Obesity is the most common disease in the United States. It is responsible for creating or exacerbating 7 out of the 10 leading causes of death in this country (Heart disease, Cancer, stroke, Diabetes, Kidney failure, Liver failure, Alzheimer’s). So, managing it properly is necessary for a healthy and prolonged life. However, treating obesity goes beyond just diet and exercise. Weight loss medication might be the right tool to achieve weight loss goals.
Are you dealing with health problems because of excess weight?
Have you tried to lose weight by eating and exercising without success?
Is your body mass index (BMI) above 27?
Consult a specialist, take weight loss drugs, a healthy diet, and exercise. This will help you remove your obesity-related problems and achieve a healthier life.
What is Weight Loss Medication?
Weight loss medications are drugs used by a specialist for patients suffering from obesity and obesity-related problems.
These drugs help individuals lose weight by altering the metabolism, which might be seen as appetite suppression, increased satiety, or altered calorie absorption.
These obesity treatment drugs help you achieve long-term weight loss and maintenance.
Non-surgical weight loss options are sometimes used in coordination with weight loss surgery.
Who is eligible for weight loss medication?
Doctors usually prescribe weight loss medications if you haven’t been able to lose weight with just diet and exercise. This usually happens if:
Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is over 30, which means you’re suffering from obesity.
Your BMI is over 27, and you also have a metabolic disease, like diabetes or high blood pressure.
Doctors will look at your previous health history and any ongoing medical issues before prescribing any obesity treatment drugs.
The specialist explains weight loss medication, its benefits, associated risks, and expectations. So you can decide whether this is a good option for you.
These medications aren’t right for everyone. You should not take them if you’re pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding.
So, this is a weight loss prescription for adults with a BMI of over 30 or over 27 with an obesity related disease.
How effective are weight loss drugs?
If your BMI is less than 35, weight loss medications tend to provide an adequate weight loss. Depending on the medication and the excess weight, most patients experience a 5-18% reduction in body weight within a few months.
The effectiveness of the weight loss drugs can also be influenced by genetics, age, gender, diet and exercise.
These weight loss medications can improve your health by lowering your blood pressure, improving blood sugar levels, and reducing triglycerides and cholesterol levels in your blood.
What You Should Know About Weight-Loss Drugs?
Before starting any weight loss medications, it’s crucial to understand:
- They need to be taken for life. Weight regain might occur if medicines for weight loss are held. This is because obesity “can return” once the medication is stopped.
- They also have mild side effects like nausea, vomiting, reflux, bloating, constipation, or diarrhoea. In rare cases, severe side effects occur. But these usually improve over time.
- These drugs are also costly, and not all insurance plans cover them. We will do our best to work with your insurance to see what’s included in your coverage.
- Weight loss tends to be insufficient with higher levels of excess weight
How Do Weight Loss Medications Work?
Prescription weight loss drugs target how your body controls hunger and fullness and processes food. Depending on the medication, they may:
- Metabolism gets activated, promoting the use of fat reserves.
- Reduce your appetite so you feel full sooner and eat less.
- Control cravings to help with anxious or binge eating.
- Decrease the absorption of calories.
- Regulate blood sugar to prevent energy spikes and crashes that lead to overeating.
Some of the most effective options today include weight loss injections, which are usually given weekly. These injections mimic hormones your body naturally makes to control appetite and activate metabolism. They send signals to your brain that say, “I’m full,” helping you eat less without feeling deprived.
When combined with healthy eating and regular exercise, prescription weight-loss medications can lead to meaningful, long-term weight loss.
These treatments aren’t one-size-fits-all, so your doctor will help you choose the best option based on your health history and weight loss goals.
What Are the Most Commonly Prescribed Drugs for Weight Loss?
FDA-Approved Prescription Weight Loss Medications: What You Need to Know
If you’re struggling with obesity or have a high BMI, prescription weight loss drugs may be an option. The FDA has approved several medications for long-term use in adults with a BMI over 30 or a BMI over 27 if you have weight-related health issues like high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the best medications for weight loss currently available:
- Bupropion-naltrexone (Contrave)
- Liraglutide (Saxenda)
- Orlistat (Xenical, Alli)
- Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia)
- Semaglutide (Wegovy/Ozempic)
- Tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound)
1. Bupropion-Naltrexone (Contrave)
This is a combination medication that helps reduce hunger and cravings. It mixes two drugs—bupropion, an anxiolytic and antidepressant, and naltrexone, used to treat opioid overdose.
- How it works: It acts as an appetite suppressant medication by affecting brain parts that control hunger and reward.
- Side effects: Nausea, headache, constipation. It can raise blood pressure, so regular monitoring is essential.
- Warning: Like other antidepressants, it may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts in some people. They might also lower the seizure threshold.
2. Liraglutide (Saxenda)
Originally used to treat diabetes, this GLP-1 weight loss medication is taken as a daily injection.
- How it works: Mimics is a hormone that helps you feel full longer and slows digestion.
- Side effects: Nausea is common; vomiting can occur and may lead some to stop using it.
3. Orlistat (Xenical, Alli)
This medication works differently in prescription and over-the-counter (as Alli).
- How it works: It blocks your body from absorbing some fat in food.
- Side effects: Loose stools, gas, and urgent bowel movements—especially if you eat a high-fat diet.
- Note: Very rarely have serious liver issues been reported, but no direct link has been confirmed.
4. Phentermine-Topiramate (Qsymia)
This is a powerful combination of two medications—phentermine, an appetite suppressant, and topiramate, which is used to treat seizures.
- How it works: Helps reduce hunger and control overeating.
- Side effects: Increased heart rate, insomnia, constipation, nervousness. Kidney stones
- Important: Topiramate can cause congenital disabilities, so it’s not recommended during pregnancy.
Phentermine for obesity is also available independently (as Adipex-P or Lomaira) but only for short-term use (less than 12 weeks). It’s similar to amphetamines and can be habit-forming.
5. Semaglutide (Wegovy/Ozempic)
This is one of the most talked-about weight loss injections today. Originally for diabetes, semaglutide for weight loss is now FDA-approved as a weekly shot for obesity.
- How it works: Glucagon-like peptide 1r GLP-1 weight loss medication is a hormone that activates metabolism while simultaneously reducing appetite and helps you feel full longer. Resulting in 10-12% of total body weight loss
- Side effects: Nausea, diarrhoea, stomach pain, headache, tiredness.
6. Tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound)
This is one of the most talked-about weight loss injections today. Originally for diabetes, tirzepatide for weight loss is now FDA-approved as a weekly shot for obesity.
- How it works: Glucagon-like peptide 1 GLP-1 and Gastric Inhibitory Peptide (GIP) weight loss medication are hormones that activate metabolism while simultaneously reducing appetite and helping you feel full longer. Resulting in 15-18% of total body weight loss
- Side effects: Nausea, diarrhoea, stomach pain, headache, tiredness.
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