Prescription weight loss medicines can help obese people lose weight. They are usually prescribed by a doctor when diet and exercise alone are not working. Each of these medicines works differently. People who use these medicines may not feel as hungry. Or they may feel full after eating only a small amount of food. Another type of weight-loss medicine makes it harder for your body to absorb fat. Prescription weight loss drugs can be helpful when used in combination with a low-calorie diet and regular physical activity. Show Who uses prescription weight loss medicines?Prescription weight-loss medicines are only for people who are obese. Most of these medicines are designed for people who weigh 20% or more above what is ideal for their height and body type. Or they are used with people who have a high body mass index (BMI). The BMI is a measure of your weight in relation to your height. Your doctor may prescribe you medicine to treat your obesity if you have:
Your doctor can tell you if prescription weight-loss medicines might be helpful for you. Path to improved healthPrescription weight-loss medicines generally work in 2 ways. Most work in your body to make you less hungry or feel full faster. One FDA-approved medicine works in your digestive tract. It blocks the amount of fat your body can absorb. Some medicines are approved only for a short period of time, usually no more than 12 weeks. Others can be used long-term. The following are medicines currently approved by the FDA for weight loss. Also included is information on how they work, common side effects, and warnings for each. Orlistat
Orlistat is also available in a lower dose without a prescription. That over-the-counter medicine is called Alli. Orlistat is the only medicine of its kind to be approved in the U.S. The following medicines make you feel less hungry or full faster. They share common side effects, including constipation, dizziness, dry mouth, diarrhea, and nausea. Additional side effects are listed for each medicine. Naltrexone-bupropion
Phentermine-topiramate
Liraglutide
Semiglutide
There are other medicines that can reduce your desire to eat. These include:
These medicines are only FDA-approved to be used short-term, up to 12 weeks. They may only provide temporary weight loss. They have some side effects, too. These include:
You should not use these medicines if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, hyperthyroidism, or glaucoma. You should tell your doctor if you have anxiety or mood disorders before using these medicines. In rare cases, some weight-loss medicines can cause serious liver injury. Call your doctor right away if you notice symptoms of liver injury, including:
Some weight-loss supplements containing ephedra, ephedrine, or caffeine are available without a prescription (over the counter). It is not known whether these medicines are safe. Such supplements have been linked to reports of heart attack, seizure, stroke, and death. It is important to talk to your doctor if you are taking or are considering taking an over-the-counter weight-loss supplement. Things to considerHow can I avoid gaining weight back when I stop using the medicine?There is no easy cure for being overweight. Prescription weight-loss medicines can help you get off to a good start. But once you stop taking them, the weight you lost may come back. To keep the weight off, you must eat a healthy diet and be physically active on a regular basis. You must continue these healthy habits even after you stop taking the medicine. Remember that losing weight and keeping it off is a lifelong effort. How can I lose weight without taking a weight-loss medicine?If you decide weight-loss medicines aren’t right for you, you can still meet your weight-loss goals. It’s important to develop healthy eating habits. But don’t expect to change everything overnight. Start by training yourself to eat without doing anything else at the same time. For example, don’t eat while you watch TV. Focus on what you’re eating. Try to eat slowly. Next, change what and how much you eat. Your doctor can help you create a low-calorie or low-carb diet plan that will help you lose weight. They can offer tips for healthy snacking and portion control. It is also important to be physically active. Regardless of your weight loss goal, the minimum recommended exercise for improving health is 30 minutes 5 times a week (for a total of 150 minutes per week). Regular exercise helps you burn calories faster, even when you are sitting still. Exercise also helps you burn fat and build muscle. Aerobic exercise raises your heart rate and helps you burn calories. Examples of aerobic exercises include swimming, brisk walking, jogging, and bicycling. Anaerobic exercise, such as weight training, is also good because it adds muscle mass to your body. Muscle burns calories faster than fat. Be sure to check with your family doctor before you begin an exercise program. They can help you create an exercise plan that will help you meet your goals. Questions to ask your doctor
ResourcesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention: Healthy Weight, Nutrition, and Physical Activity National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight and Obesity Copyright © American Academy of Family Physicians This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject. |