If you are very overweight or obese, taking medication to lose weight can be an option to gradually reach your health goal. But what should you bear in mind when it comes to controlled weight loss with the help of medication? And why is it essential to speak to a doctor if you want to take medication for obesity? Find out more here.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why lose weight with medication?
When it comes to weight loss in the context of severe overweight and obesity , doctors always aim for a holistic approach . This means that exercise and a change in diet – in other words, an overall healthy lifestyle – are the goal. Medication alone is not considered useful, but can have a supportive effect. It is important that drug treatment is always carried out under medical supervision.
The extent to which taking medication for weight loss is appropriate depends on various factors:
- What methods have people tried to lose weight?
- Have any accompanying illnesses already occurred, such as diabetes?
- How long has the severe obesity existed?
Weight loss medications can support a diet . They are usually, like obesity surgery, the last choice when conventional therapies alone are unsuccessful.
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Modern drugs for weight loss
If you are thinking about taking medication to lose weight, you have several options to choose from after careful medical advice and depending on what is appropriate. Today, doctors mainly use preparations that were originally developed as diabetes medications. Medications such as Wegovy® or Saxenda® affect blood sugar levels and can thus regulate hunger . Medications that bind and remove fat from food so that the body cannot absorb it in the first place may also help you lose weight.
Tirzepatide – mimics 2 of the body’s own messenger substances
Tirzepatide reduces appetite by imitating the two hormones glucagon-like peptide 1 ( GLP-1 ) and the glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP). This dual effect leads to an improvement in the body’s insulin response – and users eat less food because the active ingredient reduces the development of the feeling of hunger in the brain .
Application: Subcutaneous injection (under the skin)
Possible side effects: Digestive problems such as nausea and diarrhea are very common, especially at the beginning of treatment and when the dose is increased. Undesirable side effects may also occur, such as:
- Hypoglycemia (when tirzepatide is used at the same time as certain type 2 diabetes medications)
- dizziness
- Hair loss
Attention: Whether tirzepatide is suitable for patients with type 2 diabetes should be carefully considered. If you have any questions or concerns, always contact your doctor.
Semaglutide – successor substance with longer duration of action
The drug semaglutide affects the blood sugar level of the user and can therefore regulate both hunger and satiety. It is a further development of liraglutide, which patients only have to inject once a week.
Application: Subcutaneous injection (under the skin)
Product:
- Wegovy® (from 250.96$)
Possible side effects: The most common side effects associated with semaglutide are gastrointestinal complaints. Nausea and diarrhea are possible, particularly in the first few weeks of treatment. Other side effects include:
- Vomiting and stomach pain
- Heartburn or belching
- Inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis)
Attention: Particular caution is required in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. Only a doctor can decide whether medications containing semaglutide are suitable in individual cases.
Liraglutide – regulates food intake
The active ingredient liraglutide was originally introduced as a diabetes medication to lower blood sugar levels. Since 2016, it has been approved to support weight loss – because the drug can also regulate hunger and appetite and prolong the feeling of satiety through its effect on the metabolism.
Liraglutide is injected once a day under the skin: using injection pens, patients can administer the medication themselves.
Application: Subcutaneous injection (under the skin)
Product:
Possible side effects: More than 1 in 10 users have experienced unwanted side effects in the gastrointestinal tract such as nausea, vomiting or constipation. Other possible side effects include:
- Headache
- Weakness, tiredness and dizziness
- Hypoglycemia
Attention: Liraglutide can generally be used in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus – however, the medication must be coordinated with a doctor. Regular check-ups may be necessary.
Orlistat – fat-binding active ingredient
Tablets containing the active ingredient Orlistat are widely used when medical support is needed for weight loss. The preparations bind the fat in the intestine , which is then excreted undigested in the stool.
Application : Tablets or hard capsules for oral use
Products :
- Orlistat-ratiopharm® 120 mg (from 95.50$)
- Xenical® 120 mg (from 120$)
- Orlistat – 1 A Pharma® (from 90$)
Possible side effects : Headaches are very common (affects about 1 in 10 people) when using Orlistat. The following side effects may also occur:
- Respiratory diseases
- low blood sugar levels
- Urinary tract infections
Important note : Even though low doses of Orlistat are available without a prescription, a doctor or pharmacist should always assess whether medication is appropriate in addition to a change in diet and exercise program.
Other medications for weight loss
When looking for medicinal support for weight loss, patients often come across the following active ingredients:
- Bupropion : a dopamine and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor
- Naltrexone: a so-called opioid receptor antagonist
For a long time, doctors used bupropion to help people quit smoking and to treat depression. The active ingredient is related to amphetamines, which have a strong stimulating effect on the body. Naltrexone was used in the past to treat addiction syndromes such as alcohol or opiate addiction. Both active ingredients are no longer used to treat obesity .
Natural medicines for weight loss – a viable option?
Many people wonder whether there are natural substances that can help with weight loss. In most cases, however, there are hardly any scientific studies, especially with homeopathic preparations, that can confirm the effect of such medications.
This is precisely why “natural” food supplements can only be seen as a complementary therapy in the treatment of obesity. A fundamental change in diet and a healthy lifestyle are always the best way to counteract excess body fat.
