What Happens When You Stop Taking Mounjaro

Mounjaro has been clinically proven to significantly enhance the potential for weight loss when taken in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise regimen. The treatment garners positive reviews from users and is responsible for some impressive transformations.

Clinical trials have shown that Mounjaro is effective over the long term; however, situations may arise where it’s necessary to come off the treatment, either temporarily or permanently. But what happens when you stop taking Mounjaro?

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about stopping Mounjaro, such as potential reasons for doing it, how to come off it safely, and the effect this can have on your body and weight loss efforts. Let’s get started. 

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Can I Just Stop Taking Mounjaro?

Yes, you absolutely can just stop taking Mounjaro if you have reached your target weight, are experiencing side effects, or feel it is time for your treatment to end. Although Mounjaro is a long-term treatment, there may come a time when you will want to stop.

Unlike other medications, Mounjaro does not cause withdrawal symptoms, so you can stop treatment without tapering your dose as long as you do so under the guidance of a clinician. Although this will not harm your health, it can lead to weight gain.

Some people prefer to move on to a maintenance dose to help them sustain their weight loss progress rather than stopping Mounjaro completely. However, there are many reasons you may consider ending your Mounjaro treatment, so this approach may not always be suitable.

Reasons for Stopping Mounjaro

There are several reasons why people consider stopping Mounjaro treatment. Perhaps the most obvious reason is that they have reached their target weight, but there are also medical and financial reasons why people stop taking Mounjaro for weight loss. Whatever your reasons, you should consult a clinician before deciding to stop Mounjaro injections.

Here are the main reasons for stopping Mounjaro treatment in more detail: 

Achieving Weight Loss Goals

If you have reached your target weight, you may be thinking about coming off Mounjaro and continuing with the positive lifestyle changes you have made to maintain your progress. However, some research has shown that stopping tirzepatide can lead to you regaining 14% of your lost weight.

If you do not feel confident just stopping Mounjaro, you may choose to continue on a Mounjaro maintenance dose to help you sustain your results. 

Side Effects

Mounjaro side effects are another reason some people decide to stop Mounjaro, such as feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, sulphur burps, or constipation. Although these are usually temporary and improve as your body gets used to the medication, some people find that they are severe or last long enough for them to stop their treatment.

If side effects are a concern for you, it may be a good idea to consult a clinician who can recommend an alternative weight loss solution. 

Pregnancy

Mounjaro is not recommended during pregnancy as there is not enough research into its effects on pregnant women and their unborn children. So, if you become pregnant while taking Mounjaro, you should stop taking Mounjaro and contact your doctor straight away. You can find out more in our dedicated Mounjaro and Pregnancy guide. 

Medical Reasons

In certain circumstances, medical reasons may require you to stop taking Mounjaro. For example, if you develop health issues, such as gallbladder problems or pancreatitis, Mounjaro may no longer be suitable for you. If you need to have surgery, your doctor may advise you to temporarily pause your treatment until you have recovered. 

Financial Reasons

A common reason for stopping Mounjaro is the price increase imposed by Eli Lilly, Mounjaro's manufacturer, in September 2025. The price increase may mean you can no longer continue your treatment. If the cost of Mounjaro is a concern for you, there are several more affordable weight loss treatments available to help you continue with your weight loss journey.

A popular choice is Wegovy, another once-weekly GLP-1 agonist, which can help you lose up to 17% of your initial body weight over 68 weeks on its highest dose. Our clinicians can help you safely switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy if the Mounjaro price increase has made your treatment less viable.

How to Stop Mounjaro Safely

If you want to stop taking Mounjaro, it is essential that you consult with your clinician first. They will discuss your reasons for stopping and, if Mounjaro isn’t working for you, they may recommend an alternative weight loss treatment to help you continue your progress.

You can safely stop Mounjaro by:  

• Slowly reducing your dose: It can be helpful to gradually lower your dose rather than stopping Mounjaro abruptly. This approach can help manage hunger and food cravings. However, Mounjaro doesn’t cause withdrawal symptoms, so if slowly reducing the Mounjaro dose for weight loss isn’t suitable for you, it is possible just to end your treatment. 
• Continuing with your diet and exercise plan: The positive changes you have made during your Mounjaro treatment should be continued even after your treatment has ended. By following a Mounjaro diet plan and engaging in regular exercise, you’ll support your body in continuing to lose weight or maintain your progress. 

• Monitoring hunger and appetite changes: When you come off Mounjaro, tirzepatide will no longer be bound to the GLP-1 and GIP receptors in your body, allowing your appetite to return. It is essential to monitor any changes in food cravings, allowing you to make appropriate adjustments to your diet and exercise, or, if necessary, consult with your clinician about switching to Wegovy or a different weight loss treatment.

It can take a few weeks for Mounjaro to fully leave your system, so if you are ending the medication because of side effects, it can take a while for them to go away completely. 

What Happens if You Stop Taking Mounjaro

Mounjaro works by binding to the receptors of two digestive hormones, GLP-1 and GIP, thereby mimicking their effects to reduce appetite, manage food cravings, and regulate blood sugar levels. When you stop Mounjaro, tirzepatide no longer mimics these effects, and you may notice that you become increasingly hungry, making it difficult to maintain your results. 

