Weight Loss Medications .. Kinds, Effects, Usage .. 2023

Prescription weight loss medications may be a viable option for you if you are having significant health problems as a result of your weight and lifestyle changes have not resulted in significant weight loss.

However, you should be aware that these medications are not a replacement for making healthy lifestyle changes such as changing your eating habits or increasing your physical activity.

Who qualifies for medication-assisted weight loss?

Weight-loss medications are typically reserved for people who have failed to lose weight through diet and exercise, as well as those who have health issues as a result of their weight. It is not appropriate for anyone looking to lose a few pounds for purely cosmetic reasons.

If you’ve attempted and failed to lose weight with food and exercise and one of the following two circumstances applies:

• BMI greater than 30.
• A BMI greater than 27 and a serious obesity-related health problem, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
• Before prescribing medication, your doctor will consider your medical history, potential medication side effects, and any potential interactions between weight-loss medications and medications you are already taking.

Also read: Everything About Botox: Full Guide .. 2021

How effective are weight loss medications?

Weight loss medications, when combined with a low-calorie diet and regular exercise, result in weight loss of 5% to 10% of total body weight within a year, which is the primary goal for weight loss. Diet and exercise are both responsible for weight loss, and medication also plays a role.

A loss of 5% to 10% of your total body weight may not seem like much, but even a small weight loss can improve your health by:

• Lowering blood pressure
• Lowering lipid levels
• Lowering blood glucose levels
• Increased insulin sensitivity

It is important to note, however, that these medications may not be effective for everyone. And if you stop taking these medications, you will most likely regain much or all of the weight you lost.

Common weight loss medications

The following table shows currently available prescription weight-loss medications, how they work, and their side effects.

1.Benzphetamine (Dedrex)

Mechanism of Action of Benzphetamine (Dedrex)

Decreased appetite, increased feeling of fullness

Possible side effects of Benzphetamine (Dedrex)

High blood pressure, increased heart rate, nervousness, insomnia, dry mouth, constipation

2.Diethylpropion (Tinoate)

Mechanism of Action of Diethylpropion (Tinoate)

Decreased appetite, increased feeling of fullness

Possible side effects of Diethylpropion (Tinoate)

Headache, high blood pressure , increased heart rate, nervousness, insomnia, dry mouth, constipation

3.Lorcaserin (Belviq)

Mechanism of Action of Lorcaserin (Belviq)

Decreased appetite, increased feeling of fullness

Possible side effects of Lorcaserin (Belviq)

Headache, nausea, dry mouth, dizziness, fatigue, constipation

4.Naltrexone and Bupropion extended-release (Contriv)

Mechanism of Action of Contriv

Decreased appetite, increased feeling of fullness

Possible side effects of Contriv

Nausea, constipation, headache, vomiting, dizziness

5.Phendimetrazine

Mechanism of Action of Phendimetrazine

Decreased appetite, increased feeling of fullness

Possible side effects of Phendimetrazine

High blood pressure, increased heart rate, nervousness, insomnia, dry mouth, constipation

6.Phentermine (Adipex B – Superenza)

Mechanism of Action of Phentermine (Adipex B – Superenza)

Decreased appetite, increased feeling of fullness

Possible side effects of Phentermine (Adipex B – Superenza)

Headache, high blood pressure, increased heart rate, nervousness, insomnia, dry mouth, constipation

7.Orlistat (Xenical)

Mechanism of Action of Orlistat (Xenical)

Obstruction of fat absorption

Possible side effects of Orlistat (Xenical)

Decreased absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, fatty patches, intestinal cramps, flatulence, diarrhoea, urge to defecate and urinary incontinence

8.Extended-release phentermine and topiramate (Qsymia)

Mechanism of Action of Qsymia

Decreased appetite, increased feeling of fullness

Possible side effects of Qsymia

Insomnia, dry mouth, dizziness, constipation, pins and needles sensation, change in sense of taste or smell

9.Liraglutide (Saxenda) (Victoza)

Mechanism of Action of Liraglutide (Saxenda) (Victoza)

Slowing stomach emptying, increasing the feeling of fullness

Possible side effects of Liraglutide (Saxenda) (Victoza)

Nausea, vomiting, pancreatitit

Long-term use of weight loss medications

Long-term use is approved for orlistat (Xenical), lorcaserin (Belviq), phentermine and topiramate (Qsymia), naltrexone and bupropion (Contriv), and liraglutide (Saxenda).

Orlistat is also available in a lower concentration and is not prescription-only (Alli). To reduce side effects, limit the amount of fat in your diet while taking olestat.

After orlistat was approved, there were a few cases of serious liver damage reported in people who were taking it. However, the link between cause and effect has not been established.

However, the Xenical and Alli packages currently advise orlistat users to be aware of signs and symptoms of liver injury, such as itching, loss of appetite, yellowing of the eyes or skin, pale stools, or brown urine.

Initially, some people were concerned about lorcaserin (Belvik) because it worked in a way that was similar to fenfluramine, which had been withdrawn from the market because it damaged heart valves.

Belviq, on the other hand, has not been shown to harm heart valves. However, because this medication may cause an increase in heart rate, people who take it should have their heart rate checked.

Qsymia (phentermine and topiramate) is a combination medication that increases the risk of birth defects. As a result, the US Food and Drug Administration required the manufacturer to develop a risk assessment and mitigation strategy.

This strategy is intended to inform women about the risks and the importance of avoiding pregnancy while taking Qsymia. Furthermore, this drug is classified as a controlled substance because one of its ingredients is phentermine, a highly addictive stimulant.

Contrave is a combination medication that contains naltrexone and bupropion. Naltrexone is used to treat alcohol and opiate addiction, whereas bupropion is an antidepressant that can lower the risk of weight gain in people trying to quit smoking.

Contraive can cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, as well as an increase in the risk of seizures. Suicidal thoughts and behavior can be exacerbated by bupropion.

Liraglutide (Saxenda) is the most recent weight-loss medication to be approved. The FDA approved it with the condition that the manufacturer have a risk assessment and mitigation strategy in place to inform clinicians about the serious risks associated with Saxenda.

Saxenda comes with a warning box stating that animals have thyroid gland tumors and that it is unknown whether this drug causes these tumors in humans. Saxenda, unlike other weight-loss medications, is administered as a daily injection.

Consider the following factors:

If your condition meets the prescription criteria for weight loss medications, you and your doctor will need to weigh the potential benefits and risks of taking any of these medications.

You should also think about the cost, as not all health insurance plans cover prescription weight-loss medications. Adverse effects are common with weight-loss medications, making treatment compliance difficult.

Make an effort to exercise, change your eating habits, and adjust any other lifestyle factors that have contributed to your weight gain while you’re considering weight-loss medications.

Weight-loss medications aren’t a quick fix for losing weight, but they can be a helpful tool in assisting you to make necessary dietary and lifestyle changes. However, maintaining the weight you’ve lost is an ongoing concern. Despite their best efforts, many people regain their lost weight.

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