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How treatment with medications can help you lose excess weight

Medication for weight loss is getting lots of attention these days. Weight loss drugs are meant to be used along with diet, behaviour changes, and exercise – not instead of them.1 And, as always, education and dialogue between you and your healthcare team are key.

Weight loss drugs work in different ways and have different potential side effects.2 But they all require proper medical supervision.2 

Most prescription weight-loss drugs work by making you feel less hungry or fuller. Some do both. 1

Different countries also offer different weight-loss drugs based on their healthcare systems.1 

Before potentially selecting a weight loss drug for you, your healthcare professional will consider your health history as well as possible side effects of taking medication.3 

Increasing your chances of success

Evidence suggests that patients have the best results with weight loss drugs when they also monitor how much they eat and drink and increase activity levels.1 

Many patients have experienced difficulties with weight loss medications in the past or have been disappointed when the drugs have been taken off the market.4 However, new treatments continue to be developed.4 

To increase your chances of success, it's important to know what challenges you might face during treatment. And you should be ready to discuss any challenges with your doctor.  
Potential challenges3

Challenges with weight loss drugs can include:

  • Not everyone can tolerate the specific side effects they experience. 
  • Different weight loss medicines may not work for everyone.5 
  • The weight loss effects may fade or plateau as time goes by.5  
  • When you stop taking a weight loss drug, you may regain much or all the weight you have lost.5 Most patients regain half the weight within a year of stopping. 6,7 

If you experience these challenges, ask your doctor about your options. Just because one treatment didn't work for you doesn't mean that no treatment will work. 

References 

1. Terry K., Weight Loss Drugs Should Be Taken With Diet and Exercise, Feb 2024 https://www.webmd.com/obesity/news/20240208/weight-loss-drugs-should-be-taken-with-diet-exercise

2. Mayo Clinic, Prescription weight-loss drugs Study the pros and cons of medicines to treat obesity. Oct. 2022 https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/ weight-loss/in-depth/weight-loss-drugs/art-20044832#:~:text=Rarely%2C%20serious%20side%20effects%20can,always%20paid%20for%20by%20insurance. 

3. Healthline Media, Are Weight Loss Medications Effective? A dietitian explains. 2024  https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/weight-loss-medication

4. Rodgers R. John, et al., Anti-obesity drugs: past, present, and future. Dis Model Mech. 2012 Sep; 5(5): 621–626. doi: 10.1242/dmm.009621 

5. Mayo Clinic, Obesity, Diseases & Conditions. 1998-2024 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/obesity/diagnosis-treatement/drc-20375749

6. Rubino D, Abrahamsson N, Davies M, et al. Effect of Continued Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Placebo on Weight Loss Maintenance in Adults With Overweight or Obesity: The STEP 4 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2021;325(14):1414-1425. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.3224 

7. Eli Lilly and Company. “Tirzepatide demonstrated significant and superior weight loss compared to placebo in two pivotal studies.” Press release: PRNewswire. July 27, 2023. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tirzepatide-demonstrated-significant-and-superior-weight-loss-compared-to-placebo-in-twopivotal-studies-301887287.html 

Disclaimer

Information contained herein is not medical advice and should not be used as an alternative to speaking with your doctor. 
Discuss indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, adverse events and any further information with your health care professional.