Our Caldwell Urgent Care Professionals Explain How Using Medication to Lose Weight Might Make a Difference
People sometimes make it seem like losing weight is as simple as changing your diet, hitting the gym, or taking a certain number of steps every day. However, for many Americans, weight loss is an elusive goal—one made more difficult by genetic and environmental factors that aren’t always easy to control.
You may be able to benefit from prescription weight loss drugs. These types of medication have limited risk, and could potentially help you reclaim your health without drastically altering your body’s internal chemistry. Read on to learn more, or contact Core Medicine of Idaho today to schedule your appointment.
If You’re Worried About Weight, You’re Not Alone
People put on weight, and struggle to keep it off, for many reasons. They include:
- Lifestyle factors, such as not being able to get enough exercise or having too little time to cook healthy meals.
- Confusing public health messages on nutrition, which can make it difficult to understand serving sizes or what constitutes a well-rounded diet.
- Complex health conditions, including hormone disorders and inherited traits, that predispose some individuals to weight gain.
According to the National Institutes of Health, an estimated 71.6% of all adults meet the criteria to be considered either overweight or obese. In Idaho, this number is slightly lower, at 67.4%. Nationwide, more than one-half of the adult population—men and women alike!—reported trying to lose weight in the last 12 months. Many of these attempts either end in failure or culminate in less-evident results than initially hoped.
Clinical Approaches to Weight Management ![weight-loss-drugs-caldwell-urgent-care-family-practice]()
Physicians, psychologists, and other health professionals take different approaches to weight management. Some of the most common strategies include:
- Discussing exercise regimens
- Diet modification and meal planning
- Physical and psychological counseling
- Surgical procedures, like bariatric surgery
- Over-the-counter and prescription medications
More often than not, providers will recommend lifestyle changes as a foundation for your health goals before they consider prescribing medication or exploring options for procedures like bariatric surgery. This has more to do with risk management and building a healthy, sustainable routine than your provider’s opinion of your fitness. While medication can be an effective tool for weight loss, it isn’t a silver bullet.
The 6 Types of Weight Loss Medication
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has only approved six weight-loss drugs for long-term use. They include:
- Bupropion-naltrexone, sold under the brand name Contrave.
- Liraglutide, sold under the brand name Saxenda.
- Orlistat, sold under the brand names Xenical and Alli.
- Phentermine-topiramate, sold under the brand name Qsymia.
- Setmelanotide, sold under the brand name Imcivree.
- Semaglutide, sold under the brand names Wegovy and Ozempic.
Semagltitude medications, like Wegovy and Ozempic, are both recently-approved medications that have shown remarkable success in helping patients lose weight. Both Wegovy and Ozempic work in very similar ways. Instead of “burning” your fat or altering your metabolism, they send your brain signals that suppress hunger and trick your body into feeling full.
Unlike most prescription drugs, semaglutide is usually administered as an injection. It comes in a small, pre-filled injector pen. Your provider may help with your first shot, but will teach you how to take your medicine at home.
How Our Caldwell Urgent Care and Family Practice Office Can Help You
If your intention is to focus on better long-term health, our experienced team of family medicine professionals could:
- Work with you to understand which lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors could make it more difficult for you to lose weight.
- Design a treatment plan that makes sense for your habits and your goals.
- Discuss whether you’d be a good candidate for prescription weight management drugs like Wegovy or Ozempic.
Whatever your goals might be, we'll can help you move toward a happier, healthier future.