Weight Loss Medications: knowing your options
As mentioned in my previous blog, certain patients can benefit from using prescription medications to curb cravings and increase their short and long-term success in obesity management.
There are several name-brand medications for weight loss, as well as generic medications used “off-label” to help manage obesity (this means that the FDA has not approved this medication for the treatment of obesity). Medications are most appropriate for a patient with a BMI > 30 or a BMI > 27 accompanied by another medical condition that would benefit from patient weight loss. Some examples of these conditions include high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, and osteoarthritis.
Some commonly used branded medications that are FDA approved for weight loss include:
Contrave – This oral medication works within the brain to decrease hunger. It acts on the brain’s reward system to reduce food cravings, making it distinct from other prescriptions. Contrave is a combination of two, long-standing medications, naltrexone and bupropion. Many people are familiar with bupropion as it’s also used to treat depression (Wellbutrin) and helps with smoking cessation (Zyban); this medication can be a great match for patients with these conditions as well.
Qsymia – Another oral medication, this time combining phentermine and topiramate. Both products have been used separately to help with weight management for years. Combined, they can be prescribed at lower doses to decrease the chance of side effects while keeping the beneficial effect. This medication reduces hunger and cravings.
Saxenda and Wegovy – These are injectable medications that behave similarly to the naturally occurring hormone in our body, GLP-1. Biologically, GLP-1 is released after eating to help regulate appetite; Saxenda and Wegovy work on the same receptors in the body, mimicking the naturally occurring hormone. The medication is injected daily or weekly with an easy-to-use pen that reduces hunger and increases satiety. These also reduce blood sugar, making them an excellent choice for someone with pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes.
Another med you may have heard about is Mounjaro – It is similar to Saxenda and Wegovy; however, Mounjaro is currently only approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. If you have diabetes, you can consider using Mounjaro to help with obesity management.
We measure the efficacy of a treatment by noting whether there is a 4-5% weight loss after three months of using the medication. Long-term weight reduction varies from patient to patient, mainly based on how they combine the medications with healthy nutrition and exercise. We also feel it is important to take time to reflect on the “non-scale victories.” We celebrate improved energy, reduced heartburn, better sleep, and reduction in arthritis pain alongside our patients.
At LBMD & Associates, we are comfortable discussing the array of treatment options available to you. These treatment decisions are better when they are made together!