilly. Steadie isn't connected with Eli Lilly and doesn't give advice about medication.
What SURMOUNT-4 found
After 36 weeks on tirzepatide, people were split into two groups. Those who carried on lost a further 5.5% of their weight over the next year. Those switched to a placebo regained about 14%. But about one in six of the people who stopped regained less than a quarter of what they'd lost, and their health markers stayed largely steady.
That's the honest picture: regain is common, and it isn't inevitable.
Before you stop
Agree the plan with your prescriber, including follow-up. Then use the weeks around your last dose, while appetite is still quiet, to set up routines. See building habits before you stop and questions to ask your prescriber.
The months after
- Protein at every meal: how much and where from.
- Two short strength sessions a week.
- Regular meals, with fibre, so hunger is easier to predict.
- A plan for evenings and weekends, when cravings are often strongest.
- A calm way to watch your weight: a 7-day average and a small steady zone.
Common questions
How quickly does appetite come back after Mounjaro?
Usually within a few weeks of the last dose, as tirzepatide clears from the body.
Do you gain weight after stopping Mounjaro?
Many people regain some weight. In SURMOUNT-4 the average was about 14% of body weight over a year, but about one in six people regained much less.
Should I reduce my Mounjaro dose before stopping?
That's a question for your prescriber. Steadie doesn't give advice about doses or stopping medicines.
Sources
- Aronne et al. Continued treatment with tirzepatide for maintenance of weight reduction (SURMOUNT-4). JAMA, 2024
- American College of Cardiology journal scan: SURMOUNT-4 weight regain analysis
- NICE technology appraisal TA1026: tirzepatide for managing overweight and obesity
- NICE quality standard QS212, statement 6: wraparound care alongside medicines for weight management
- NHS: tirzepatide (Mounjaro)
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Steadie never gives advice about medication, doses or stopping treatment: talk to your prescriber, GP or pharmacist about those. In an emergency, call 999. Read how we write guides in our editorial policy.