Weight Loss Medications

Prescription Medications for Weight Loss (FAQs)

If you are suffering from obesity or from severe health issues such as metabolic syndrome or diabetes as a result of being overweight and have not been able to reduce your weight through diet and increased physical activity — then we may consider prescription weight loss drugs as an additional option.

Prescription weight-loss drugs typically decrease appetite, increase feelings of fullness or interfere with the absorption of fat.

Why does weight loss medication have to be used in conjunction with diet and exercise?

While weight loss drugs and lifestyle changes results in greater weight loss than lifestyle changes do alone, the drugs are not meant to be used by themselves in the absence of other interventions.

This is because, over the course of a year, a patient can expect an additional body weight reduction of up to 7% through medication alone. To achieve the double-digit reductions most patients seek, drug therapy would have to be used in addition to diet and exercise.

What are the “cons” of weight loss medicine?

Weight loss drugs aren’t for everyone. Because many can cause birth defects and negatively affect infants and children, minors or pregnant and breast feeding women should not take these medications. In the general adult population, it is common to see side effects like nausea, constipation, loose stools and diarrhea. Sometimes, as the body adjusts to the medications, these mild symptoms disappear eventually. However, with some drugs, serious side effects can occur which is why it is essential that a program involving weight loss medication is carefully supervised by a doctor.

People deciding whether to take weight loss drugs should also consider the that weight loss drugs are typically costly and often not covered by health insurance plans

Finally, many people find it hard to maintain weight loss achieved through use of medications once they have stopped taking them. Sometimes, doctors prescribe these drugs indefinitely in order to keep off lost weight in the long term.

Are medications prescribed and dispensed inhouse?

At Dr. Amir’s Weight Loss and Metabolism Center, weight loss medication can be prescribed as part of a comprehensive weight loss plan that typically includes dietary changes, exercise and other lifestyle interventions.

For your convenience, we dispense most of our medications in house.

Contact us today to see if we advise weight loss medication as a part of your overall weight loss strategy.

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