Stopping GLP-1 Medications May Double Cardiovascular Risk for Type 2 Diabetes Patients, Study Finds
An observational study of over 80,000 Italians published in The Lancet Regional Health Europe found that type 2 diabetes patients who discontinued GLP-1 medications faced roughly double the annual rate of heart attack, stroke, or death compared to those who remained on treatment. Experts caution the findings do not prove direct causation but emphasize that GLP-1 drugs are chronic treatments that should not be stopped arbitrarily.
Type 2 diabetes patients who stop taking GLP-1 weight loss medications may face twice the risk of experiencing a heart attack, stroke, or death, according to an observational study published in The Lancet Regional Health Europe.
The research analyzed data collected between 2004 and 2024 from more than 80,000 Italians with type 2 diabetes and no established heart disease. Among those who discontinued GLP-1 treatments, four out of every 100 people per year experienced a non-fatal heart attack, stroke, or died. By comparison, about two out of every 100 people who stayed on the medication experienced the same adverse cardiovascular events annually.
Approximately 60 percent of the participants stopped using the drugs after about one year, while those who remained on treatment did so for an average of three years. Patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more showed a higher risk among those who stopped treatment compared to participants with a BMI under 30. Those who discontinued GLP-1 therapy saw only modest changes in weight, blood sugar concentrations, and blood pressure.
The Lancet study primarily included users of liraglutide and dulaglutide, along with a small group of semaglutide users. Tirzepatide was not included because it was released after the study period.
Researchers and outside analysts caution that the observational nature of the study means it cannot determine if discontinuing GLP-1 drugs directly caused the increased risk. An analysis by the British Medical Journal noted that people who stopped the medications might have already been in poorer health, or discontinuation could be linked to side effects or cost.
Dr. Christopher Labos, a cardiologist and epidemiologist at McGill University, stated that the study highlights the cardiovascular benefits of these medications and warns against stopping them without medical reason. Experts emphasize that GLP-1s are chronic treatments for chronic conditions and should not be stopped arbitrarily.
A separate study published in the BMJ in January 2026, which reviewed 63 trials covering more than 9,000 individuals, found that weight-loss drug users regain weight at an average rate of 0.4 kilograms (0.88 pounds) per month after stopping. On average, patients who stopped the drugs regained their entire baseline weight about 20 months after cessation.