Prescriptions for obesity

Prescription medication may be a useful addition to lifestyle measures for managing obesity. 

Expected weight loss in 1 year is about 4%-22% of your overall body weight.^34,35

In the past few years a number of medications that can be taken for more than three months have become available. These medications usually reduce appetite and increase or prolong feelings of fullness after eating.^31,32,33

When lifestyle and behavioural modification strategies are insufficient and BMI remains greater than 30 or between 27–30 with obesity-related complications, these medications may be appropriate.^12,31,32,33

How well does pharmacotherapy work?

Clinical studies of drug therapies have shown average weight loss of between 3% and 12% of baseline bodyweight; an outcome strongly influenced by individual physiology.¹²

In order to take medications for more than three months, you must lose at least 5% of your starting weight within 12 weeks of commencing the maximum recommended dose.^32,33

In clinical studies, 50–68% of people achieved this required weight loss.^32,33 If you have not lost at least 5% of your starting weight in three months or you need to lose more, your doctor will discuss additional options with you.¹²

_References

_{12. Pilitsi E, et al. Pharmacotherapy of obesity: Available medications and drugs under investigation. Metab Clin Exp 2019; 92: 170–92.}

_{31. Lee PC, Dixon J. Pharmacotherapy for obesity. Aust Fam Phys. 2017; 46(7): 472–7}

_{32. Saxenda Product Information. Available at https://www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/auspar-liraglutide-190429-pi.pdf Accessed December 2019.}

_{33. Contrave Product Information. Available at https://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/ebs/picmi/picmirepository.nsf/pdf?OpenAgent&id=CP-2019-PI-01018-1&d=201912201016933 Accessed December 2019.}

^{34 Pilitsi E, et al. Pharmacotherapy of obesity: Available medications and drugs under investigation. Metab Clin Exp 2019; 92: 170-92.}

^{35 Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, et al. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2022;387(3):205-216. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2206038}