Here are a few things that may happen if you stop taking Mounjaro:

Increased Appetite & Food Cravings

Stopping Mounjaro means it is likely that your appetite will increase, you’ll crave food, and the food noise you got before starting the medication will return. These effects can significantly impact your progress and make it more challenging to maintain your weight loss.

Taste Changes

One of the potential side effects of Mounjaro is a change in taste. When you stop the injection, you may also notice changes in taste or a return of symptoms you may have experienced before. There is limited scientific evidence to support a link between GLP-1 medications and changes in taste, although anecdotal accounts from individuals who have used them exist.

Blood Sugar Changes

If you have been taking Mounjaro because you have type 2 diabetes, stopping it may mean your blood glucose levels will rise and may return to pre-treatment levels. This means you may need to manage the condition with alternative treatments and lifestyle changes. 

Side Effects Subside

If your main reason for stopping Mounjaro is that you are getting side effects, you should notice they improve or go away within a few weeks as the active ingredient leaves your body.

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Do You Gain Weight Back After Stopping Mounjaro?

One of the most widely reported effects of stopping Mounjaro is the potential to regain some of the weight you lost because of the changes taking place in the body. It’s also one of the key reasons why some people choose to slowly taper their Mounjaro dose or move onto a maintenance strength under the guidance of their clinician.

In a 36-week randomised clinical trial, people who took either a 10 or 15mg Mounjaro dose experienced an average weight loss of 21%. After 36 weeks, those who continued with Mounjaro lost a further 5.5%, while those who switched to a placebo regained 14% of their lost weight, demonstrating that discontinuing Mounjaro can have a negative impact on weight loss results.

Similar results have been found in people who take Wegovy, where, after one year of stopping semaglutide treatment, individuals regained two-thirds of the weight they had lost.  

However, it’s not all bad. Another study has shown that 2 years after stopping tirzepatide, 55% of people maintained their weight loss or lost more weight. While 31% doubled their loss, and 21% regained 100% of the weight they had lost.

Despite the potential for weight gain after stopping Mounjaro because of the way the medication works, there are things you can do to limit this impact.

How to Avoid Weight Gain After Stopping Mounjaro?

Mounjaro doesn’t work on its own, so when you first start treatment, your clinician will advise you to make several important, healthy changes to your lifestyle to maximise Mounjaro’s benefits, such as following a diet and exercise plan. These habits will stand you in good stead as you transition through the Mounjaro dosage schedule and even when you stop it.

However, maintaining your weight loss after Mounjaro can be challenging. In fact, weight loss, whether achieved with or without medication, is not easy; however, there are steps you can take to prevent your weight from returning.

Mindful Eating

Changing your diet while taking Mounjaro can be easier due to its appetite-suppressing effects, but continuing with those healthy changes can not only support continued weight loss but also leave you feeling fuller for longer. Here are some of the nutrients you should be prioritising:

• Fibre: Dietary fibre has been shown to prevent and manage obesity-related disorders, including cardiovascular disease. It is an easy way to keep you feeling fuller for longer. Soluble fibre can lower cholesterol, and insoluble fibre helps prevent and relieve constipation. Food sources include oats, flaxseeds, fruits, vegetables, and legumes.
• Protein: Foods such as chicken breast, fish, eggs, dairy, tofu, and edamame are excellent sources of protein, which has been shown to be a safe and effective tool for weight loss and preventing obesity. 
• Water: Drinking more water is associated with greater weight loss and reduced weight gain over time. It can also help to drink water before a meal to reduce hunger and food intake. Additionally, switching from fizzy or sugary drinks to water can result in a 0.33 kg reduction in body weight alone.

You should also consider avoiding certain foods while using Mounjaro and after you stop using it to maintain results. 

Get Regular Exercise

Exercise is an integral part of a normal, healthy lifestyle, and the NHS recommends that all adults aged 19 to 64 participate in 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week, as well as engage in strengthening exercises twice a week.

A clinical trial involving 160 obese older adults found that a combination of aerobic and resistance training results in a 36% reduction in abdominal (visceral) fat. 

Prioritise Sleep

Poor sleep can disrupt your metabolism, making it more difficult to burn calories. That’s because sleep is an important regulator of appetite hormones, leading to increased hunger and cravings for unhealthy foods. Not getting enough sleep can reduce your energy, so you are less likely to exercise, interfere with the body’s ability to efficiently store fat, and increase cortisol, a stress hormone, levels. Ideally, you should aim to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. Use our guide to help you find ways to improve your sleep.

Manage Stress

Stress can cause weight gain through several mechanisms, as it leads to an increase in cortisol, a hormone associated with stress. When cortisol levels are high, it can lead to emotional eating, which can prompt you to make unhealthy choices and engage in comfort eating. Identifying and addressing your triggers can help you manage overeating. 

Stopping and Restarting Mounjaro: Is it Safe?

