That’s why we deliver customized plans that focus on your overall physical and mental health. These options provide different ways to help you achieve your weight-loss goals. GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide (Wegovy) and liraglutide (Saxenda), are available as injectables. Your trusted weight loss partner In addition, it delays gastric emptying and modulates central hunger–satiety controls, which, in turn, create a feeling of fullness, reduce food intake, and promote weight loss (Bailey, 2021). One clinical trial reported 1.3% weight loss in the placebo group and 6.1% weight loss after NAL/BUP administration at a dose of 32 mg for 56 weeks. Naltrexone (NAL) is an opioid receptor antagonist approved as a treatment for opioid dependency and alcohol dependence. Criteria for Weight Loss Medication Prescriptions # They haven’t been studied in people who’ve had pancreatitis in the past.With expertise in video capsule endoscopy and medical education, Dr. Marcos earned a Fellowship at the Higher Education Academy in 2017.So it's not possible to tell which ingredient caused the weight loss.Victoza is approved to treat type 2 diabetes, not obesity.Since naltrexone-bupropion can raise blood pressure, you’ll need to check your blood pressure regularly at the start of treatment.Though rare, some dietary supplements have been linked to serious problems, such as liver damage.Compounded versions of medications are made by compounding pharmacies, often to tailor a medication to specific patient needs, like an allergy to an inactive ingredient.Although many anti-obesity medications have been developed, several have been withdrawn because of adverse events (Wen et al., 2022). "I knew they wouldn’t put their name on something that wasn’t substantial or credible. This program is not a quick fix; it’s a lifestyle change." "I chose the Mayo Clinic Diet because it focused on learning about nutrition and how to prepare healthy meals," he said. When Rich Wendt and his wife, Jill, decided to make a change, they were looking for a sustainable, practical solution to improve their health and lifestyle. "I chose the Mayo Clinic Diet because it was medically based," she said. For Mouna Fall, a resident of Pennsylvania and originally from West Africa, the struggle with weight loss spanned over 15 years and countless programs. Our targeted plans provide you with a personalized weight loss program developed and overseen by a team of experts. Enlist friends and family to help hold you accountable or consider participating in a reputable weight loss program. Most importantly, always discuss over-the-counter drugs or supplements with your health care provider. Talk with your health care provider about which type of medication is best for you. Medically-supervised weight loss program Successful weight-loss programs provide guidance and support for adopting a healthy eating plan that is low in calories. Successful weight-loss programs help you set realistic goals for weight loss. Sometimes, health care professionals may not address issues such as the benefits of choosing healthy food and drinks, physical activity, and weight during a general office visit. However, you should work with an obesity medicine specialist to manage your dosage, monitor for side effects, and give medical guidance. You may take weight loss medication as an injection. Our team offers all the necessary tools to help you lose weight. They’re approved if your BMI is over 30 or if it’s over 27 and you have another related health condition. Ozempic can help you lose 15%-20% of your weight on average. Compared to Ozempic, Mounjaro might work even better for weight loss. Ask your health care professional whether you should consider these options. Overweight and obesity may also be treated with weight-loss medicines and weight-loss surgery, also called metabolic and bariatric surgery. They may also refer you to a registered dietitian or a specific program. For many adults, treating overweight and obesity starts with lifestyle changes. During your visit, your health care professional may Side effects and other reactions to weight management medications are possible.10 For more information, visit the FDA drug database, DRUGS@FDA. Some weight management medications that curb appetite, such as phentermine, are approved by the FDA only for use for a few weeks. If you do not lose at least 5% of your starting weight after 12 weeks on the full dose of your medication, your health care professional will probably advise you to stop taking it. The program should provide3,4,5 The amount and type of activity will depend on your personal health and ability. Health care professionals most often recommend lifestyle changes along with medicines or surgery. If you feel uneasy talking about your weight, practice talking about your concerns before your office visit and bring your questions with you. Losing weight may also improve your quality of life. The most common adverse events experienced with semaglutide were gastrointestinal events; similar to other GLP-1 RAs, these were transient and mild or moderate in severity. Improvements in body composition were