medical weight loss drugs


Medical Weight Loss Drugs 

Introduction

Are you an adult who, as result of your weight, is experiencing severe health issues? Have you tried dieting and working out, but your attempts to lose weight have been insufficient? A medical weight-loss medication might be an option for you if the answer to any of these questions is yes.

Medication prescribed by a medical professional is known as a prescription drug. Unlike over-the-counter medications, they cannot be purchased from a drugstore shelf.

Simply put, you should take medical weight-loss medications in addition to a balanced diet and regular exercise, not in place of them.

Who may use drugs for weight loss?

Certain circumstances may lead your healthcare provider to recommend a prescription weight-loss medication. These circumstances include: unable to lose weight with diet and exercise; body mass index (BMI) greater than 30; living with an obesity-related condition involving excess body fat; BMI greater than 27; and having a major obesity-related medical condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Prior to prescribing a medication, your healthcare provider considers your medical history and health issues. Then, the provider discusses the benefits and drawbacks of prescription weight-loss medications with you.

Some people shouldn't use these drugs. For instance, if you are trying to conceive, already pregnant, or nursing a baby, you should not take prescription weight-loss medication.

How effective are weight loss drugs?

Long-term medical weight-loss medications cause significant weight loss when compared to a placebo, which is an ineffective treatment that doesn't involve medication. More weight is lost when weight-loss medication and lifestyle modifications are combined than when lifestyle modifications are done alone.

Over the course of a year, taking these medications may result in a 3% to 12% increase in total weight loss over lifestyle modifications alone. It might not seem like much. However, maintaining your weight loss after losing 5–10% of your body weight can have significant health advantages. For instance, it can reduce blood pressure, blood sugar, and triglyceride levels—a type of blood fat.

Things you should know about medical weight-loss drugs

Common mild side effects include nausea, constipation, and diarrhoea. With time, they might diminish. Serious side effects are extremely rare. It's crucial to enquire about all available treatment options from your healthcare provider because of this. And enquire about each drug's potential advantages and disadvantages.

Drugs for weight loss can be costly, and insurance may not always cover the cost. Inquire about your coverage with your insurance provider.

When they stop using weight-loss medications, many people gain back some of the weight they had lost. However, adopting healthy lifestyle practices might prevent weight gain.

How long should I take a medication to lose weight?

Whether a medication aids in weight loss will determine how long you take it. Your doctor might advise you to take the medication for the long term if you've dropped enough weight to improve your health and you haven't experienced any major side effects.

Your doctor will likely adjust your treatment if, after taking a medication for three to six months at its recommended dosage, you haven't lost at least five percent of your body weight. They might move you to a different medication for weight loss.

Which medications are approved for weight loss?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved six medications for weight loss for long-term use:
  • Bupropion-naltrexone (Contrave)
  • Liraglutide (Saxenda)
  • Orlistat (Xenical, Alli)
  • Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia)
  • Semaglutide (Wegovy)
  • Setmelanotide (Imcivree)
In order for most prescription weight-loss medications to function, you must feel less hungry or full. Some people combine the two. Orlistat is an exception. It has an impact on how your body processes fat.

Bupropion-naltrexone

A combination medication is bupropion and naltrexone. Addiction to alcohol and opioids is treated with naltrexone. Bupropion is marketed as both an antidepressant (used to treat depression) and a quit-smoking aid (used to help people quit smoking). Similar to other antidepressants, bupropion has a warning regarding the risk of suicide. Blood pressure can increase with bupropion-naltrexone. Thus, at the beginning of your treatment, your provider will need to take your blood pressure on a regular basis. Constipation, headaches, and nausea are typical side effects.

Liraglutide

Diabetes is also managed with iraglutide. It is injected once a day. One common complaint is nausea. Its use may be limited by vomiting.

Orlistat

Additionally, reduced-strength orlistat is available over-the-counter (Alli). The side effects of orlistat can include loose stools and gas. When using this medication, a low-fat diet is required. Rarely, orlistat use has resulted in significant liver damage in patients. However, the drug has not been shown to cause liver damage, according to research.

Phentermine-topiramate 

The combination of the anticonvulsant topiramate and the weight-loss medication phentermine is known as phentermine-topiramate. Because it functions similarly to an amphetamine, a stimulant drug, phentermine has the potential to be abused. Anxiety, constipation, sleeplessness, and elevated blood pressure are additional potential adverse effects. Birth defects are made more likely by topiramate.

For weight loss, phentermine alone (Adipex-P, Lomaira) is also used. This weight-loss medication is one of four that are approved for short-term use, or less than 12 weeks. It is rare to prescribe the other medications in this class.

Semaglutide

Another medication used to help manage type 2 diabetes is semaglutide. You administer it as a weekly treatment for obesity.

It may result in adverse effects like:
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Belly pain
  • Headache
  • Tiredness

Setmelanotide

Only individuals aged 6 and above who suffer from obesity as a result of one of these uncommon genetic conditions is setmelanotide approved by the FDA:
  • Pro-opiomelanocortin deficiency
  • Proprotein subtilisin-kexin type 1 deficiency
  • Leptin receptor deficiency
You'll need test results proving you have one of these conditions before you can start taking the medication. None of the genetic disorders causing these conditions are treated by setmelanotide. It can, however, aid in weight loss. It can help you feel fuller and reduce appetite. Additionally, it might facilitate calorie burning during rest.

Setmelanotide is taken as a daily injection. One of its potential side effects is:
  • Swollen or irritated skin where the needle went in
  • Patches of darker skin
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Belly pain
  • Unwanted sexual reactions
  • Depression
  • Suicidal thoughts
Never give setmelanotide to a child younger than six years old. Babies and new babies may have harmful reactions to it.

Conclusion 

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