Should I use prescription medicines to treat obesity?
Introduction
This information will help you understand your choices, whether you share in the decision-making process or rely on your doctor's recommendation.
Key points
Many people seek medical help in dealing with obesity. While medicines often promote weight loss, they may have side effects, and the weight loss may be temporary. Consider the following when making your decision:
- If you are losing weight, even as little as 0.25 kg (0.6 lb) per week, you may not get enough additional benefit from medicine to outweigh the cost and side effects.
- You will likely gain weight back after you stop using medicine.
- Weight-loss medicines generally are used only if you have tried a weight management program, including diet and exercise, for at least 6 months, and your body mass index (BMI) is 30 or more. If you are Asian, your health may be at risk with a BMI of 27.5 or more.1 Talk to your doctor if your BMI is 27 to 30 and you have a condition that is made worse by being overweight. These conditions include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, joint problems, and sleep apnea.
- If you are under severe stress, have an emotional illness such as anxiety or depression, or have an alcohol or drug problem, you need treatment for this condition before using medicine. If you don't treat it, it will make losing weight more difficult.
- It is not known whether it is safe for you to take medicines for obesity for longer than 2 years.
This Decision Point concerns obesity in adults. If you have a child that you think needs medicine to lose weight, consult your health professional.
Medical Information
What is obesity?
Obesity is a complex disease in which having too much body fat puts you at risk for health problems. Obesity is measured by body mass index (BMI). A BMI of 30 or more is considered obese.
What are the risks of obesity?
Being obese increases your risk for many health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and joint problems. Losing even 5% to 10% of your body weight may help reduce your risk. This means, for example, losing 11.5 kg (25 lb) if you weigh 113.5 kg (250 lb).2 Weight loss reduces blood pressure and cholesterol levels and helps reduce blood sugar levels in people who have type 2 diabetes.3
If you need more information, see the topic Obesity.
Your Information
Your choices are to:
- Take medicines that either suppress your appetite or prevent fat from being absorbed.
- Not take medicines.
The decision about whether to use medicines takes into account your personal feelings and the medical facts.
Deciding about using medicines to treat obesity General reasons to take medicines General reasons not to take medicines
- You have tried diet and activity and have lost little or no weight.
- Medicines generally help people lose weight for 1 to 2 years.
- Your self-esteem may improve due to weight loss.
- Losing weight reduces the severity or risk of related health problems such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, or sleep apnea.
Are there other reasons you might want to use medicines?
- If you are losing even as little as 0.25 kg (0.6 lb) per week through diet and activity, you may not get enough additional benefit from medicines to outweigh the cost and side effects.
- It is not known whether it is safe to take weight-loss medicines for longer than 2 years.
- Weight gain usually occurs after you stop using these medicines, especially if you have not made any lifestyle changes.
- Medicine does not work for everyone. If you do not lose weight within 4 weeks of using medicine, it will probably not help you.4
- Medicine is expensive if your provincial health plan or private insurance does not cover it.
Are there other reasons you might not want to use medicines?
- These personal stories may help you make your decision
Wise Health Decision
Use this worksheet to help you make your decision. After completing it, you should have a better idea of how you feel about taking medicine for obesity. Discuss the worksheet with your doctor.
Circle the answer that best applies to you.
My body mass index (BMI) is 30 or more.
Yes No Unsure My BMI is 27 or higher, and I am at risk for a condition that my weight makes worse. Yes No Unsure Other medicine that I'm taking may interfere with medicine for obesity. Yes No Unsure I have the finances and/or insurance to pay for medicine. Yes No Unsure Taking medicine is fine with me. Yes No Unsure I believe that medicine can help me. Yes No Unsure I worry about the side effects of weight-loss medicine. Yes No Unsure Use the following space to list any other important concerns you have about this decision.
What is your overall impression?
Your answers in the above worksheet are meant to give you a general idea of where you stand on this decision. You may have one overriding reason to use or not use medicines for obesity.
Check the box below that represents your overall impression about your decision.
Leaning toward using medicine
Leaning toward NOT using medicine
Return to the topic Obesity.
| Author: | Douglas Dana Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS | Last Updated: July 27, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology & Metabolism David C.W. Lau, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Endocrinology & Metabolism | |
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