Weight loss medication can be a powerful tool that can help you lose weight and keep it off. Of course, these medications must be combined with lifestyle changes, but they generally make it easier to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The first step in medical weight management is to evaluate your current medication regimen. Many common medications that are routinely prescribed for high blood pressure, diabetes, depression and several other common conditions are known to cause weight gain. If you have been prescribed these medications, many times they can be substituted for similar medications that are weight-neutral, or may even cause weight loss. This alone may make a big difference in your efforts to maintain a healthy weight.
On the other hand, there are a variety of medications that can be used exclusively for the purpose of losing weight. The most popular of these medications, phentermine, has been safely used to treat patients for 60 years. Newer medications include Qsymia®, Contrave®, Belviq® and orlistat.
While these medications are generally considered safe, you will need a thorough medical workup, including labs and EKG, prior to starting any new medication to make sure that the benefits outweigh any risk. While you are taking these medications, you will be closely supervised by our multidisciplinary weight loss medical team at Sutter Medical Foundation.