observed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in STEP 1, while reductions in visceral fat areas were observed in a subpopulation of participants assessed by computed tomography in STEP 6. Secondary endpoint results from the STEP trials indicated improvement in cardiometabolic risk factors, including waist circumference, blood pressure, lipids, and C-reactive protein with semaglutide administered at a dose of 2.4 mg, as well as benefits on physical function and quality of life. The Satiety and Clinical Adiposity-Liraglutide (SCALE) Obesity and Prediabetes study was a key trial in determining liraglutide efficacy. Whether you need to lose a few pounds or many, we can help you achieve your goals. This type of holistic program leads to better patient outcomes. Your care team will include experts from the fields of medicine, nutrition, psychology, sleep therapy, and many others. Learn more about these and other obesity-related conditions we treat. Semaglutide (Ozempic) Tracking where you are now helps to identify how you want to improve your health. This change could lower the risk for some chronic diseases such as heart disease, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes. For example, a 5% weight reduction for a person who weighs 200 pounds is 10 pounds. The encouragement to address habits that inhibit or propel weight loss is also a wonderful feature. The program is flexible, personalized to your needs, and supported by digital tools like a food journal and weight tracker to help you stay on track. Through simple changes and the support of the program, Victoria transformed not just her weight but her entire approach to wellness. Of these medicines, liraglutide (as Saxenda), semaglutide (as Wegovy), and tirzepatide (as Zepbound) are approved by the FDA to treat weight-loss in people without diabetes. But many people might lose closer to 10% of their body weight. One study showed that a 15 milligram-dose of this drug taken every week led people to lose more than 20% of their body weight. While both Mounjaro and Ozempic are really diabetes drugs, they also can help you lose weight. They’re both approved to lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes in combination with a healthy diet and exercise. Weight Loss Medications Because of this, different medications or combinations of medications will suit different people best. It can support weight loss in adults alongside a low-fat, low-calorie diet. Up to 25% lost at least 10% of their body weight. During this initial consultation, the doctor will discuss your ideal weight and work with you to create a plan that will help you to meet your goals, while also working with your lifestyle. Circle Medical Providers are held to an exceptionally high standard of compassionate, evidence-based care. Book your appointment to get started on your journey to better health and wellness today! While viral tonsillitis doesn’t typically require medical intervention, it’s best to rule out bacterial infections or other conditions through a visit to your doctor. They will be able to diagnose the type of tonsillitis and the cause so they can provide you with the best treatment possible. Naltrexone (Revia) as monotherapy or in combination with any medication may interfere with acute pain management and perioperative treatment that requires opioids.83.3% Wegovy® patients vs 34.9% of placebo patientsEstablishing healthy habits are very difficult when healthy choices are limited.Setting up your first appointment online is a great way to get the ball rolling for your care, as you can speak to a healthcare professional as soon as today.To date, anti-obesity agents with various mechanisms of action have been developed, and mostly reduce energy intake, resulting in weight loss of about 5% to 10% compared to baseline.Whether a program is virtual or in person, you should get as much background as you can before you decide to join.In a retrospective, observational study of US adults with obesity, It is intended to be used indefinitely, in combination with a healthy diet and exercise. All of the medications discussed here are contraindicated for pregnancy. The medication’s cost and side effects will also affect the decision. A study from FAIR Health published in May 2025 reports that more than 2% of U.S. adults took a GLP-1 for weight loss in 2024. Plenity isn't a drug -- it's sold as a medical device. The company that makes it, Vivus, has a program to help with your out-of-pocket costs. Qsymia has much lower amounts of phentermine and topiramate than when these drugs are given alone. Phentermine/topiramate extended-release (ER; Qsymia) and naltrexone/bupropion ER (Contrave) are effective oral medications to consider if glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists are contraindicated, poorly tolerated, inaccessible, or not preferred. Liraglutide leads to treatment discontinuation for adverse effects, with an NNH of 20 (95% CI, 14 to 30). In patients with type 2 diabetes, liraglutide reduces A1C by approximately 0.5%. It does this by addressing the underlying causes of weight gain, such as hormonal imbalances, metabolism issues, genetic