Medications can be very effective in achieving weight loss. We now have more options than just a few years ago.
Lifestyle changes are crucial in achieving health and results in losing weight and keeping it off. There are many challenges and periods in life where it’s much easier to gain weight and find it far more challenging to lose weight and keep it off. These include stressful periods such as new job, moving to a new city, shedding baby weight, and gaining weight during the peri menopause and menopause transitions for women, to name just a few.
Medications can be used safely and effectively to lose weight. They can be part of a personalized weight loss plan for you. We know that excess pounds are detrimental to our health, and to that end- medications to treat obesity have become part of a comprehensive weight loss plan used by physicians to help patients.
Medications for weight loss
- Phentermine
- Orlistat
- Adipex
- Contrave
- Qsymia
- Ozempic
- Wegovy
- Mounjaro
Some of these medications are the same with different brand names- Semaglutide is the drug used in both Ozempic and Wegovy. Phentermine is used as one of the active meds in Qsymia.
- Ozempic is FDA approved to treat type 2 diabetes.
- Wegovy is FDA approved to treat overweight and obesity
- Mounjaro or tirzepatide is FDA approved to treat type 2 diabetes.
Both Mounjaro and Ozempic are prescribed off-label for obesity treatment.
Because these medications have potential for serious side effects, and interactions, they must only be prescribed by a physician as part of a closely monitored weight loss option.
All three drugs work similarly- they help stimulate insulin release from the pancreas when blood sugar levels are high, and delay gastric emptying, which in turn makes you feel less hungry.
NEWS is a good acronym to keep in mind when losing weight- nutrition, exercise, water and sleep. They are all important as part of a weight loss program.
Side effects of these meds will be discussed in a future blog.
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Disclaimer- the information provided in this blog is not meant to replace the recommendations and advise of your physician.
