Medications for weight loss management

‍Weight loss journey

The first thing you always have to keep in mind is that weight loss is a lifestyle it’s not just a matter of taking a magic pill or getting surgery done. You have to be prepared to change your life for the better and start going down the road of becoming a health-conscious person. This includes scheduling that first appointment with your doctor to discuss your needs and set up a plan, then adhering to a consistent schedule of following up with your doctor.

You’ll commonly hear the phrase all diets work, yet all diets fail. You have to calibrate the right diet for you and make it part of your lifestyle, for more information on how to start eating better read our article on diets here.

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Can Medication Used as an Obesity Treatment?

‍The answer to this question is unequivocally yes, and they do this by offsetting the physiological adaptations that drive weight loss resistance and promote weight gain.

Weight loss can trigger a complex set of neuroendocrine and physiologic responses which may intensify as you continue to lose weight. These mechanisms often act in a counterproductive manner; meaning they may slow or even halt weight loss. In some cases, the response may induce weight gain.
As we touched upon previously, having a healthy diet and maintaining it goes a long way to improving your weight control. However, some patients still experience difficulty with resisting those pesky cravings and that’s where Anti-obesity medications can counteract the driving forces behind cravings and unhealthy eating behaviors.

With that being said we recommend and remind our patients to always take medications as prescribed. Even if you experience mild side effects, continue taking the prescribed medication and allow time for your body to adjust. Oftentimes, mild side effects will resolve themselves after a week or so. However, If you have moderate to severe side effects, stop taking your medication and contact your doctor Immediately.

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Common Medications Used to Treat Obesity

• Qsymia, a combination of phentermine and extended-release topiramate, is FDA-approved for long-term usage. Qsymia is not typically covered by insurance and costs approximately $98 per month.
  To lower the cost for our patients, we prescribe separate doses of phentermine (one half tablet in the morning) and topiramate (one tablet in the evening). Dosages may be adjusted over time. Topiramate will not cause headaches or seizures, but Topiramate may be used to treat migraine headaches and seizures. Many studies show that Topiramate can decrease sugar cravings.
  There is an extended-release form of Topiramate that is associated with less severe side effects. However, it can be more expensive and is typically not covered by insurance.
  
  

• Metformin is an FDA-approved treatment for Type II diabetes. Metformin has also been used to treat obesity, insulin resistance, fatty liver disease, and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Metformin regulates blood sugar levels, but will not cause low or high blood sugar. 
  Common side effects include nausea, constipation, and/or diarrhea. It is recommended that patients take Metformin with food to avoid experiencing side effects. An extended-release form of Metformin may be prescribed to patients experiencing side effects with the normal-release form.

• Ozempic is an FDA-approved, weekly injection, used to treat Type II diabetes. Ozempic is also used for treating obesity, however, it can be expensive and may not be covered by all insurance providers.
• Contrave (Bupropion/Naltrexone) was previously used for alcohol cessation and depression but is now FDA-approved for weight loss because of its effects on promoting satiety, reducing caloric intake, and increasing calorie burning. It is a tablet that’s taken orally once daily
• Liraglutide (Saxenda) is an FDA-approved injection, similar to Ozempic. However, Liragutide is taken daily.
• Zepbound (tirzepatide) is an FDA-approved injection, similar to Ozempic and is also given once weekly

To learn more about how to effectively plan out your weight loss journey book an appointment and consult your doctor on which medication would be best suited for you.