factors and more. Depending on the results, your provider will then determine the appropriate treatment. If not, you may want to consider a different program. You have a greater chance of getting pregnant and having a healthy baby if you are close to a healthy weight. Overall, even a small amount of weight loss can improve fertility and pregnancy health. It's important to discuss the benefit versus the risks with your healthcare provider and to review the goals of the treatment. Low-fat and low-carbohydrate diets are good options for initial weight loss; in some cases, a ketogenic diet could be a viable alternative. The Atkins diet has gained popularity as a non-energy-restricting, low-carbohydrate, high-protein, and high-fat diet.45 In addition, diets high in protein with normal amounts of carbohydrates have been used to improve metabolic parameters.46 Diets with higher protein intake can provide significant benefits to prevent weight regain.47 A satiating effect is most significant with high-protein diets, and this effect helps decrease energy intake and maintain successful weight loss. Low-carbohydrate (low-carb) diets have been widely used not only for weight reduction, but also to manage T2DM; many randomized controlled trials have been conducted.32,33 A low-carb diet is defined as a carbohydrate intake below the lower boundary of the macronutrient distribution range for healthy adults (45%–65% of total daily energy)34 and encompasses a range of carbohydrate intake from 50–130 g/day or 10%–45% total energy from carbohydrates.35,36 With carbohydrate intake 37 A low-fat diet usually consists of a dietary composition of fat ranging from very low (≤10% of calories from fat) to more moderate (≤30% of calories from fat and 24 However, randomized trials have failed to demonstrate better weight-loss maintenance by reducing energy intake from fat than other dietary interventions.25 The results of a meta-analysis did not support use of low-fat diets over other dietary interventions for long-term weight loss.26 The American Heart Association recommends distributing calories over a defined period of the day, consuming a greater share of the total calorie intake earlier in the day, and maintaining consistent overnight fasting periods.95 Eating a high-calorie breakfast and overnight fasting could have positive effects on prevention of obesity, while intermittent fasting may help control calorie intake in people with obesity. Recently, much interest has focused on “when to eat.” Meal timing and the circadian rhythm have raised a novel issue in weight management.90 Alterations in circadian rhythms produce biochemical, physiological, and behavioral circadian rhythm disruptions, which can be caused by the lack of change between day/night synchronization (such as being exposed to artificial light at night), eating at night, or a shift in time due to jet lag or shift work.90 Eating late can cause circadian disruption, resulting in production of free cortisol, changes in daily rhythms of body temperature, decreased resting energy expenditure, and decreased glucose tolerance.91,92 Thus, timing of meals could have serious implications not only for weight management, but also for development of cardiovascular disease. With this diet, careful attention should be paid to patients being treated with hypoglycemic agents because fasting might cause dizziness, general weakness, halitosis, headache, chills, and lack of concentration, although no serious adverse events have been reported.89 The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet was originally developed to lower blood pressure without medication, but it is now considered one of the healthiest eating patterns.80 The DASH plan includes many vegetables, fruits, and grains with an emphasis on whole grains. High-protein diets may be effective in weight loss maintenance, and the Mediterranean diet not only helps with weight loss maintenance, but also aids in improving cardiovascular risk factors, cognitive functions, and mood. Naltrexone/bupropion ER is contraindicated in patients with seizure disorders; individuals with hypertension should be monitored. Topiramate is a teratogen, which requires that women have effective contraception if they use this medication. Despite the concern for increased blood pressure with phentermine monotherapy, improved blood pressure control was observed after phentermine/topiramate ER treatments. Liraglutide requires a daily injection, whereas semaglutide requires a weekly injection. We’re committed to advancing discoveries that transform our patients’ lives and expand our physicians’ knowledge. There are also online medical weight loss programs that offer virtual access to healthcare providers from the comfort of your own home through telemedicine. Numerous medical weight loss programs are led by renowned healthcare institutions across the nation 4-8. Medical weight loss is a weight management process undertaken with the help and guidance of a healthcare provider or medical team. