Who Can Take Obesity Drugs, and Who Shouldn’t?
While weight loss medications can be effective in aiding weight loss, they are typically prescribed only in cases of obesity or overweight that can lead to severe health problems.“The clinician can review and follow several published guidelines that have summarized best evidence of when to initiate pharmacologic therapies,” Mary Ann Kliethermes, who holds a doctorate in pharmacy and is the director of medication safety and quality for the American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists, told The Epoch Times.
“It is inappropriate for people taking these classes of medications purely for cosmetic reasons,” said Dr. Amanda Velazquez, director of obesity medicine in the Department of Surgery at Cedars-Sinai Hospital.
2 Common Types of Weight Loss Drugs
Weight loss drugs that are currently available include:Fat Absorption Inhibitors
Orlistat is a fat absorption inhibitor that reduces our ability to absorb fat in the intestines. It inhibits an enzyme called lipase, which breaks down fat molecules. This prevents the body from absorbing and storing dietary fats.Appetite Suppressants
Appetite suppressants work by reducing hunger and promoting feelings of fullness.The most common side effects of Wegovy include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation.
Possible Severe Side Effects and ‘Lifelong’ Treatment
However, tirzepatide and Wegovy are also associated with a potentially severe side effect.The FDA warns that Saxenda causes thyroid tumors at “clinically relevant exposures” in rats. “It is unknown whether Saxenda causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans,” cautioned the FDA.
These drugs are also intended to be taken lifelong to maintain weight loss.
“This is because obesity is a chronic, complex medical condition, just like high blood pressure and diabetes. Thus, we treat it similarly—lifelong,” said Velazquez.
These drugs aren’t magic bullets.
“It is important for everyone to understand that all medications have a benefit and a risk,” said Kliethermes. Before using them, doctors also need to consider individually whether patients have other medical conditions, other medications, and the cost.
Natural Metabolism Boosters
Metabolism boosters work by increasing the metabolic rate of the body and thus stimulate the body to burn more calories than it normally would.Natural metabolism boosters include: