Weight Loss Medication: What Works, What’s Safe, and How to Get Started

You must have heard these words somewhere for sure in your life. Obviously, who doesn’t want to grab the attention of everyone. Humans love attention, appreciation and compliments. To look beautiful and attractive, people try a lot of techniques. Underweight people are trying to gain weight but most common is overweight. Overweight people try hard to lose weight so they can flaunt their body like a trophy.  A healthy body is not less than a trophy either. But not everyone can feel, understand the pain and mindset of overweight people.  When someone suggests eating less, wearing loose clothes or going for exercise before any important event, it hurts the sensitive mind of those people a lot. They are always asked to have a strong ‘willpower’ to lose weight.  But honestly, if it was about willpower, millions of people around the world wouldn’t be struggling with mental health issues, obesity, health issues because of their overweight body. They are avoiding their favorite food, tracking calories, running, lifting or fasting etc. You must have noticed that ‘weight loss’ is always in their new-year resolution every year.  Do you want to know the real science behind this weight gain? It is the combined result of brain chemistry, metabolism, genetics, environment, mindset, stress level, sleep and more. When a person starts gaining weight, his body also start responding in the similar way. Frequent hunger, food cravings and less sleep. If you have tried every way, then doctors might suggest some weight loss medication according to your health and weight. Remember, every medicine doesn’t work like a magic pill. It needs some time and regular dose to treat the root cause. But every step counts, with every dose, you go near to your goal. 

Now, the question arises, 

• When is weight loss medication even considered? 
• Can we take any medicine? 
• What if any medicine doesn’t work on my body? 
• How much time it will take to reduce weight.

First of all, you need to understand that losing weight within one day is not possible. It’s a long journey depending on your health. Doctors recommend weight loss medication especially if your BMI is higher than 27 with health conditions like high cholesterol, sleep disorder, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure. So, if you want to lose a few pounds, doctors won’t recommend it. But if your overweight is affecting your health, work and life, then they may prescribe some weight loss medication to you. 

Working of weight loss medicine: 

If one medicine is working for your friend, it is not mandatory that it will work for you in the same way. Results vary according to the medical history and metabolism of your body. Every medication works in a different way but overall, it works on these things:

1. Appetite regulation: Here, medication works like a brain signal to affect hunger centers in the body. As a result, a person doesn’t feel food cravings or hunger. With a constant feeling of fullness, he starts eating a balanced diet. 
2. Hormonal pathways: By controlling hormonal level in the human body, these medicines regulate insulin and slow digestion in the body so the brain gets a signal of fullness. 
3. Fat absorption: There are some medicines that stop your body from absorbing fat in the intestines. This is a medical way to remove some fat from the body. 
4. Craving Control: These weight loss medications affect the dopamine pathways so you feel less food cravings. When you won’t feel hungry, the weight gain cycle will stop and medications will work properly on your body.

You need to understand that ‘weight loss’ is not all about ‘burning fat’. It is a medical process to regulate your biological system so you can control your eating behaviour.  

Are weight loss medications safe?

Yes, these are generally safe as your doctor knows your medical history. So, he prescribed it after monitoring everything. But remember, every medication has some risks. So, if you feel any of these symptoms, you should be aware of it.

Common Side Effects: 

Here are some common symptoms that usually go with time.  

• Bloating
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Headache
• Reduced appetite

Serious risks: 

Usually weight loss medicines are safe but there are some serious risks too that need medical assistance immediately. 

• Pancreatitis
• Gallbladder issues
• Blurry vision
• Faint

If you feel any of these symptoms, you need emergency medical help. Even if you take this medicine with his prescription, you should stay in touch with your doctor. 

Myth about weight loss:

People start taking medicine to lose weight but don’t change their lifestyle and eating habits. According to them, they are already taking medicine, so it should be okay. But unfortunately, it is not. Remember, these medications don’t replace healthy food, physical activity, good sleep cycle and stress management. These medicines just enhance your lifestyle efforts.  Many studies have shown that if you follow a healthy lifestyle with medication, you will get the best results. So, treat your medicine as lowering the biological resistance to weight loss, then only you will see your efforts working well. 

Which people should not take weight loss medication?

You shouldn’t take weight loss medicine if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, thyroid issues, gastrointestinal disease or uncontrolled psychiatric conditions. So, before starting any weight loss medication, a full medical evaluation is important for your body and desired results.  How to start your weight loss journey? Weight loss is a long journey and you should understand it in steps. If you follow these steps, you can definitely lose some weight. Remember, health is your goal so don’t worry about the journey.  Step 1: Talk to your doctor before starting your journey.  Step 2: Check your medical history and discuss your family history, ongoing medication, hormonal conditions or previous weight-loss medication history  with the doctor.  Step 3: You might ask for some lab test reports like thyroid function, blood sugar, lipid profile, liver enzymes so they can prescribe medicines according to your body condition.  Step 4: Have some realistic expectations and set a goal to lose 0.5-1 kg per week. Step 5: Most weight loss medicines are designed for long term use as no medicine can work magically overnight. But if you leave medicine without consulting your doctor, it can lead to weight gain. This whole cycle is a metabolic management strategy.   

What happens if you stop taking weight loss medicine?

Remember, obesity is a chronic condition so leaving medicine can be critical. When you stop this medication suddenly, your appetite hormones often rebound so weight gain is common. It doesn’t mean your medication failed and it didn’t work on your body. It actually means that there are still biological drivers in your body. Some patients start taking lower doses so it is really important to understand your weight management.    Conclusion: Not every overweight person should take medication but if you have tried every other way to reduce weight then this medication can be medically appropriate, safe and transformational. If being overweight is affecting your health, energy, quality of life then you deserve support and a decision based on facts.