You've reached your target weight: amazing! So, what happens next?
It’s time to switch your focus to weight loss maintenance – though you might have some questions first. Can you stay on your chosen weight loss pill long-term? And, if you've been using injections, can you switch to the pill to keep the weight off?
Our expert guide covers everything you need to know about weight loss pills and maintenance, so you can make the right decision for your journey.
Three key takeaways
Once you've hit your goal weight, the Wegovy pill and Foundayo can be used to maintain it.
You don't always need the highest dose to maintain. The maintenance dose of Foundayo can range from anywhere between 5.5mg-17.2mg, but with the Wegovy pill, the aim is to reach and stay on 25mg.
Switching from injections to pills is possible. If you're moving to Foundayo, you'll always start at the lowest dose, but with the Wegovy pill, you may be able to start at a higher dose depending on your current injection dose.
Can you use weight loss pills for maintenance?
Yes, you can use weight loss pills for maintenance. Once you've reached your target weight, staying on a weight loss pill can be a convenient way to maintain your weight long-term, especially if you'd rather not use injections.
Your prescriber will look at your weight, health, and how you've responded to treatment so far, then talk you through whether you should maintain on your current dose, or whether dropping to a lower dose might work better for you.
Everyone's different, but you're usually ready for maintenance once you've reached your goal weight and don’t wish to lose any more.
The maintenance phase can also describe when you’re currently using the highest dose of your medication, and your weight loss has plateaued.
It's a good time to ask yourself whether you want to keep losing weight, or if you're happy to maintain the weight you’re at now.
Weight loss pills maintenance doses
While Wegovy pills and Foundayo are similar, they're a little different when it comes to their maintenance doses.
Wegovy pills
With Wegovy pills, the manufacturer recommends that the 25mg dose be used as the maintenance dose. You'd start at 1.5mg and gradually build up each month to 4mg, then 9mg, before reaching 25mg.
The lower doses are designed as stepping stones rather than long-term options, so they're not typically used for maintenance.
However, if you're struggling to tolerate 25mg, or are continuing to lose weight past your goal weight, your prescriber might suggest maintaining at a lower dose of the Wegovy pill.
Foundayo
Foundayo gives you more flexibility, as there's more than one dose you could stay on for maintenance. It comes in six strengths:
0.8mg
2.5mg
5.5mg
9mg
14.5mg
17.2mg
You don't have to reach the maximum 17.2mg dose to keep your weight steady, though, so if you're doing well on 5.5mg or 9mg, your prescriber may be happy for you to stay there.
Can you switch from injections to pills for maintenance?
“Yes, you can switch from injections to pills for maintenance. Our clinicians will decide what the best starting dose will be based on the dose of the treatment you are currently using, your response to that treatment, and how well you’ve tolerated GLP-1 type treatments in the past.”
5 signs weight loss pills are right for your maintenance journey
Weight loss pills aren't the right fit for everyone, but for some people, they can make maintenance far easier to stick to. Here are five signs they could be a good option for you.
You don't like injections
Some people just don't like needles, and that's okay! If injecting has been hard for you, or you’ve been getting injection site reactions, switching to tablets for maintenance takes that worry away entirely.
You already take daily tablets
If you're used to taking medication every morning, adding one more tablet to your routine is easy. It slots into a habit you've already got, making you less likely to forget to take it.
Pills can work out to be cheaper than injections, though it depends on the type of treatment and the dose you're on.
If cost has been an important factor in whether you continue with maintenance or not, it's definitely a conversation worth having with your prescriber.
You travel a lot
Tablets are far simpler to pack if you're a frequent traveller. There's no cool bag, no sharps bin, and no worrying about airport security or fridge space when you get there.
Plus, Foundayo can be taken at any time of day, with or without food, so time zones are less of a headache.
You have a busy lifestyle
Injecting takes longer than popping a pill. You need to factor time into your schedule with an injection, but with a tablet, it takes seconds. Consistency matters while you're on treatment, too. If it's inconvenient, you're more likely to miss doses.
How Chemist4U can help with maintenance
Reaching your goal weight isn't the end of your treatment journey with us, and you don't have to work out the next step on your own.
Our clinicians can review your treatment so far, talk you through whether a maintenance dose is right for you, and help you decide between staying on your current treatment or switching to a pill.
If you do switch, they'll guide you on the correct dosage and what to expect in those first few weeks.
Frequently asked questions about weight loss pills and maintenance
What happens if I stop taking weight loss pills?
Once you stop taking weight loss pills, your appetite will return to what it was before treatment, making weight regain more likely.
Don't worry too much, though, as it isn't inevitable – you'll just need to rely on the healthy habits you adopted while on treatment, like changes to your diet and exercise, to help prevent it.
If you're thinking about stopping your weight loss treatment, always speak to your prescriber beforehand.
Can I switch back to injections from pills?
Yes. Some people find weight loss injections suit them better, whether that's because of side effects, cost, or simply preferring a weekly dose to a daily one.
Your prescriber will advise you on which dose to start on and when to take it, as you may not need to begin at the lowest strength again.
If I stop taking weight loss pills, can I start again on the same dose?
It depends on how long you've been off treatment. A short gap of a few days usually isn't a problem, but if you've missed seven days or more in a row, you'd need to check with your prescriber before restarting.
After a longer break, you'll often need to titrate up again to give your body time to readjust and to reduce the risk of any side effects coming back.
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