For adults with serious obesity, prescription weight-loss drugs can be a big help. They are used when diet and exercise alone haven’t worked enough. These medicines are prescribed by doctors to be part of a healthy lifestyle for lasting results.
If your BMI is over 30, or over 27 with health problems from obesity, you might benefit. These drugs can make you eat less, feel full sooner, or block fat from food.
There are many FDA-approved weight loss meds. Bupropion-naltrexone, Liraglutide, Orlistat, Phentermine-topiramate, Semaglutide, and Setmelanotide are some of them. Studies show they are safe and helpful for those who need to lose weight.
Semaglutide (Wegovy) and Liraglutide (Saxenda) stand out for big weight loss rates. They can help lose up to 15% and 10% of your body weight. Phentermine alone might help you lose about 5%. When combined with Topiramate, it can curb your appetite effectively. Orlistat, used with a diet that’s low in calories, can also help you lose around 5% of your weight.
Always use these medicines under a doctor’s care. They could cause nausea, constipation, or headache. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons to find what’s best for you.
New medicines and more research mean better options for doctors to treat their patients. Used along with a good diet and exercise, these drugs can help lose 3% to 12% of your body weight in a year. This is more than you can expect with just lifestyle changes.
Weight-loss drugs can support those finding it hard to lose weight and get healthier. Remember, talking with a doctor is key to safe and personalized treatment.
Who Can Take Weight-Loss Drugs?
Weight-loss drugs are for adults who can’t lose weight by changing their diet and being more active. They must also fit certain criteria. For instance, their BMI should be over 30, which shows they are obese. Or, if their BMI is over 27, they should have other health issues like diabetes or high blood pressure.
Doctors look at a person’s health background and problems before suggesting weight-loss drugs. Not everyone can or should use these drugs, especially if they’re pregnant or nursing. It’s really important to talk to your doctor about your situation before trying these drugs.
These drugs are for people who have tried everything to lose weight without success. If you need extra help to reach your weight loss goals, talk to your doctor. They will check if these drugs could be right for you.
How Well Do Weight-Loss Drugs Work?
Weight-loss drugs work well when used with diet and exercise changes. They can help people lose more body weight than just diet and exercise in studies. This extra weight loss might be from 3% to 12%.
Losing only 5% to 10% of your weight can bring big health benefits. It helps lower your blood pressure, blood sugar, and bad cholesterol.
But, how well these drugs work can vary by person. Some drugs might work better for some than others. Each one also has its own good effects and possible bad side effects. For instance, a drug called phentermine-topiramate could raise your heart rate and blood pressure. Another drug, semaglutide, might make you feel sick or cause diarrhea.
Weight-loss drugs should be part of a bigger plan. This plan includes taking the medicine, eating well, and being active regularly. Medicines alone won’t solve your weight issue. But, they can definitely help if you use them right along with healthy habits.
Benefits of Weight-Loss Drugs:
- Lead to greater weight loss when combined with lifestyle changes
- Lower blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and triglycerides
- Help achieve a 5% to 10% reduction in total body weight
- Improve overall health and well-being
Weight-loss drugs can help, but they also might cause side effects. It’s smart to talk to a doctor before starting them. Not everyone should use these drugs. They might not be safe if you’re taking other medicines or have certain health conditions.
What You Should Know About Weight-Loss Drugs
Weight-loss drugs can help people lose a lot of weight. But, let’s talk about risks first. They could cause mild issues like nausea and headaches. But, sometimes, they might lead to more serious problems, which are rare.
Before taking any weight-loss medication, it’s vital to talk to your doctor. They can help you understand the benefits and risks. This way, you can pick the best medicine for you.
Also, think about the price of these drugs. They can be costly, and not all insurance covers them. Always check if you’re covered. You may also find some savings programs to help with the cost.
It’s key to know that the weight you lose might come back. So, it’s vital to keep up with healthy habits. This means eating well and staying active for the long haul.
Each weight-loss drug works for a different time. If you don’t see a big weight loss after a while, talk to your doctor. You might need to try a new approach.
Currently, six drugs are approved for long-term weight loss by the FDA. They all work in unique ways. Some make you feel less hungry, while others help you feel full or absorb less fat.
Using these drugs should always go hand in hand with eating right and staying active. They are mainly for people with certain health issues linked to obesity.
In the end, weight-loss drugs can be a good help if you find it hard to lose weight by other means. But, remember the need to stay informed and live healthily. This is what keeps off the weight you’ve lost for good.
How Long Do I Take a Weight-Loss Drug?
The length of time you take a weight-loss drug varies. It depends on you and the drug you use. Prescription weight-loss drugs, used over 12 weeks, can help a lot. They might help you lose 3% to 12% of your body weight in a year.
