The Role of Medications in Medical Weight Loss

The Role of Medications in Medical Weight Loss : Weight loss medications or weight loss drugs are medications prescribed to patients to help them lose weight. These medications promote weight loss by suppressing hunger and reducing food cravings and appetite.

For decades, general physicians have prescribed weight loss medications to patients who are obese, overweight, suffer from metabolic syndrome, or have diabetes. These drugs are not miracle drugs but play an essential role in weight management.

In the following sections, we will lay out in detail the role of weight loss medications in weight management.

Who Can Benefit From Weight Loss Medications?

Is everybody eligible to take weight loss medication? The answer is a clear and resounding- No! Weight loss medications are very serious medications. They can be very helpful for people with obesity in the long run.

But at the same time, it has serious implications. Therefore, it shouldn’t be abused and taken under the guidance of a licensed physician. Sadly, this isn’t the case, with many healthy people illegally sourcing drugs like Ozempic to lose weight.

Weight loss medications are most commonly prescribed to people with obesity and diabetes. People who are extremely overweight and suffer from metabolic syndrome can also benefit from this medication if they struggle to manage their weight.

It is important to note that the goal of weight loss medication is to help manage weight and not replace physical exercise or a healthy diet.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle also improves your ability to lose weight and mitigate the side effects of these drugs. In dire situations where people are unable to move because of their excessive weight, bariatric surgery is the only way to lose weight.

However, people do experience weight gain after bariatric surgery. In this case, weight loss medication helps the person lose weight even more quickly.

A doctor tends to prescribe weight loss medication when other avenues to lose weight have failed. Doctors usually perform thorough blood work, study your health history, and check your body mass index before prescribing these drugs.

Generally, a doctor will prescribe medications, like Medical Weight Loss Semaglutide, to people with a BMI greater than 30. Additionally, people with a BMI greater than 27, along with diabetes and high blood pressure, are also prescribed such medications.

Children who fit the above criteria are prescribed weight loss medications that do not hamper their physical growth and development.

The Role Of Weight Loss Medication In Weight Management

Obesity is a complex medical disorder. It can not only lead to poor self-image and consciousness but also a variety of health issues.

The causes of obesity are plentiful. Obesity can be triggered by psychological issues, genetics, hormonal imbalances, and metabolic issues.

Additionally, it is also caused by a sedentary lifestyle with high caloric consumption and low physical activity.

Obesity increases the risk of developing potentially serious health complications. It is the leading cause of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, and fatty liver disease. With proper weight loss management, these issues can be mitigated. Weight loss management strategies usually involve eating a healthy diet and getting regular physical exercise.

However, sometimes this isn’t enough to lose weight. Weight loss management drugs are prescribed to assist people in such situations.

These drugs, along with physical exercise and a healthy diet, help obese people lose weight quicker. This improves their health by lowering blood sugar and blood pressure, alongside other health markers. Accelerated weight loss also improves self-image and reinforces healthy habits.

There are a variety of weight loss medications available in the market. And each of them helps patients manage weight in different ways.

While some medications regulate the production of hunger hormones in the brain, others affect the ability of our body to absorb and process fats. Usually, most of these medications are either administered via pills or injections.

While many weight loss medications are meant for long-term use, your doctor might ask you to stop taking them if the side effects are too severe.

And if you are unable to lose at least 5% of your starting weight within 3 months of taking the medication. In cases where the medication has proven successful, you might be expected to take it for several years before quitting slowly.

Effective Weight Loss Medications

Every patient is different. Their weight gain could have been triggered by different reasons. And it could lead to different health conditions.

Therefore, several weight loss medications are commonly used in weight loss management. Let us discuss them one by one.

Semaglutide

Semaglutide, colloquially known as Ozempic, is a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes. Additionally, it is a popular weight loss drug. It promotes weight loss by imitating an intestinal hormone that promotes the production of insulin.This makes people feel full and lose their appetite. It is intended for long-term weight loss management.
Phentermine and Topiramate

The combination of phentermine and topiramate leads to weight loss. It lowers your appetite by making the food taste less appealing and making you feel full for long periods. It also makes the body burn calories faster.
Tirzepatide

Tirzepatide is not FDA-approved to treat weight loss. However, it is prescribed by doctors to people with high blood sugar and diabetes. As it helps control their blood sugar levels, eventually even managing their weight.
Orlistat

Orlistat is another popular weight loss management drug that makes people feel less hungry. It also hampers the body’s ability to absorb fat from food. It is usually prescribed along with vitamins because it can also hinder the body’s ability to absorb vital nutrients.
Naltrexone-Bupropion

Naltrexone is a drug used to treat opioid and alcohol dependence. On the other hand, bupropion helps people quit smoking and treats depression.

The combination of these two drugs is prescribed to obese patients for weight loss. It does so by making the patient feel satiated longer and reducing feelings of hunger.

Conclusion

Weight loss is a long and arduous journey. But one that is necessary for mental and physical well-being. When taken properly, weight loss medication can positively impact weight loss without any major side effects.

These medications should only be taken under the guidance of a licensed physician, as their side effects can be life-threatening.