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn't need to approve dietary supplements. They aren't meant to prevent, treat or cure medical conditions. Some of the most popular supplements claim to improve diet, boost energy, build muscle or burn fat. Some individuals may be tempted to exceed recommended dosages in the pursuit of faster results, increasing the risk of addiction and severe side effects. Mounjaro vs. Zepbound side effects Among the 7,604 patients with obesity, 296 patients had reported weight values 24 months post index (±30 days).5 Collected baseline patient data were limited, preventing further characterization of patients (comorbidities and concomitant medication use, including obesity medication, GLP-1 RA, or GIP/GLP-1 RA). In a real-world study,5 patients with obesity taking Wegovy® pen and enrolled in the WeGoTogether® program lost an average of Percentage of patients achieving ≥5% weight loss at 104 weeks Vs ~2.5% (~6 lb) weight loss with placebo Missing data were imputed from retrieved subjects of the same randomized treatment arm (RD-MI).7 During the trial, 17% of patients in the Wegovy® arm discontinued treatment compared with 22% in the placebo arm.9 ††p7 ‡‡Difference from placebo was -12.4%.7 Vs 5% (~12 lb) weight loss with placebo8 You should only use a weight loss medicine if your healthcare provider recommends them for you based on your individual health needs.Some people find them helpful, along with healthy eating and exercise.Depending on the results, your provider will then determine the appropriate treatment.Jemma is passionate about delivering excellent results-driven treatments to our patients.One clinical trial reported 1.3% weight loss in the placebo group and 6.1% weight loss after NAL/BUP administration at a dose of 32 mg for 56 weeks.The decision to have weight loss surgery is an important and often difficult one.Although phase 2 trials have used oral semaglutide at a dose of 40 mg, the Oral Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with Obesity (OASIS) 1 trial used oral semaglutide at a dose of 50 mg once a day; this dose can cause greater reductions in body weight with a similar safety profile to 40 mg.This is especially true if you’re taking other diabetes medications or insulin.One of its side effects includes potential weight loss. More than one in three adults in the United States are considered to have medical obesity. No matter which Provider you choose, you will be seen by a clinician who cares deeply about your health and wants to help you live your happiest, healthiest life. Setting up your first appointment online is a great way to get the ball rolling for your care, as you can speak to a healthcare professional as soon as today. Medical weight management takes time Your healthcare provider will work with you to decide on the most suitable weight loss medicine for you. If your weight is affecting your health and day-to-day life, and you've tried various lifestyle changes to manage your weight, your healthcare provider may recommend a weight loss medicine. You’ll only be prescribed a weight loss medicine by a health professional if you meet certain criteria based on your body mass index (BMI) and any other health conditions you may have. That’s why we offer a robust long-term maintenance program to provide education, support and accountability. We partner with children and their families to deliver treatments that work. Our multispecialty team includes pediatricians, surgeons, dietitians and psychologists. In partnership with UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, we prevent and manage obesity in children and adolescents. This information allows us to recommend an approach that works for your specific body type, making your plan more successful. This approach is effective at controlling hunger and allowing you to lose weight without losing muscle. As a core component of our dietary program, we create a carefully tailored plan that’s completely customized for you. We specialize in medically supervised weight management plans and nutrition therapy. Whether you need medical weight loss or bariatric surgery, we offer solutions and support in a compassionate environment. Circle Medical is a full-stack primary care provider that offers both in-person and online healthcare services so you receive care the way you prefer. Circle Medical is a full-stack primary care provider that offers both in-person and telehealth care options. If you are experiencing symptoms of tonsillitis, it’s best to consult a health care provider. We help you find the right option, adjust your medications as necessary and adopt healthier habits. Our comprehensive approach maximizes weight loss and improves overall health. Each medically supervised weight loss plan is fully customized to your needs and goals. Get more information about our medical weight loss plan and connect with an expert. People taking the pills lost almost as much weight as those taking the injectable version of the drug. Quitting it can lead to regaining most of the lost weight. Novo Nordisk also has a savings program to help with your out-of-pocket costs. Semaglutide has been shown in studies to cause a rare kind of thyroid tumor in animals, but it is not known if it can cause thyroid cancer in people. Adverse effects