Pharmacotherapy for Weight Loss

There are a lot of people who are struggling to get their weight under control. The battle against excess fat is different for each person. Some just simply have the Battle of the Bulge. They may have an extra 10 or 15 pounds around their waist, on their thighs or around their arms. With a couple of months of exercise and diet, it is likely that they will be able to get this excess weight under control.

Then there are people who are obese. These people have a body mass index that puts them at risk for a wide range of diseases and some cancers. Obesity treatment requires a more strenuous approach than simply trying to lose a few pounds. For some patients, treating obesity requires complete lifestyle intervention. Pharmacotherapy is used by patients who are having difficulty with weight loss.

Different pharmaceuticals have been approved by the FDA as a way of helping a person lose weight. Some prevent the body from digesting fat, and the result is weight loss. Each drug has its side effects, and doctors will need to balance the side effects of the drug with the need of the patient to lose weight.

Obesity is very serious because it is a primary factor in individuals who have type II diabetes. Other serious ailments, such as hypertension and coronary disease, are linked to obesity. Many studies have shown that obesity can cause a person to develop malignancies in their colon, pancreas and breasts.

Before pharmacotherapy is used, our medical professionals may encourage the patient to change their lifestyle. This includes reducing the amount of calories they consume and increasing their exercise. People are encouraged to improve their nutrition and take other lifestyle steps to help them lose weight. Unfortunately, in many cases of severe obesity, lifestyle interventions are not enough. In these instances, pharmacotherapy is used in conjunction with lifestyle intervention.

It is important for people to understand the interplay that exists between taking drugs to help your body lose weight and changing your lifestyle. Pharmacotherapy can only produce limited results on its own.

Our health providers will encourage patients to exercise and change their diet for at least three to six months. If after this extended period of time sufficient weight loss is not attained, then pharmacotherapy intervention may be considered.

It is important that anyone looking to lose weight discuss their weight loss options with our medical professionals at Simply Slim Medical in Bethesda. Diet and exercise are keys to success. However, in extreme cases, pharmaceuticals may be used to help the patient achieve their goal. Contact us today to schedule your appointment to learn more.