Tea, caffeine and guarana as fat burners
Green tea contains polyphenols , secondary plant substances that can support fat burning . In a study on mice that were given green tea extract, researchers also observed a regulation of the absorption of fat from food. The caffeine contained in green tea or tea extract is also often attributed a metabolism-activating effect.
More of this can be found in guarana , which also contains theophylline and theobromine. These two substances are breakdown products of caffeine. Doctors suspect a dehydrating effect , which can also cause weight loss when you first start taking it. However , no study has yet been able to prove a direct effect of guarana on fat burning .
Warning : Ephedra herb, also known as sea vine, Ma-huang or Mexican tea, is also considered a natural weight loss remedy – but experts strongly advise against this. The plant can affect the organism on a variety of levels: from (nerve) stimulating and blood pressure increasing effects to dehydrating and appetite suppressing properties. These effects are due to the ephedra alkaloids it contains, which act in a similar way to stimulating amphetamines. Taking it poses a risk to the body.
Appetite suppressants and stomach fillers
Plant fibers , such as linseed and psyllium , swell up when combined with water. This fills the stomach, giving you a feeling of fullness even though they contain hardly any calories.
Important : The consumption of such fillers should always be accompanied by sufficient liquid. 2-3 liters of water or unsweetened tea should be consumed daily.
In addition, bitter substances have a reputation for having a positive effect on digestion by stimulating the production of gastric juice and bile. In some cases, users of natural bitter substances, such as those found in chicory or endive, also report a regulated feeling of hunger .
Lose weight gently with homeopathic remedies?
Homeopaths often use remedies such as Fucus vesiculosus to support the treatment of obesity. This is a preparation made from bladderwrack, which is available in the form of globules, for example. The mechanism of action of Fucus vesiculosus is said to be an effect on the thyroid: the iodine contained in bladderwrack is said to stimulate the organ, which plays a major role in metabolism. Users also report an appetite-suppressing effect .
The effectiveness of homeopathic medicines for weight loss has not been scientifically proven . Doctors even advise patients with an overactive thyroid not to take Fucus vesiculosus because of the iodine content. The same applies to preparations containing the Japanese brown algae Wakame, which also has a high concentration of iodine.
Depending on the clinical picture, homeopathic practitioners also prescribe Calcium Carbonicum Hahnemanni . This preparation is based on a trituration made from oysters. It is intended to help patients to get cravings under control – users have reported success in some cases, particularly in cases of emotionally-based cravings.
Due to a lack of scientific evidence for the effectiveness of such preparations, homeopathic remedies are also only suitable to a limited extent for the treatment of severe obesity – and should only be used as a supplement to a calorie-conscious diet and an active lifestyle.
Buy weight loss medication without a prescription?
Some weight loss medications are available over the counter in pharmacies . They are considered less effective than prescription drugs . Important when using them: speak to your pharmacist before treatment . He can explain the success of the treatment and possible interactions.
Avoid buying prescription weight loss products over the counter from dubious sources . It is often not clear which ingredients are in the product and in what concentration. This can pose serious health risks .
Since medical supervision is necessary, especially in cases of severe overweight and severe forms of obesity, patients should never buy and take prescription drugs for weight loss without a prescription. This is not only a criminal offense, but also poses health risks.
Especially if you have diabetes , the uncontrolled use of prescription drugs for weight loss can be associated with high risks: drugs such as liraglutide or semaglutide affect blood sugar levels, which can lead to life-threatening hypoglycemia in diabetics. Only a doctor can decide whether and under what circumstances medication is suitable for people with increased body weight.
Looking for discreet medical advice? Use our service for overweight and obesity now . Not only will you receive an individual treatment recommendation that meets your needs – depending on the appropriateness, our doctors will also prescribe a suitable medication for weight loss.
Medication for severe overweight and obesity
Conclusion
Doctors refer to a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more as severe overweight and obesity. In addition to a change in diet and lifestyle , weight loss medication can complement therapy, as long as there is no medical reason not to use it. Treatment options range from weight loss tablets that bind fat from digestion to injection pens that allow patients to inject the medication under the skin at regular intervals.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about weight loss medications
Which medications really help you lose weight?
Proven effects on weight loss have been shown with approved drugs such as tirzepatide, semaglutide, liraglutide and orlistat. The effectiveness of over-the-counter preparations, on the other hand, is often not scientifically proven.
Is semaglutide a suitable weight loss medication for me?
Only your doctor can decide whether semaglutide is suitable for you. The patient’s individual health condition, possible side effects and risk factors must be considered and weighed up. It is therefore not possible to say in general terms whether semaglutide is suitable for you or not.
Are dietary supplements medications for weight loss?
Dietary supplements are not the same as weight loss medication. Rather, they are a supplement to a healthy lifestyle and can only in a few cases support a diet.
Medically reviewed by:
Dr. med. Ulrike Lange
Specialist in Neurology, Medical Director
Dr. Ulrike Lange is Medical Director at Prime Weight Loss Clinic and has been part of the medical team since 2018. She completed her specialist training in neurology in 2018. Before joining Prime Weight Loss Clinic, Dr. Ulrike Lange worked on a clinical research project on neurodegenerative diseases at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London.