include flatulence, oily spotting, and fecal urgency and incontinence. Discontinuation for adverse effects is not different from placebo. Common adverse effects include insomnia, irritability, and anxiety; adverse effects do not appear to be different from placebo in limited study. Phentermine is contraindicated in patients with uncontrolled hypertension, history of cardiovascular disease, or untreated hyperthyroidism. Although approved for short-term use, sympathomimetic amines are often used for longer periods. This means the brain stops defending a higher weight and is comfortable at a lower weight. To try and find the best fit for you, your doctor will likely prescribe a limited amount of a medication, so you can try it for 4-6 weeks. Which means, you might regain the weight back or gain even more. Weight loss treatments and plans we offer After you start any treatment we prescribe, we’ll check in with you to see how you’re getting on. We’ll get in touch with advice on how to best take your medicine and help you make the lifestyle changes you need to manage your weight over the long-term. More than 2/3 adults in the UK are either overweight or obese. Being overweight is a very common problem. You’ve likely heard all about the importance of a nutritious diet and routine exercise when it comes to achieving your target body weight. Our experts work closely with you at every step to supervise your weight loss and ensure that you’re staying healthy. We create your personalized dietary program around your food preferences, body composition, metabolism and medical history. It also can't be mixed with pain relievers or other drugs that contain opioids. The company that makes it, Currax, has a program to help with your out-of-pocket costs. Rare but serious side effects include an allergic reaction, seizures, liver damage, increased blood pressure or heart rate, and vision problems. Naltrexone is approved to treat alcohol and opioid dependence. Your insurance may cover tirzepatide for diabetes control. C Additional health benefits seen in clinical studies. B We’ll let you know the dosing schedule in your personalised treatment plan. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. To book a consultation with Mr James about tailored skin tightening and body contouring treatments, please contact us here.You might need to take semaglutide for life to manage your weight.The care we offer goes beyond what some online providers can offer.Tell your health care provider if you take diabetes medicines, especially insulin and sulfonylurea medicines.“We now have a generation of very effective weight loss drugs,” says Craig Primack, MD, an obesity medicine physician with Scottsdale Weight Loss Center in Scottsdale, Arizona.Weight loss medications can help your body to burn extra energy; however, there are some potential negative side effects that can be caused by these medications.If more than 5% weight loss is not achieved after 12 weeks of the maximum dose, the weight loss pill should be gradually discontinued. Next came a dual receptor agonist, Mounjaro, which is indicated for type 2 diabetes, and Zepbound, which is indicated for obesity. Body weight often plateaus before increasing again after treatment cessation (Christoffersen et al., 2022). However, guidelines suggest different weight targets are set depending on the complications, such as 5-15% weight loss for metabolic syndrome, type 2 DM and cardiovascular disease, 7-8% for obstructive sleep apnea and asthma, and 10-40% for steatohepatitis (Garvey et al., 2016). A phase 1 study showed AMG 133 had an acceptable safety and tolerability profile and resulted in dose-dependent weight loss (Veniant et al., 2024). Typically, your body tightly regulates your body set point just like it maintains healthy blood sugar levels. He says that the weight range you tend to stay in is your body’s set point. As Dr. Butsch explains, obesity is a chronic disease that needs long-term treatment. For best results, providers recommend you use the medication alongside a reduced-calorie diet and a regular exercise routine. And a new study in adolescents with obesity found that the medication worked just as well for them. Both My Plan and personalized meal plans are designed to make healthy eating simple, enjoyable, and sustainable, no matter your starting point. Stanford Health Care provides comprehensive services to refer and track patients, as well as the latest information and news for physicians and office staff. A referral from your primary care doctor is required. