Transform Your Body with MD4 Fitness

Medications for Weight Management and Related Conditions:

Semaglutide

• Class: GLP-1 receptor agonist
• Primary Use: Weight management and type 2 diabetes management
• Note: Demonstrates significant weight loss results in clinical studies.

Tirzepatide

• Class: Dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist
• Primary Use: Weight management and type 2 diabetes management
• Demonstrates siginificant weight loss as observed in clinical trials

Orlistat

• Class: Lipase inhibitor
• Primary Use: Weight loss by reducing fat absorption
• Note: Requires adherence to a low-fat diet to minimize gastrointestinal side effects.

Phentermine-Topiramate

• Class: Combination of sympathomimetic amine and anticonvulsant
• Primary Use: Appetite suppression and weight loss
• Note: Requires monitoring for potential side effects, including mood changes and increased heart rate.

Naltrexone-Bupropion

• Class: Combination of opioid antagonist and antidepressant
• Primary Use: Weight loss through appetite control and increased energy expenditure
• Note: Monitor for potential neuropsychiatric effects.

Liraglutide

• Class: GLP-1 receptor agonist
• Primary Use: Weight management
• Additional Benefit: Also used for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes (as Victoza)
• Note: Administered via injection; monitor for gastrointestinal side effects.

Phentermine

• Class: Sympathomimetic amine
• Primary Use: Appetite suppression for short-term weight loss
• Note: Often prescribed for a few weeks due to risk of dependence.

To justify the use of weight loss enhancers, guidelines are that the patient should have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above, or a BMI of greater than 27 with at least one comorbidity factor, or a measurable body fat content equal to or greater than 25% of total body weight for male patients or 30% of total body weight.

Psychotropic medications might be prescribed  (sometimes off-label) to help with issues that might impair ones efforts to be successful with life-style/behavioral changes such as diet and exercise .

• Bupropion is an antidepressant on which patients often loose weight as a side effect. It might help with depressed mood leading to lack of energy and motivation.  It might help with smoking cessation if one has a fear of  consequential weight gain.  It might help with ADHD if related impulsivity leads to overeating. 
• Fluoxetine is an anti-depressant that may help reducing anxiety impairing behavioral changes.  It is unlikely to cause weight gain. It may help with obsessions and compulsions and helps some people with bulimia (not treated in this practice).
• Topiramate may decrease binge eating.
• LIisdexamfetamine may help with binge eating disorder and ADHD.
• Naltrexone might help to abstain from alcohol. 
• Phenermine an anti-obesity drug is sometime used off label for ADHD.
• Sleep inducing meds might be used for insomnia as getting about seven to nine  hours of sleep per night is important for most people including for maintaining if not losing weight.
• Bupropion, Topiramate, and Naltrexone are components in some anti-obesity medications but in the case where anti-obesity medication are not indicated may still be used to help make life-style changes including incorporating diet and exercise.

Risks and benefit may be discussed.  There are many on the market, but the evidence of efficacy is usually limited. 

 (a) We do not promise specific results;(b) We do not want you to have unreasonable expectations, everybody responds differently to meds, the benefits of weight loss described do not apply to everyone.(c) We do not claim rapid, dramatic, incredible, or safe weight loss;(d) It should be understood that diet and exercise is required,, that weight loss is not effortless or magical.