The typical duration of use for weight-loss peptide medications is 3-6 months. The specific duration needs to be dynamically adjusted based on individual weight loss goals, physical response, and doctor's assessment. Most people need to persist for at least 12 weeks to see significant results.
These medications are not short-term "quick fixes," but rather long-term management tools that need to be combined with lifestyle interventions. The following are usage guidelines for different stages:
Initial Effectiveness Period (4-12 weeks): Most people begin to see weight loss around week 4, with significant results becoming apparent by week 12. For example, telpotetamide can result in an average weight loss of 7.3% within 12 weeks, while mastartamide achieves an average weight loss of 12.55% by week 32. This stage is a crucial window for observing the medication's effectiveness.
Core Weight Loss Period (3-6 months): Clinically, it is generally recommended to continue use for at least 3 months to evaluate efficacy. If weight loss is less than 5% for three consecutive months, it may be considered ineffective, and the treatment plan should be adjusted. If weight loss reaches 15% or more, you can discuss with your doctor whether to enter the maintenance or discontinuation phase.
Long-term maintenance phase (6 months or more): For those who need further weight loss or to prevent rebound, long-term use can be performed under the guidance of a doctor. Studies show that long-term use helps stabilize weight and reduce the risk of rebound. Some international guidelines support the use of this type of medication as a long-term management method for chronic metabolic diseases.
Discontinuation and transition period: Discontinuation should be done with caution, as sudden discontinuation may lead to a 10%-15% weight rebound. A "stepped reduction" approach is recommended: reduce the dose by 1 mg every 2 weeks, gradually discontinuing the medication, while simultaneously solidifying healthy eating and exercise habits to transform the changes brought about by the medication into a long-term lifestyle.