On the road to weight management, many people seek support in this journey by resorting to weight loss medications. These medications are usually prescribed in combination with lifestyle changes and are available in various forms. In this article, we will explore the different types of weight loss medications, their benefits and possible side effects to help you make informed decisions about their use.
Types of Weight Loss Medications
- Appetite Suppressants
Appetite suppressants help people to eat fewer calories by affecting the brain's hunger signals.
Phentermine: One of the most commonly prescribed appetite suppressants, phentermine reduces hunger by affecting brain chemicals. It is often used for short-term weight loss.
Lorcaserin: This drug increases the feeling of satiety by activating serotonin receptors. However, it has been withdrawn from the market due to safety concerns.
- Fat Absorption Inhibitors
These drugs reduce calorie intake by blocking the absorption of dietary fat.
Orlistat: Orlistat inhibits the enzyme lipase, which is essential for fat digestion. This causes undigested fat to be excreted in the body. It is available over-the-counter and prescription.
- GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
These drugs mimic the hormone GLP-1, a hormone that regulates blood sugar and appetite. They were first used in patients with type-2 diabetes. These drugs have also been found to suppress appetite and their use for weight loss has become increasingly widespread.
Semaglutide: Semaglutide, used for the treatment of diabetes, has also been found effective for weight loss. It reduces appetite and helps weight management. It is administered as weekly injections
Liraglutide: Similar to semaglutide, liraglutide helps control appetite and is used for long-term weight management.
- Combination Medicines
Some weight loss drugs combine multiple mechanisms to achieve effective results.
Phentermine-topiramate: This combination drug contains an appetite suppressant (phentermine) and an epilepsy drug (topiramate) that aids weight loss.
Naltrexone-bupropion: Naltrexone is a drug used to treat addiction and bupropion is an antidepressant; together they control appetite and food cravings.
Positive effects of weight loss drugs
- Effective Weight Loss
Many weight loss medications can produce significant weight loss, especially when used in combination with a healthy diet and exercise. For example, drugs such as semaglutide have shown impressive results in clinical trials.
- Improvement in Metabolic Health
Weight loss medications can lead to improvements in metabolic indicators such as blood glucose levels, cholesterol levels and blood pressure. This can reduce the risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
- Increased Self-confidence and Quality of Life
Successful weight loss can improve self-esteem and overall quality of life. For some individuals, medications may be helpful in achieving weight loss goals that were previously challenging.
Potential Side Effects of Weight Loss Medications
- Digestive Problems
Medicines such as orlistat can cause gastrointestinal side effects such as oily stools, gas and diarrhoea. These side effects are caused by undigested fat passing through the digestive tract.
- Cardiovascular Effects
Some appetite suppressants and stimulant-based medicines can increase heart rate and blood pressure. This may carry a risk for individuals with existing heart conditions.
- Neurological Effects
Some weight loss medicines can cause headaches, dizziness or mood changes. For example, topiramate used in combination medicines can cause cognitive side effects.
- Risk of Addiction
Drugs that affect the central nervous system, such as phentermine, can cause dependence when used for a long time or withdrawal syndrome when stopped abruptly.
- Potential Risks for Rare but Serious Conditions
Some medicines, such as lorcaserin, although withdrawn from the market, have been associated with serious side effects such as cancer risks and heart valve problems. You should always discuss potential risks with your healthcare professional.
In conclusion; weight loss drugs have limited weight loss effects and can be a valuable tool in weight management when integrated with a balanced diet and regular physical activity. However, their use comes with potential side effects and risks and should be carefully considered. These medicines are not medicines that you alone can decide for use. You should always consult a healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate and safe options.