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future. At the BMI Center, we start by performing a comprehensive assessment of your overall health. But practicing healthy lifestyle habits may help limit weight gain. But losing 5% to 10% of your total weight and keeping it off can have important health benefits. The combination of weight-loss medicine and lifestyle changes leads to greater weight loss than do lifestyle changes alone. For example, you shouldn't take prescription weight-loss drugs if you're trying to get pregnant, are pregnant or are breastfeeding. Prescription weight loss drugs can be an effective treatment for obesity.To lose weight (and keep it off), it’s important to address your attitudes and emotions related to food.People taking the pills lost almost as much weight as those taking the injectable version of the drug.It's a substance called a hydrogel that's made up of cellulose and citric acid.Due to the high rate of weight regain, we understand that weight loss maintenance is equally as important as weight loss.The degree of weight loss achieved with surgery is usually much greater and lasts longer than with medications.With prescription medications, a healthcare professional can weigh all factors affecting the patient’s lifestyle and BMI and monitor progress and side effects. Is your weight causing other medical problems? Not sure how to check if you're a healthy weight for your height? We can prescribe medicine to help you to lose the extra weight — providing it’s suitable for you. A randomized, controlled trial of 3.0 mg of liraglutide in weight management. All patients also increased their physical activity and had a reduced calorie diet. Every patient is seen by a board-certified primary care physician experienced in caring for patients with weight concerns.Orlistat (also available as branded Xenical) is a weight loss treatment that reduces how much fat is absorbed from food.When using orlistat long term, consider supplementing the diet with fat-soluble vitamins.Phentermine monotherapy (oral dosage of 15 to 37.5 mg, once daily) is the most commonly used anti-obesity medication.Exenetide is the oldest of the GLP-1 agonists approved to treat type 2 diabetes.If you don't lose 5% of your weight after 12 weeks of taking Contrave, your doctor may tell you to stop taking it because it's unlikely to work for you, the FDA says.GIP, short for glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, is another hormone your body makes after you eat.Eating well and being physically active contribute to healthy growth in childhood and good health throughout life. A number of these programs are advertised on social media, the internet, magazines, and other media. The body mass index or BMI predates the bathroom scale by more than half a century, but it has not changed with the times. A registered dietitian clears up the confusion about how many meals you should eat. Our team will help you understand your insurance coverage and costs before starting treatment. Therefore, oral treatments that are easy to use and have a similar weight reduction efficacy to currently approved medications are required. It tested whether, when added to standard care, semaglutide was superior to placebo in reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events among patients with overweight or obesity and preexisting cardiovascular disease who did not have T2DM. The STEP 2 trial (Davies et al., 2021) was conducted in people with obesity and T2DM; the mean weight loss was 9.6% with semaglutide and 3.4% weight loss with placebo and 69% of participants with semaglutide achieved weight loss ≥5%. At one year, some medicines may support around 5% weight loss and others may support around 15%, however the response to the medicine varies between people. Some people may respond better to a certain type of weight loss medicine due to their individual needs, metabolism or lifestyle habits. You can lose weight without exercise, but it's harder to do. To lose weight, you need to lower the total calories you take in from food and drinks. Even this amount of weight loss can lower your risk of some long-term health conditions. A review regarding the Paleo diet and its impact on cardiovascular risk factors suggested that it has favorable effects on lipid profile, blood pressure, and circulating C-reactive protein concentrations, but the evidence is not yet conclusive.66 The Paleo diet emphasizes vegetables and unprocessed foods, but it is also high in saturated fats, which might increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, more evidence is required to confirm its effectiveness and safety.37,41,42 Similar to VLCKDs, ketogenic diet is contraindicated in pregnant women; those with T1DM, kidney failure, or cardiac arrhythmia; and in older patients with frailty. Ketogenic diet is characterized by an extreme reduction in carbohydrate intake (41 Ketogenic diets may decrease appetite and increase lipolysis, which may result in greater metabolic efficiency for fat consumption and can provide the same thermic effects as proteins.41 There are several types of carbohydrate-restricted diets, some of which limit carbohydrates to certain levels without restricting dietary protein and fat (such as the Atkins diet), whereas others allow moderate carbohydrate intake as well as moderate protein and fat intake.37 Some of these supplements can have serious side effects. Several weight-loss medicines are available in the United States. In addition, it's likely the weight will be regained when the medicines are stopped. This evaluation will likely include a review of your medical history, questions about your health, a physical examination, blood work and possibly other diagnostic tests. From there, they can conduct a thorough