It is safe to stop and restart Mounjaro at a later date, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, discuss stopping and restarting Mounjaro with your clinician, so they can advise you on the best approach, any necessary preparations for your body, and what it may mean for your progress.

When you restart Mounjaro, you will need to start again at the lowest dose and restart the Mounjaro dosage schedule to minimise the chance of side effects and allow your body to adjust to the medication again. 

Does Stopping and Restarting Mounjaro Help Weight Loss?

No, a stopping and restarting Mounjaro weight loss strategy is not advisable and won’t help you lose more weight. This approach can actually stall your progress, increase the chance of weight gain, and cause side effects. Mounjaro has been designed to be taken consistently once a week and over a prolonged period as part of a comprehensive weight management plan. 

Stopping Mounjaro Frequently Asked Questions

Thinking about stopping Mounjaro is a huge step, and it’s normal to have many questions about how to end your treatment, whether you can pause it and start again later, or if it will cause withdrawal symptoms. Here, we answer some of the most common questions about coming off Mounjaro, so you know exactly what to expect.

Can I Stop Mounjaro for 2 Weeks?

Yes, you can stop taking Mounjaro for 2 weeks, but it's best to consult with your clinician first, as it may impact your progress. If you stop taking Mounjaro for more than 2 weeks, you will need to restart Mounjaro on the lowest strength and slowly increase the dose as before.

Can You Stop Mounjaro Cold Turkey?

Yes, it is possible to stop Mounjaro and go “cold turkey”, which means stopping it abruptly without tapering the dose, because it does not cause physical withdrawal symptoms. However, most clinicians will advise you to slowly reduce your dose or consider a maintenance dose because stopping Mounjaro suddenly can lead to appetite changes and intense food cravings.

If you are considering ending your Mounjaro treatment because you are experiencing side effects, switching to an alternative GLP-1 injection, like Wegovy or Nevolat, may be possible. Speak to our clinician today who can help you switch to Nevolat or Wegovy safely.

Can You Stop Taking Mounjaro for a Holiday?

Although you might think about stopping your weight loss medication if you are going on holiday, it is perfectly possible and safe to travel with Mounjaro without affecting your weight loss journey. You can take your Mounjaro pens on a plane in your carry-on luggage; you’ll just need to carry your prescription and transport them in a cool bag.

Travelling with Mounjaro is a better option than pausing your treatment, as this can have a negative impact on your progress, and if you stop taking it for more than 2 weeks, you may need to start the process from scratch.

Can You Take a Break From Mounjaro?

Yes, you can take a break from Mounjaro, and many people choose to do so for various reasons, including cost, side effects, or the need for surgery. However, if you need to take a break from Mounjaro, consult your clinician first to discuss the best course of action and the potential implications of pausing your treatment. 

How Long Should I Wait Before Restarting Mounjaro After Surgery?

This will depend on several factors, including the type of surgery you have had, your recovery, and any side effects you are experiencing. You will need to consult with your surgeon and your prescribing clinician before restarting Mounjaro. They will be able to provide a more definitive answer.

Does Stopping Mounjaro Cause Withdrawal Symptoms?

No, stopping Mounjaro does not cause withdrawal symptoms, like some other medications, which means you can just stop taking it if you need to. However, stopping Mounjaro abruptly can lead to a reversal of its beneficial effects, so your appetite may return and you may crave unhealthy foods, increasing the risk of weight gain. 

Essential Support Throughout Your Journey

Weight loss with Mounjaro isn’t a quick fix solution that lasts for one month, three months, or even a year. Achieving success is a long-term journey that requires hard work and determination, especially when obstacles such as plateaus and side effects arise. The good news is that you don’t need to go through any of this alone, as Prescription Doctor is here to help.

From the outset, our experienced clinicians will be able to determine whether Mounjaro is suitable for your circumstances or recommend an alternative solution. They will also be available to answer any questions you may have about your treatment and regularly check in with you to monitor progress and ensure everything is going as planned.

Our website has a wealth of information about tirzepatide for you to browse at your leisure. In addition to outlining what happens when you stop taking Mounjaro, we also explore topics such as how to use the KwikPen, the duration of side effects, and the optimal time to take the medication. We even discuss how to switch from Wegovy to Mounjaro and vice versa.

Prescription Doctor is committed to taking the hassle out of healthcare, which is why we’ve streamlined our ordering process. Simply complete a brief online medical questionnaire and we’ll sort out the rest. Orders approved before 3pm on a weekday are eligible for next-day delivery, so there’s no waiting around. Our General Pharmaceutical Council-registered pharmacy also dispatches all products in plain packaging that doesn’t give away their contents, ensuring complete discretion.

Take the first steps on your Mounjaro journey today and begin a consultation with Prescription Doctor. 

Authored By

Leanne Edermaniger

Medical Content Writer

Leanne is a science and health content writer focusing on human health and biology while utilising her solid academic background.

Published on: 12/11/2025

Reviewed By

Mohamed Imran Lakhi

MPharm - Lead Pharmacist

Imran Lakhi is the superintendent pharmacist and founder at Prescription Doctor. He has been at the core of our team.

Reviewed on: 12/11/2025