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Reached your goal weight? Most affiliate sites optimize starting GLP-1. We own Year 2+. Build your step-down protocol with regain trip-wires built in.
The Exit Lane: maintenance > complete discontinuation
Lower-dose maintenance preserves most weight loss while reducing side effects and cost. Complete discontinuation leads to 2/3 regain within 12 months for most patients. This calculator builds a step-down protocol to maintenance, not a fast exit.
Your current GLP-1 + weight
Total taper duration: ~76 weeks (~19 months)
Goal: gradually step down to maintenance dose (0.5-1 mg/week). Skip steps if you trip-wire regain.
Hold current dose for 8-12 weeks after reaching goal weight. This consolidates results and lets metabolism adjust.
Monitor appetite return + weight weekly. If you gain >5% of body weight, hold this dose and re-evaluate.
Continue weekly monitoring. Hold dose if regain trip-wire hits.
Continue weekly monitoring. Hold dose if regain trip-wire hits.
Most patients require indefinite low-dose maintenance to prevent regain. Re-evaluate annually with prescriber.
If your weight reaches 189 lbs (+5% of goal) during taper, hold the current dose and re-evaluate. Don\'t continue stepping down. Studies show patients who respond to early regain signals retain 80%+ of weight loss long-term.
Coordinate with your prescriber. This calculator is a framework — your specific taper depends on baseline weight, comorbidities, side-effect history, and insurance coverage. Most prescribers prefer slower tapers (6 weeks per step) for patients with significant GI side effects or anxiety about regain.
For most patients, yes — at a maintenance dose. Studies show 2/3 weight regain within 12 months of complete discontinuation. Lower maintenance doses (e.g., Wegovy 0.5-1.0 mg or Zepbound 5-7.5 mg) preserve most weight loss with reduced side effects and cost.
At least 8-12 weeks after reaching your goal weight at your current dose. This consolidation period lets your metabolism stabilize. Premature taper attempts have 60-75% regain rates depending on how far below goal weight you go.
A predefined weight threshold (typically +5% of goal weight) that signals you should hold your current dose and re-evaluate. Most patients regain successfully respond to early signals by holding dose for 4-8 weeks rather than escalating.
Coordinate with your prescriber. Self-tapering risks: (1) missed insurance refill timing, (2) failure to recognize compounding factors like new medications, (3) loss of clinical safety monitoring. Most prescribers welcome tapering discussions — it shows patient engagement.
Discuss with your prescriber. Some patients successfully transition off after sustained weight loss + behavioral changes + alternative anti-obesity strategies (intensive lifestyle, surgery). Others use intermittent dosing. Plan for active weight monitoring (weekly weigh-ins) for 12+ months post-discontinuation.
Taper guidance is framework-level, not personalized medical advice. Your prescriber knows your full history — coordinate any taper decisions with them. Some patients require slower tapers (6+ weeks per step) for GI tolerance or anxiety management.