These days, obesity is recognized as a disease in and of itself rather than just a risk factor for other illnesses. 

Are you an adult whose weight is causing you to have major health issues? Have you attempted a diet and exercise program but not been successful in losing enough weight? If you answered yes to these inquiries, a prescription weight loss medication may be an option for you.

Prescription drugs are medications for weight loss that you get prescribed by a healthcare professional. Unlike nonprescription medications, they cannot be purchased over the counter at a drugstore. It has been the focus of extensive medical and scientific studies to create efficient therapies. 

Dig in to find out about the effective weight loss medications and how they work, their benefits, and other things around. Let’s dig in! 

What are some ways how weight loss medications work? 

These medications tend to work via one or more of these mechanisms:

• These medications can reduce appetite and make you feel fuller, leading to fewer calories consumed.
• decreasing the digestion of nutrients, such as fat, causing you to consume fewer calories
• enhancing fat burning to increase calorie expenditure

When combined with additional lifestyle modifications and taken under the guidance of a healthcare professional, these medications may provide an effective way to lose weight. 

Who may use weight loss pills?

In certain circumstances, your healthcare provider might recommend a medication for weight loss. It includes the following if diet and exercise haven’t helped you lose weight:

• BMI (body mass index) is higher than 30. This indicates that you have obesity, a condition characterized by excess body fat.
• A BMI higher than 27. You also suffer from a severe medical condition like diabetes or high blood pressure that is connected to obesity.
• Prior to prescribing a medication, your physician considers your medical history and current health issues. Next, you and your healthcare provider discuss the benefits and drawbacks of prescription weight-loss drugs.

Some people shouldn’t use these weight loss pills. Prescription weight-loss drugs, for instance, should not be taken if you are trying to conceive, are pregnant or breastfeeding, are taking any other medications concurrently, have a chronic illness, etc. 

Are Weight Loss Medications Effective? 

Medication for weight loss can be a useful tool to help with weight management. Most work by lowering your food consumption, reducing fat absorption, or boosting fat-burning, all of which result in substantial weight loss over time.

Usually, taking these prescription weight loss drugs can lead to a weight loss of between 5% and 10%. This can, however, change based on a number of variables, such as the particular medication you take.

Remember that these weight loss medications should be taken in conjunction with dietary adjustments and lifestyle modifications, like consistent exercise and healthy meals. 

Making dietary and lifestyle adjustments can not only improve the efficiency of prescription weight-loss medications, but they can also reduce the likelihood of weight gain, which frequently happens when you stop taking these medications.

Which medications are permitted for weight loss?

The FDA has approved a number of medications to help people who are overweight or obese lose weight. These weight loss pills must be prescribed by a physician and should only be used under close medical supervision. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the following six weight-loss medications for long-term use:

• Bupropion-naltrexone (Contrave)
• Liraglutide (saxenda)
• Orlistat (Alli, Xenical)
• Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia)
• Semaglutide (Wegovy).
• Setmelanotide (Imcivree)

In order for most prescription weight-loss medications to function, you must feel less hungry or full. Some people combine the two. Orlistat is an exception. It changes how your body absorbs fat. 

How long do you need to take a medication? 

The length of time you take a weight-loss medication is determined by whether or not it works for you. If you’ve lost enough weight to improve your health and haven’t experienced any serious side effects, your doctor may recommend that you continue taking the medication.

Your doctor will likely adjust your treatment if, after taking a medication for three to six months at its recommended dosage, you haven’t lost at least five per cent of your body weight. They might move you to a different medication for weight loss.

Bottom Line 

Prescription weight loss pills are most successful when combined with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. Your healthcare provider can assist you in determining the most appropriate course of action based on your medical background, individual tastes, and health objectives. 

These weight loss pills aren’t magic cures, though. Obesity treatment strongly suggests a lifestyle change. Even after reaching your weight loss objectives, keep up a regular exercise regimen and a healthy, well-balanced diet.

Also, another crucial recommendation is getting the right weight loss medications from a reputed drugstore. If you are looking for one, you can reach out to Scott Read Pharmacy: the leading chemist store in Houston.