Commonly asked questions on Weight loss medication

Newer medications such as Weight loss medication, which is safer than earlier Weight loss medication have expanded the medication options for treating obesity. Obesity is considered more than a risk factor for generating other conditions; so, it's a disease itself.

Four new medications are approved by the FDA from 2012 namely, Belviq (lorcaserin), Qsymia (phentermine and topiramate), Contrave (naltrexone and bupropion) and Saxenda (liraglutide). After the discovery, they have added to the treatment options for obesity. There are almost six FDA-approved drugs existing, but that is a tiny percentage as compared to the number available to treat hypertension as well as other chronic diseases, thus we need even more treatment options over obesity that will work most effectively.

Will the newer Weight loss medication help you?

The newer drugs are best as part of a comprehensive weight-loss program that need close monitoring by an experienced doctor. The FDA approved drugs are usually prescribed for obese people with a BMI higher than 30, mostly if they have other conditions for example, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, joint problems, which can often be alleviated by reducing weight.

It often requires trial of multiple medications in order to find which one is right and which is not. The fact is that, the weight loss medication does not reduce your fats overnight. They give an average weight loss if they are successful, and it takes almost six to 12 months.

Is weight loss medication safe to administer?

You may find some disturbing reports about old medications of obesity. The medications Dexfenfluramine and fenfluramine had taken off the pharmacy market after they were linked to the damage of heart valve. Sibutramine (Meridia) was also removed after it was associated with heart attack and stroke in some people at highest risk.

Various options on the market come with their own cautions today. The ingredient called phentermine mostly found in Adipex-P, Ionamin, and Qsymia is not recommended for people who have hypertension or other heart conditions. Topiramate medications has been linked to the risk of birth defects, so women who are seeking to get pregnant should avoid taking it.

When a drug helps you to reduce 5% of your weight in a few months with no side effects, you will want to continue it. However, medications are not the substitute for life changes. They are effective when used as part of a broader weight loss program. They need to be just one part of a lifetime plan that contains a healthy diet, adequate sleep, regular exercise, and stress reduction.

Which weight loss medication to choose?

Some medicines contain drugs that are used to treat other conditions. You may prefer to consider a "dual-acting" medication if you have any of the following condition:

• Migraines- If you are suffering from migraine and do not intend to get pregnant, you may consider Qsymia. Being Topiramate as one of its constituent, it is approved for treating seizures and migraines.

• Type 2 diabetes- You might want to have liraglutide (Saxenda) for weight loss that may lower your blood sugar level.

• Depression- Contrave medicine contains bupropion, that acts as an antidepressant and it may elevate your mood, and help in weight loss medication.