If a drug helps you lose weight and is safe, you might take it for a long time. It’s best when you also make lifestyle changes like eating healthier and exercising. Together, these changes and the drug can help you lose more weight than just the drug alone.
If a drug doesn’t work well after 3 to 6 months, your doctor might try a different one. This is to see if another drug might better help you. They want to find what works best for you.
Always listen to your doctor and check how well the drug is working. Your health team is there to help you find the best way to lose weight. They want you to succeed.
What Drugs Are Approved for Weight Loss?
For weight loss, the FDA has approved several medicines for long-term use. These drugs went through strict tests to make sure they’re safe and work well for losing weight. Here’s a list of these FDA-approved weight loss drugs:
- Bupropion-naltrexone (Contrave) – A mix of two drugs, this helps lower appetite and the want for food.
- Liraglutide (Saxenda) – This is a drug that controls hunger and helps you lose weight.
- Orlistat (Xenical, Alli) – Blocks fat uptake, cutting down on calories and aiding weight loss.
- Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia) – Suppresses appetite and increases satisfaction from eating, leading to eating less.
- Semaglutide (Wegovy) – Works similarly to Liraglutide to manage hunger and reduce weight.
- Setmelanotide (Imcivree) – For those over 6 with certain genes that cause obesity, it controls hunger and aids weight loss.
These FDA-approved drugs for weight loss have varied mechanisms. They can reduce your desire for food, make you feel full, or prevent fat absorption. It’s essential to talk to your doctor before choosing a medication. They’ll consider your specific health conditions and goals. This helps to pick the best drug for you and avoid possible side effects.
How Do Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists Work?
GLP-1 receptor agonists, like semaglutide (Wegovy) and liraglutide (Saxenda), help with obesity and type 2 diabetes. They copy the work of GLP-1, a hormone in our gut.
GLP-1 agonists do many things:
- They get the pancreas to make insulin. This then lowers blood sugar.
- They stop too much glucagon. Glucagon can raise blood sugar, so this helps manage it better.
- They slow down how fast our stomachs empty. This makes blood sugar spikes after eating less likely.
- They tell the brain we’re full. This helps us eat less.
These actions help control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. By boosting insulin and keeping blood sugar more stable, they improve overall blood sugar control.
These drugs also help lose weight. Making you feel full and eat less, plus slowing down stomach emptying, based on studies, can cut calories and shed weight for those with type 2 diabetes or obesity.
There are more good news.
GLP-1 agonists, such as semaglutide and liraglutide, can help the heart too. They make blood pressure and cholesterol better, which lowers the chance of heart problems.
But, don’t take them with insulin or some other diabetes drugs. This could drop your blood sugar too low and be risky. Anyone with diabetes should talk to their doctor about the right way to use these drugs.
Other Weight Loss Medication Options
Apart from the FDA-approved weight loss pills, there are other choices available. These can be used for specific cases or for a short time. Phentermine, for example, helps you lose weight fast, but you shouldn’t take it for too long, usually under 12 weeks. This pill reduces your appetite, making you feel full so you eat less. Doctors often pair it with eating fewer calories and more exercise to boost weight loss.
Another option is using more than one pill together, like phentermine-topiramate. This combo pill, known as Qsymia, mixes two meds. One helps you eat less, the other cuts food cravings. It targets more than one way to help you lose weight.
Before picking a weight loss pill, talk to your doctor. They’ll help you find what works best for you based on your weight, health, and goals. Different meds suit different people, so it’s best to get expert advice.
Some weight loss aids, like orlistat, don’t need a prescription. Orlistat, sold as Alli, stops your body from absorbing some fats. But, always check with your doctor first. They can make sure any pill you take is the right choice and used safely.
Image related to alternative weight loss medications:
There are many weight loss options out there, from prescriptions to pills you can buy on your own. Yet, remember that these aids are just that — aids. To really lose weight and keep it off, focus on eating well and staying active along with any medication you take.
Conclusion
Using weight loss medications can be a good idea for adults dealing with obesity. They help when other methods alone haven’t brought desired results. Working along with a proper diet and regular exercise, these medicines can lead to big changes in weight and health. But, it’s best to consult a healthcare provider first. They can advise on the best medicine for each person’s specific needs.
It’s good to know what to expect when taking these medicines. Some people might only feel a bit sick or get a headache. But, others could face more severe issues. Costs and how long one uses these medicines can differ, especially based on medical insurance. Discuss if long-term use is needed with your healthcare provider.
Weight-loss meds are just one part of the solution. True success comes from living a healthy life daily, which means eating well and staying active. Making these changes is vital for keeping off the lost weight, even after stopping the medicines.
Overall, weight loss medications can be a real help in getting healthier. Teamed with the advice of experts and a whole lifestyle change, they aid in reaching weight goals. This can really boost not just weight loss efforts, but general well-being too.
