Is going on and off GLP1 drugs in short cycles safe?

[ThreadlyDuh]

Here is the timeline of my use of these drugs:

Ozempic April 2023 - July 2023 (reached 1mg, lost the weight then came off it)

Ozempic again after regaining the weight: Jan 2024 - April 2024 (same thing, reached 1mg, lost the weight then quit)

Ozempic, 3rd time: July 2024 - August 2024 (reached 0.5mg then quit, this time due to financial issues)

Mounjaro October 2024 - Feb 2025 (10mg, lost the weight then quit)

Basically, for almost 2 years now I've been in a cycle of going on a GLP1, losing the weight, quitting the drug, regaining the weight, then going back on a GLP1. Is this safe or could I be causing some harm? I ask because I've developed stomach issues lately and I wonder if the GLP1 use was a factor. I want to go back on Ozempic or Mounjaro now because (surprise) I've gained the weight back again.

 

[Nikki nik]

Here is the timeline of my use of these drugs:

Ozempic April 2023 - July 2023 (reached 1mg, lost the weight then came off it)

Ozempic again after regaining the weight: Jan 2024 - April 2024 (same thing, reached 1mg, lost the weight then quit)

Ozempic, 3rd time: July 2024 - August 2024 (reached 0.5mg then quit, this time due to financial issues)

Mounjaro October 2024 - Feb 2025 (10mg, lost the weight then quit)

Basically, for almost 2 years now I've been in a cycle of going on a GLP1, losing the weight, quitting the drug, regaining the weight, then going back on a GLP1. Is this safe or could I be causing some harm? I ask because I've developed stomach issues lately and I wonder if the GLP1 use was a factor. I want to go back on Ozempic or Mounjaro now because (surprise) I've gained the weight back again.

I would pay attention to the stomach issues. I know ozempic is fairly cheap but I'd start checking into some other glp1.

 

[nonyabizznez]

Here is the timeline of my use of these drugs:

Welcome to the forum and thanks for your honesty!

First off what @Nikki nik said! If you're not currently on a GLP it's likely your stomach issues are a medical issue and not the result of a GLP.

You've gained the weight back since February?? How much weight are we talking about here? I'm guessing it's not much based on your brief periods on the med.

I 100% believe that any GLP (including Reta) purchased through the gray market will actually save you money. You order less in restaurants and spend way less on groceries.

Did you find the medication as effective each time you went back on it? If you choose to lose on Tirz again for example you'll be out $7.50/wk at maximum dose (which it doesn't sound like you'll need to reach). Maintenance of 2.5mg or so weekly will cost $1.25/wk. Weight gain costs exponentially more than that. It makes financial sense to take a maintenance dose next time around.

After you figure out what's going on with your stomach

 

[Cantthinkofauserna]

I can’t think of why it wouldn’t be ok to cycle on and off, especially if you eat right and stay hydrated.

Some say staying on GLP-1 forever at a low dose has huge health benefits. For example Dr. Mike from the RP Strength podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rp-strength-podcast/id1486210336?i=1000695493008