If you’re looking for information about things to know before weight loss drugs, the first thing you should know is that these weight loss medications aren’t about quick fixes. They’re prescription medications for individual patients, and they’re best used with a combination of diet, exercise, and medical monitoring. What you should know about weight loss medications from American health guidance is that these aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution, and not all weight loss medications available online are safe or effective.
Weight loss medications have finally reached the mainstream because new weight loss medications can help decrease appetite and promote significant weight loss for patients. But the decision to take weight loss medications should be based on an honest conversation with your doctor, not because you see it trending on social media.
They Are Meant for Eligible Patients, Not Everyone
Doctors generally consider prescription weight loss medicines for adults with obesity, or for some adults who are overweight and have weight-related health problems. The decision is based on the individual’s body mass index, medical history, other health conditions, and the fact that changes in lifestyle have not been sufficient. NIDDK explains that the FDA has approved six medicines for long-term weight management. They are orlistat, phentermine-topiramate, naltrexone-bupropion, liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide.
This is important because many people now request these medicines for the purpose of losing a small amount of weight quickly. However, this is not the same as saying you are a candidate for the drug. A doctor will first consider your overall health.
Understand What These Drugs Can and Cannot Do
Such drugs can assist in reducing appetite, increasing a feeling of fullness, and helping to achieve weight loss. However, such drugs do not replace a healthy diet, exercise, or lifestyle changes. According to NIDDK, patients need to continue a healthy diet and exercise while using weight loss drugs.
It is also essential to have a realistic expectation. Weight loss does not occur immediately. Some respond well to such drugs, while others may not achieve expected weight loss or may discontinue using such drugs due to side effects, cost, or availability. That is why doctors monitor patient progress and may reassess whether such a drug works for a patient.
Side Effects and Safety Questions Matter
Before you start, you should talk to your doctor about possible side effects, interactions with other drugs, pregnancy-related side effects, and whether or not you should take the medicine if you have diabetes, stomach or digestive problems, kidney disease, or if you have had pancreatitis or gallstones.
In addition, there is a new safety concern with unapproved or compounded versions of these medicines available online. The FDA is cautioning consumers not to buy unapproved versions of these GLP-1 medicines for sale “for research purposes,” or any other unapproved manner. The quality of these medicines is unknown, which means they could be harmful to you. The FDA has also recently issued a warning to telehealth providers about false or misleading claims related to these types of compounded versions of GLP-1 medicines.
This means that perhaps the first thing you should ask yourself is: Am I getting an FDA-approved medicine from a legitimate source?
Ask About Cost, Duration, and Access Before You Begin
A lot of people are concerned about weight loss, but cost and continuity are just as important. Some of these drugs can be costly, are not always covered by insurance, and often require long-term use to maintain weight loss. And then there are supply issues that have been a problem with some of these GLP-1 drugs. There have also been concerns about non-approved drugs.
Another thing to consider is what happens if you stop. For many patients, this is a long-term solution for weight loss.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor First
Before using any weight loss drug, it is a good idea to get the following questions answered:
Am I eligible for this drug under medical grounds?
What drug is best for my medical history?
What side effects do I need to watch for?
What weight loss can I hope for?
How long will I be on this drug for?
What happens if I stop using the drug?
Is the drug approved by the FDA, is the pharmacy reputable, and is the drug legitimate?
What will this cost me on a monthly basis?
These are the questions that will help you make a well-thought-out decision rather than a hasty one.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available guidance from reputable health sources and should not replace advice from a licensed medical professional.
