If you are thinking about stopping a GLP-1 medicine, make that a conversation with the person who prescribes it. This guide cannot tell you whether or how to stop. Do not stop or change treatment based on a general article, a social-media account, or another person’s experience. This is particularly important if you use the medicine for type 2 diabetes or take other medicines that affect blood glucose.
Write down why you want to discuss stopping
Be direct about what has changed. Your reason might involve side effects, cost, access, pregnancy plans, another health issue, a procedure, a change in priorities, or uncertainty about the ongoing plan. Note when the concern began and what you have already discussed with a pharmacist or healthcare professional. Bring the medicine packet or official patient leaflet so the exact product is clear.
Bring the treatment context
Record the medicine name and device, when treatment started, your current prescribed instructions, relevant symptoms, and all other medicines, vitamins and supplements you use. If you have diabetes, include any monitoring information your clinician has asked you to keep. A short timeline of changes, appointments and symptoms can help the prescriber understand the decision in context.
Questions to take to the appointment
Ask what needs to be considered before any change, what follow-up or monitoring may be needed, and who to contact if you have questions between appointments. Ask how the plan relates to the condition for which the medicine was prescribed and to your other medicines. The answer is individual, so use the official patient information and the prescriber’s advice rather than applying a plan meant for someone else.
Do not wait with urgent concerns
If you have severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, think you are having a serious side effect, or are worried about an immediate safety issue, seek urgent medical help. For a planned treatment discussion, arrange the appointment before making a change yourself.
Medical information varies by treatment, country, and personal circumstances. Follow the official information supplied with your medicine and the advice of your prescriber; do not use this article as a stopping plan.