assessment of your current health and weight. There are also medications that target hormones, or that block the absorption of fat. A personalized approach is typically best, but sometimes, a standard weight loss plan isn’t enough to get you where you want to be. This program stood out because it didn’t just focus on weight loss—it focused on creating a balanced lifestyle. By the end of the year, she had achieved significant weight loss and embraced a sustainable, healthier lifestyle. "It wasn’t just about food—it included exercise, habit-building, and a way to truly get healthy. It felt like a program designed for real people." Having never followed a formal weight loss program before, Rich wanted a plan that would fit seamlessly into his life. For Rich, the journey has led to not only weight loss but also new hobbies, better health, and a renewed sense of purpose. An agonist is a drug that works by acting like a substance that your body naturally has. These drugs do have a lot of similarities but also important differences. He promotes wellness through lifestyle changes, emphasizing exercise, healthy eating, and supportive relationships in addition to traditional metric goals. ABOM, is a board-certified family medicine and obesity medicine physician currently at Norman Regionals Primary Care South OKC clinic. For about two years, compounded versions of semaglutide and tirzepatide were permitted in the U.S. due to shortages. If lifestyle changes haven’t helped you reach a healthy weight, anti-obesity medications might be the answer. Consider asking your healthcare provider about GLP-1 medications if you have mild to moderate obesity. Other weight loss medications may cause neurological and cardiovascular side effects. Unlike other types, the newly approved weight loss drugs don’t have as many side effects. Prescription weight loss drugs are a popular and effective treatment for obesity and for health problems related to being overweight. While they are approved for diabetes, both Mounjaro and Ozempic also make people lose weight by helping you to feel full longer. However, evidence suggests that short-term treatment (3 to 6 months) with weight-loss medications does not produce long-term health benefits (Garvey et al., 2016); therefore, this review focuses on long-term weight-loss anti-obesity medications. Achieving sufficient weight loss to reduce obesity-related diseases requires a variety of interventions, including comprehensive lifestyle modification of diet and exercise, change in behavior, anti-obesity medications, and surgery. Having the personalized support that a doctor offers makes medical weight loss programs an invaluable method for achieving a healthy weight. Phentermine/topiramate ER is contraindicated in pregnancy, uncontrolled hypertension, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, glaucoma, hyperthyroidism, and in patients on monoamine oxidase inhibitors (Pilitsi et al., 2019). The maximum dose of phentermine/topiramate ER is 15 mg of phentermine and 92 mg of topiramate; these doses are lower than those marketed or studied as monotherapies in obesity (Allison et al., 2012). Topiramate is a gamma-aminobutyric acid agonist, glutamate antagonist, and carbonic anhydrase inhibitor; it is a drug used for epilepsy treatment and migraine prophylaxis (Pilitsi et al., 2019). Side effects include headache, overstimulation, high blood pressure, insomnia, rapid or irregular heart rate, and tremor. It is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2. Side effects include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, headache, decreased appetite, dyspepsia, fatigue, dizziness, abdominal pain, increased lipase, and renal insufficiency. Liraglutide is also approved for Type 2 Diabetes, under the brand name Victoza. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of obesity work primarily by reducing appetite and increasing feelings of fullness. Time-restricted eating or intermittent fasting can be considered other options for weight loss and its maintenance. Improvement in cardiometabolic factors strongly depends on degree of weight loss. There is no single best strategy for weight management, although some evidence-based methods have been suggested (Table 1). The 2018 the Diet Intervention Examining The Factors Interacting with Treatment Success (DIETFITS) study found no significant differences in weight loss between low-fat and low-carbohydrate diets.16 However, meal planning and preparation take effort, and weight-loss maintenance requires a sustained low-calorie diet. The key component of diets for weight loss and weight-loss maintenance is an energy deficit. In this review, we discuss several evidence-based dietary interventions for weight loss and weight-loss management based on these components. New dietary information has only added to the current confusion due to several controversial dietary regimens, and there is no clear guidance on the optimal diet for weight loss. Meal timing is also an important factor in weight management, and higher-calorie breakfasts in combination with overnight fasting may help to prevent obesity. Based on the benefits of