Prescription weight-loss medications

medications prescribed for weight loss

Consider the benefits and drawbacks of obesity medicine.

Do you, as an adult, suffer from major health issues as a result of your weight? Have diet and exercise been tried, but you weren't able to lose enough weight? A prescription weight-loss medication by an online doctor might be a possibility for you if you said yes to any of these questions.

However, you should be aware that prescription weight-loss medications are used in conjunction with diet and exercise, not in place of them.

Who should consider taking weight-loss medications?

If you haven't been successful in losing weight with diet and exercise and you fit one of the following criteria, your doctor may recommend a weight-loss medication for you:

You have a body mass index (BMI) above 30.

Your BMI is higher than 27 and you suffer from an obesity-related major medical condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

Your doctor will take into account your medical history and current health issues before choosing a medication for you. Your doctor will then discuss the benefits and drawbacks of prescription weight-loss medications with you.

It's vital to remember that not everyone should use weight-loss medications. For instance, you shouldn't use prescription weight-loss medications if you're attempting to get pregnant, are pregnant, or are nursing a baby.

How effective are weight-loss medications?

In comparison to placebo, prescription weight-reduction medications licensed for long-term usage (greater than 12 weeks) result in noticeable weight loss. Greater weight loss than lifestyle changes alone is achieved when weight loss medications are used in conjunction with them.

That can result in a weight loss of 3% to 7% of the body's total weight over the course of a year in addition to what can be accomplished by lifestyle modifications alone. That can seem like a small sum. However, a steady weight loss of 5% to 10% can have significant health advantages, such as reducing triglyceride, blood sugar, and blood pressure levels.

What to know about weight-loss medications

Common mild side effects include nausea, constipation, and diarrhea. They might become better with time. Serious adverse effects can occasionally happen. It's crucial to extensively go over treatment alternatives with your doctor for this reason.

The cost of weight-loss medications can be high, and insurance may not always cover them. Inquire about coverage from your insurance provider.

When they stop using weight-loss medications, many people put some of the weight they previously lost back on. Adopting healthy lifestyle practices, however, may reduce weight growth.

How long is drug treatment effective?

Whether or whether a weight-loss medication works for you determines how long you'll take it. Your doctor could advise you to continue taking the medication indefinitely if you've lost enough weight to enhance your health and you haven't experienced any severe side effects.

After three to six months on the recommended dosage of a medication, if you haven't lost at least 5% of your body weight, your doctor will likely adjust your therapy and possibly move you to a different weight-loss medication.

Which medications are authorized for weight loss?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized the following four weight-loss medications for long-term use:

Bupropion-naltrexone (Contrave)

Liraglutide (Saxenda)

Orlistat (Xenical)

Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia)

The majority of prescription weight-loss medications function by reducing appetite or heightening feelings of fullness. Some people combine the two. Orlistat is an exception. It functions by preventing the absorption of fat.

Bupropion-naltrexone

A combo medication is bupropion and naltrexone. Addiction to alcohol and opioids is treated with naltrexone. Antidepressant and help for quitting smoking, bupropion. Bupropion contains the same suicide risk warning as all other antidepressants. Blood pressure needs to be monitored when bupropion-naltrexone treatment first begins since it can cause an increase. Constipation, headaches, and nausea are typical adverse effects.

Liraglutide

Diabetes can also be managed with liraglutide. Liraglutide is an injection-only weight-loss medication, unlike other medications. A common complaint is nausea. Its use may be restricted by nausea.

Orlistat

Additionally, a weaker version of orlistat without a prescription is offered (Alli). Flatulence and loose stools are two unfavorable gastrointestinal side effects that might be brought on by orlistat. When using this medication, a low-fat diet is required. There have been a few isolated reports of significant liver damage caused by orlistat. But no cause-and-effect connection has been proven.

Phentermine-topiramate

Combining phentermine, a weight-loss medication, with topiramate, an anticonvulsant (topiramate). Due to the fact that phentermine behaves like an amphetamine, it has the potential to be abused. Other negative effects could include anxiety, sleeplessness, diarrhea, and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. The risk of birth abnormalities is raised with topiramate.

The weight loss drug phentermine alone (Adipex-P, Lomaira) is also employed. It is one of four comparable weight-loss medications authorized for short-term use (less than 12 weeks). Other medications in this class aren't frequently prescribed.

The conclusion

Drugs for weight loss are not a simple solution. However, they might support you in making the required lifestyle adjustments to reduce weight and enhance your health.