|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Services |
 |
| Health Information |
|
| Donate / Volunteer |
|
| Our Hospitals & Clinics |
|
| Career Opportunities |
|
| About Us |
|
| Quality & Safety |
|
| Schools & Education |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
Illness and Conditions - Illnesses & Conditions
Obesity: Should I take weight-loss medicine?You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Obesity: Should I take weight-loss medicine? Get the facts Your options
Key points to remember
FAQs
What are weight-loss medicines?Most weight-loss medicines work by making you feel less hungry or making you feel full sooner, so you don't eat as much. Weight-loss medicines include:
Weight-loss medicines are used along with diet changes and more physical activity. Without those lifestyle changes, you will gain the weight back if you stop taking the medicine. Medicine doesn't work for everyone. If you don't lose weight within 4 weeks of starting the medicine, it will probably not help you. 1 What are the risks and side effects of weight-loss medicines?Weight-loss drugs are safer than they used to be, but they still have side effects that are sometimes serious. And experts don't know how safe or effective they are beyond 2 years of use. 2
If you are under a lot of stress , have an emotional illness such as anxiety or depression , or have an alcohol or drug problem, you need treatment for that problem before you use weight-loss medicine. If you don't treat it, you will have a harder time losing weight. Why might your doctor recommend weight-loss medicine?Your doctor may recommend weight-loss medicine if:
Compare your options Compare
Take weight-loss
medicines Take weight-loss
medicines
Use only diet and
exercise to lose weight Use only diet and
exercise to lose weight
Personal stories Are you interested in what others decided to do? Many people have faced this decision. These personal stories may help you decide. Personal stories about using medicine for obesityThese stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. I was concerned about taking a weight-loss medication. I was worried about those stimulant diet pills that people took years ago that had such a questionable reputation. But after struggling to lose not even 5 lb (2.27 kg) over the past 8 months, I am now ready to see whether medications can add anything to the good habits I've tried to establish. I know the medication isn't going to be a magic bullet, but I hope it can give me that little extra help I seem to need. John, age 50 I realize that I didn't gain my extra weight in just a few months, and I don't expect to be able to lose it all quickly. I want to get back to eating a more balanced diet again, and set a good example for my kids so that they don't develop poor eating habits as they grow up. I plan to start taking them for walks and introducing them to lots of outdoor activities that we can do together. I don't want to be on pills for the rest of my life; I need a long-term solution. George, age 45 My sister has been taking a weight-loss medication for about 4 months now, and she has been on a low-fat diet. We have been walking together 3 times a week. She has lost about 10 lb (4.54 kg) already. I don't think I've lost any weight yet, even though I have been watching what I eat, too. I think if the medication gives me a little help towards losing those first few pounds, I have the good habits and will power to keep the weight off on my own. Susan, age 42 I know several people who have taken appetite suppressants, and while they worked well for some people, they didn't seem to work at all for others. And the side effects of Xenical sound pretty unpleasant to me. I have made a few changes in my diet, and I am walking twice a week. I'm going to give myself at least a year of a balanced diet and exercise before I consider whether I want to try taking a medication. Carla, age 40 For more information, see the topic Obesity. What matters most to you? Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to take weight-loss medicine Reasons not to take weight-loss medicine I am desperate to lose weight, and I think medicine will help me. I don't like the idea of taking medicine. More important Equally important More important
I have tried diet and exercise, and I just can't seem to lose weight. I want to keep trying diet and exercise before I start taking medicine. More important Equally important More important
I'm not worried about the cost of medicine. I don't think I can afford the cost of medicine. More important Equally important More important
I think losing a little bit of weight is worth the side effects of medicine. I don't think the side effects are worth the small amount of weight I might lose by taking medicine. More important Equally important More important
Along with taking medicine, I'm willing to work hard to make permanent changes in my eating and exercise habits. Medicines aren't worth it to me if I'll just gain the weight back without permanent lifestyle changes. More important Equally important More important
My other important reasons: My other important reasons: More important Equally important More important
Where are you leaning now? Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Taking weight-loss medicine NOT taking weight-loss medicine Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward
What else do you need to make your decision? Check the facts
1.
Weight-loss medicine is all I need to lose lots of weight permanently.
2.
I may suffer unpleasant side effects if I take weight-loss medicine.
3.
I am just a little overweight, so weight-loss medicine is probably a good choice for me.
Decide what's next
1.
Do you understand the options available to you?
2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? Certainty
1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Not sure at all Somewhat sure Very sure
2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
3.
Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps. Your summary Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. Your decisionNext steps Which way you're leaning How sure you are Your comments
Your knowledge of the factsKey concepts that you understood Key concepts that may need review Getting ready to actPatient choices Credits and referencesCredits
References
Citations
Obesity: Should I take weight-loss medicine?
