How Do Prescription Weight Loss Medications Work
Prescription weight loss medications can be prescribed to some patients to provide them with a supplemental tool for losing weight. At Total HealthcareMD, our medical director uses prescription weight loss to support patients who have not achieved their weight loss goals with regular diet and exercise.
It’s vital to note that prescription weight loss medications are not magic potions and must be paired with a consistent exercise routine and healthy diet plan. For more details on prescription weight loss pills and how they work, read on.
Is It Effective?
Weight loss drugs work by controlling an individual’s appetite by helping him or her feel satisfied with less food in the body. Many drugs such as Belviq and Qysimia activate brain receptors for serotonin to bring about feelings of satisfaction and prevent individuals from overeating.
While prescription weight loss can be effective for some patients, it does not work for everyone. In order for a patient to notice results while still staying safe, one to two pounds of weight should be lost each week. Prescription weight loss usually results in a 5 to 10 percent weight loss over the time frame of a year when combined with an individualized diet and exercise regimen. When weight loss drugs are combined with a customized diet from Total HealthcareMD, patients can experience incredible, long lasting results.
A patient who weighs 200 pounds and loses 10 to 20 pounds over a 12-month period as a result of diet, exercise, and weight loss drugs would fall within safe guidelines. Although this amount of weight loss seems minimal, it may be enough to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, improve blood sugar, relieve sleep apnea, and reduce a patient’s risk of developing stroke, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
Good Candidates
Prior to prescribing any type of drugs, doctors will direct patients to try to lose weight through diet and exercise. In the event that weight loss has not been successful and the patient has health risks associated with being overweight, medication may be a viable option.
Weight loss medications are usually prescribed to obese patients with a body mass index of 30 or a body mass index of 27 in the presence of other risk factors such as diabetes and hypertension. Pregnant women are not candidates.
If you are curious as to whether or not you are a good candidate, visit Total HealthcareMD. Our weight loss doctor will work with you to determine what makes sense for your particular situation. Contact us today!