dual GLP-1/GIP RAs and dual GLP-1/glucagon RAs, the effect of triple GLP-1/GIP/glucagon RAs on weight loss and glycemic control has also been investigated. Considering that 6 mg was not enough to achieve the desired weight loss target for individuals with a higher BMI, mazdutide administration at a dose of 9 mg, exclusively for adults with a BMI ≥30 kg/m2, is under evaluation (Table 4). In a phase 1b clinical trial in Chinese adults with overweight or obesity, mazdutide up to a dose of 10 mg was well tolerated and had an overall safety profile similar to those of other GLP-1-based therapies. When co-administrated with other therapies, the weight loss effect of cagrilintide is more prominent. Phase 2 studies have used four different doses of orforglipron (12, 24, 36, and 45 mg); at week 26, the mean weight loss from baseline ranged from 8.6% to 12.6% across the orforglipron dose cohorts compared to 2.0% weight loss in the placebo group. For a person who weighs 90.7 kg (200 lb), this would be an excess weight loss of 2.7 kg (6 lb). • Phentermine monotherapy produces a total weight loss of 10% or more with a number needed to treat of 6 compared with lifestyle interventions alone. • Phentermine/topiramate extended-release produces a total weight loss of 10% or more with a number needed to treat of 3 compared with lifestyle interventions alone. We have been a leader in obesity treatment and bariatrics for nearly 20 years, and our team is the most experienced in the Chicago area. The decision to have weight loss surgery is an important and often difficult one. The guidelines for tirzepatide (Zepbound) and semaglutide (Wegovy) state that a patient should have a BMI of 30 or a BMI of 27 with weight-related health problems. The only over-the-counter medicine for weight loss currently approved by the FDA is Alli (orlistat). Studies have also evaluated drugs that target metabolic tissues—such as adipose tissue or muscle—to promote weight loss; however, to date, nothing has carried on into clinical practice.” Vs 2.6% (~6 lb) weight loss with placebo During the trial, 13% of patients in the Wegovy® arm discontinued treatment compared with 27% in the placebo arm.1Missing data were imputed from retrieved subjects of the same randomized treatment arm (RD-MI). A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Victoria had tried multiple diets over the years, including Weight Watchers and Atkins, but found it hard to sustain the results. In January 2023, Victoria Haley began her journey with the Mayo Clinic Diet, as she was determined to improve her health and quality of life. With the support of her family and the resources provided by the program, Julia has experienced changes she once thought were out of reach. In 2023, however, she embarked on a transformative journey with the Mayo Clinic Diet, where she reclaimed her health and rediscovered her confidence. This diet also helps reduce LDL-C,86 but its effects on weight loss were small (–0.8 kg to –1.2 kg).87 Dietary guidelines recommend vegetarian-patterned diets.78 A systemic review suggested that vegetarian diets reduce mean body weight, but the studies are few and of variable quality.79 Since fish and seafood are excluded, this diet is low in omega-3 fats. A systemic review showed that adherence to the Nordic diet significantly improved body weight.71 However, these types of food may be not easily accessible or affordable for everyone and may make the diet difficult to maintain. Usually, a high-protein diet refers to an increased protein intake to 30% of the total daily calories or 1–1.2 g/kg of the ideal body weight per day. In one study, ketogenic diet showed mixed effects on LDL-C level and was not superior to other dietary interventions for weight loss.37 Ketogenic diet can suppress hunger during calorie restriction and may have some therapeutic effects on T2DM, polycystic ovary syndrome, and cardiovascular and neurological diseases. But other potential side effects can be more serious. Plenity isn't considered a drug because it's never absorbed by your body. It's a substance called a hydrogel that's made up of cellulose and citric acid. When using Ozempic to treat diabetes, weight loss is a common side effect. It is not approved for weight loss, but some physicians prescribe it to be used for weight loss. Do health experts recommend Ozempic for weight loss purposes? “With all four legs on the ground, you have a pretty stable base to lose weight,” Primack says. It has performed well in clinical trials, with patients reported as experiencing significant weight loss. Liraglutide is a daily injectable medication that acts on hormones that send signals from the gut to the brain to make the patient feel full quicker and decrease hunger signals. Ozempic may be a more familiar name to some patients. This progression can help to alleviate side effects, which include gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, dizziness, and fatigue. Wegovy is a brand name for semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It can be easy to overlook first-generation AOMs, but these may be appropriate for some patients, especially when cost is a factor.