You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
1. Get the factsYour options
Key points to remember
FAQs
What are weight-loss medicines?Most weight-loss medicines work by making you feel less hungry or making you feel full sooner, so you don't eat as much. Weight-loss medicines include:
Weight-loss medicines are used along with diet changes and more physical activity. Without those lifestyle changes, you will gain the weight back if you stop taking the medicine. Medicine doesn't work for everyone. If you don't lose weight within 4 weeks of starting the medicine, it will probably not help you. 1 What are the risks and side effects of weight-loss medicines?Weight-loss drugs are safer than they used to be, but they still have side effects that are sometimes serious. And experts don't know how safe or effective they are beyond 2 years of use. 2
If you are under a lot of stress , have an emotional illness such as anxiety or depression , or have an alcohol or drug problem, you need treatment for that problem before you use weight-loss medicine. If you don't treat it, you will have a harder time losing weight. Why might your doctor recommend weight-loss medicine?Your doctor may recommend weight-loss medicine if:
2. Compare your options
Personal storiesAre you interested in what others decided to do? Many people have faced this decision. These personal stories may help you decide. For more information, see the topic Obesity. Personal stories about using medicine for obesityThese stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. "I was concerned about taking a weight-loss medication. I was worried about those stimulant diet pills that people took years ago that had such a questionable reputation. But after struggling to lose not even 5 lb (2.27 kg) over the past 8 months, I am now ready to see whether medications can add anything to the good habits I've tried to establish. I know the medication isn't going to be a magic bullet, but I hope it can give me that little extra help I seem to need." — John, age 50 "I realize that I didn't gain my extra weight in just a few months, and I don't expect to be able to lose it all quickly. I want to get back to eating a more balanced diet again, and set a good example for my kids so that they don't develop poor eating habits as they grow up. I plan to start taking them for walks and introducing them to lots of outdoor activities that we can do together. I don't want to be on pills for the rest of my life; I need a long-term solution." — George, age 45 "My sister has been taking a weight-loss medication for about 4 months now, and she has been on a low-fat diet. We have been walking together 3 times a week. She has lost about 10 lb (4.54 kg) already. I don't think I've lost any weight yet, even though I have been watching what I eat, too. I think if the medication gives me a little help towards losing those first few pounds, I have the good habits and will power to keep the weight off on my own." — Susan, age 42 "I know several people who have taken appetite suppressants, and while they worked well for some people, they didn't seem to work at all for others. And the side effects of Xenical sound pretty unpleasant to me. I have made a few changes in my diet, and I am walking twice a week. I'm going to give myself at least a year of a balanced diet and exercise before I consider whether I want to try taking a medication." — Carla, age 40 3. What matters most to you?Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to take weight-loss medicine Reasons not to take weight-loss medicine I am desperate to lose weight, and I think medicine will help me. I don't like the idea of taking medicine. More important Equally important More important
I have tried diet and exercise, and I just can't seem to lose weight. I want to keep trying diet and exercise before I start taking medicine. More important Equally important More important
I'm not worried about the cost of medicine. I don't think I can afford the cost of medicine. More important Equally important More important
I think losing a little bit of weight is worth the side effects of medicine. I don't think the side effects are worth the small amount of weight I might lose by taking medicine. More important Equally important More important
Along with taking medicine, I'm willing to work hard to make permanent changes in my eating and exercise habits. Medicines aren't worth it to me if I'll just gain the weight back without permanent lifestyle changes. More important Equally important More important
My other important reasons: My other important reasons: More important Equally important More important
4. Where are you leaning now?Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Taking weight-loss medicine NOT taking weight-loss medicine Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward
5. What else do you need to make your decision?Check the facts1. Weight-loss medicine is all I need to lose lots of weight permanently.
You're right. Medicine will probably help you lose just a small amount of weight. And unless you make permanent changes in your eating and exercise habits, you will likely gain back the weight after you stop taking the medicine.
2. I may suffer unpleasant side effects if I take weight-loss medicine.
That's right. Side effects of weight-loss medicines include headaches, nausea, bowel problems, and increased blood pressure. Some people stop taking the medicine because the side effects are too unpleasant.
3. I am just a little overweight, so weight-loss medicine is probably a good choice for me.
Yes, you're right. Weight-loss medicine is usually only for people whose BMI is at least 30 (27.5 if you are Asian or 27 if you have a health problem related to your weight).
Decide what's next1. Do you understand the options available to you? 2. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3. Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? Certainty1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Not sure at all Somewhat sure Very sure
2. Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
3. Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps. Credits
References
Citations
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version. Last Updated: March 2, 2010 Author: Kathleen M. Ariss, MS Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine 
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Privacy Policy. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions. To learn more visit Healthwise.org © 1995-2010 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
|
Print Friendly Page