With about three-quarters of Americans struggling with being overweight or obese, it’s no wonder weight-loss medications have become so popular in recent years. But while medication can help some people lose weight, they’re not for everyone. Knowing what options are available and how they work is important for deciding if they’re right for you.
At Triad Primary Care, our team offers weight-loss medications to patients who are struggling with traditional weight-loss methods and who meet specific health criteria, as well. In this post, our team offers a brief overview of weight-loss medications, so you can decide if they’re a treatment worth pursuing.
As the name implies, weight-loss medications are intended to help you reach your healthy weight goals, but they’re typically not a first-line solution. In most cases, weight-loss medications are prescribed when other approaches — like a healthy diet and regular exercise — aren’t effective in helping you achieve your goals.
They may also be prescribed for people whose weight is increasing their risk of other health problems, like heart disease, or for people already diagnosed with heart disease, diabetes, or other weight-related issues.
Weight-loss medications are used in tandem with lifestyle changes, like following a healthy eating plan and getting plenty of regular exercise. And, like any prescription medication, they also require regular check-ins with our team to ensure your plan stays on track. During your visits, we may adjust your dose or even change your medication, depending on your needs and your response to therapy.
Appetite suppressants have been used for decades to help quell feelings of hunger. These medicines work on hormones and other chemicals that produce feelings of hunger. By suppressing these chemicals, your brain registers fullness more quickly, so you consume fewer calories and, ideally, lose weight.
Appetite suppressants can make it easier to stick to a healthy eating plan, but like many medicines, they have potential side effects, like dry mouth and increased heart rate. These medicines are intended for short-term use, and we’ll need to monitor you, watch for side effects, and adjust your dose as needed. Several types of appetite suppressants are available in both pill and injectable forms.
Even though these medications have only recently been approved for use in weight loss, GLP-1 medicines — specifically, semaglutide and tirzepatide — have been commanding news headlines over the past year for their effectiveness in promoting rapid weight loss.
Traditionally used to treat type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 agonists work by mimicking a chemical involved in blood sugar regulation and metabolism. For weight loss, GLP-1 agonists work in several ways:
GLP-1 agonists are approved for use in people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher and for those with a BMI of 27 or higher with one or more weight-related health issues, like high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
GLP-1 agonists are associated with significant weight loss. Data show patients using GLP-1 agonists lose up to 20% of their body weight over an average course of treatment.
Both semaglutide and tirzepatide are administered via weekly injections. As with appetite suppressants, you’ll have regular check-ins to ensure your dosing remains on track for your weight-loss goals.
Potential side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, belly cramps, and bloating. These side effects go away as your body gets used to the medication’s effects. Typically, your dose is small to begin with, increasing as your body adjusts to the medication.
As effective as weight-loss medications can be in helping people lose weight, they’re not a good choice for everyone. The best way to know if these medicines are appropriate for your weight-loss journey is to schedule an evaluation with our team.
To learn more or to schedule your evaluation, request an appointment online or over the phone with Triad Primary Care in Greensboro, North Carolina, today.
