Are you an adult who has serious health problems because of your weight? Have you tried diet and exercise but haven’t been able to lose enough weight? If you answered yes to these questions, a prescription weight-loss drug may be a choice for you.
At Melamed Weight & Wellness in Deerfield, IL, we offer personalized medical weight-loss treatments, including prescription weight-loss drugs, to help you achieve and maintain your ideal weight. In this blog, we’ll explore who can take weight-loss drugs, how they work, and what you need to know about them.
Who Can Take Weight-Loss Drugs?
Prescription weight-loss drugs are not for everyone. Your healthcare provider may suggest a weight-loss drug for you if you haven’t been able to lose weight through diet and exercise and your:
- Body mass index (BMI) is greater than 30: This indicates obesity.
- BMI is greater than 27 and you have a serious medical problem linked to obesity, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
Before choosing a medicine for you, your healthcare provider will consider your medical history and health challenges. Then, they will discuss the pros and cons of prescription weight-loss drugs. These drugs are not suitable for everyone, especially if you are trying to get pregnant, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
How Well Do Weight-Loss Drugs Work?
Prescription weight-loss drugs for long-term use can lead to significant weight loss compared to lifestyle changes alone. Taking these drugs for a year can result in losing 3% to 12% of your total body weight beyond what is achieved with lifestyle changes.
This may not seem like a lot, but losing 5% to 10% of your total weight and keeping it off can have important health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and triglycerides.
What You Should Know About Weight-Loss Drugs
Side Effects
Mild side effects, such as nausea, constipation, and diarrhea, are common and may lessen over time. Rarely, serious side effects can occur. Therefore, it’s crucial to discuss all treatment options and the potential benefits and risks of each drug with your healthcare provider.
Costs and Insurance
Weight-loss drugs can be expensive and are not always covered by insurance. It’s important to check with your insurance company about your coverage.
Maintaining Weight Loss
Many people regain some of the weight they lose when they stop taking weight-loss drugs. Practicing healthy lifestyle habits can help limit weight regain.
How Long Do I Take a Weight-Loss Drug?
The duration of taking a weight-loss drug depends on whether the drug helps you lose weight and if you experience any serious side effects. If you’ve lost enough weight to improve your health and have not had serious side effects, your healthcare provider may suggest continuing the drug long-term.
If you haven’t lost at least 5% of your body weight after taking the full dose of a drug for 3 to 6 months, your healthcare provider will likely change your treatment plan.
Approved Weight-Loss Drugs
Six weight-loss drugs have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for long-term use:
- Bupropion-naltrexone (Contrave): Combines an antidepressant and a drug used to treat alcohol and opioid addiction. Common side effects include nausea, headache, and constipation.
- Liraglutide (Saxenda): Also used to manage diabetes and given as a daily shot. Common side effects are nausea and vomiting.
- Orlistat (Xenical, Alli): Affects how your body absorbs fat. Common side effects include passing gas and loose stools.
- Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia): Combines a weight-loss drug and an anticonvulsant. Common side effects include insomnia, constipation, and nervousness.
- Semaglutide (Wegovy): Also used for type 2 diabetes and taken as a weekly shot. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Setmelanotide (Imcivree): Approved for specific rare genetic disorders. Side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and belly pain.
How Melamed Weight & Wellness Can Help
At Melamed Weight & Wellness in Deerfield, IL, we offer guided and personalized medical weight loss support that you can realistically incorporate into your daily life. Our approach is holistic and supportive, involving a variety of nutritional testing, medications, and adaptable diet options like OPTIFAST, keto diet, and hCG diet.
Expertise and Personalized Care
With over 20 years of expertise, Dr. Melamed and her dedicated team partner with you on your weight loss journey. We empower you to understand and fuel your body for optimal wellness and effective weight control.
State-of-the-Art Technology
We utilize the InBody state-of-the-art body composition analyzer to provide detailed insights at each visit. This technology helps monitor improvements in skeletal body mass, reductions in visceral fat, hydration status, and more.
Conclusion
Weight-loss drugs aren’t an easy answer to weight loss, but they may help you make the necessary lifestyle changes to lose weight and improve your health. If you’re considering prescription weight-loss drugs, consult with the experts at Melamed Weight & Wellness in Deerfield, IL. We provide the guidance and tools you need for sustainable health transformations. Book an appointment today to start your journey towards a healthier, happier you.