If you’ve been hearing more about medical weight loss treatments from friends, family, social media or the news, you may be wondering what they actually are, how they work and whether they might be suitable for you.
Weight management can be challenging, and there is no single approach that works for everyone. Healthy eating, regular physical activity, sleep and sustainable lifestyle changes remain important foundations. For some people, however, a healthcare professional may recommend medication as part of a broader weight management plan.
At Belmont City Community Pharmacy, we believe it’s important to have clear, reliable information so you can make informed decisions about your health.
What are medical weight loss treatments?
Medical weight loss treatments are prescription medicines that may help some people manage their weight when used alongside lifestyle changes.
Different medicines work in different ways. Depending on the treatment, they may help:
- Reduce appetite
- Reduce hunger or food cravings
- Help you feel fuller for longer
- Slow the movement of food through the stomach
- Reduce the amount of dietary fat absorbed by the body
Weight loss medicines are not a replacement for healthy eating and physical activity, and they are not suitable for everyone. Your doctor will consider factors such as your medical history, current medicines, health conditions and individual circumstances before deciding whether medication is appropriate.
Why are these treatments getting so much attention?
You may have heard people talking about medicines that affect hormones involved in appetite and blood sugar regulation, including GLP-1 medicines and newer medicines that act on more than one hormone pathway.
These treatments have attracted significant attention because they can produce meaningful weight loss for some people. However, they are prescription medicines and need to be used under appropriate medical supervision.
Not all the available treatments for weight loss are suitable for everyone.
If you’re considering weight loss medication, speaking with your Pharmacist or GP is a good place to start.
Do weight loss medicines actually work?
For some people, prescription weight loss medicines can help achieve greater weight loss than lifestyle changes alone.
However, the results vary from person to person. These medicines are generally intended to be used alongside a balanced diet, physical activity and other healthy lifestyle changes, rather than as a stand-alone solution.
It’s also important to understand that weight loss medicines do not permanently “cure” obesity. Maintaining healthy habits and receiving ongoing healthcare support can be important for long-term weight management. Some people may regain weight after stopping treatment.
What about side effects?
Like all medicines, weight loss medicines can have side effects.
Some commonly reported side effects include digestive symptoms such as nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating and reflux.
The possible side effects depend on the particular medicine and your individual circumstances.
Your pharmacist can also help you understand your medicine, how to use it correctly and what side effects to look out for.
How can your pharmacist help?
Your pharmacist can be an important part of your healthcare team throughout your weight management journey.
At Belmont City Community Pharmacy, our team can help you understand your medicines, answer questions about how they should be taken, discuss potential side effects and identify possible medicine interactions.
If you’re considering medical weight management but aren’t sure where to begin, we can also encourage you to speak with your GP about whether this approach may be appropriate for you.
Most importantly, you don’t have to navigate your medicines alone.
Weight management is about more than a number on the scales
Healthy weight management isn’t about finding a quick fix.
It’s about finding an approach that is safe, realistic and appropriate for your individual health needs. For some people, lifestyle changes may be enough. For others, medical treatment may form part of a longer-term management plan.
Whatever your situation, getting advice from qualified healthcare professionals can help you understand your options and make informed choices.
Have questions about weight management or your medicines? Talk to the friendly team at Belmont City Community Pharmacy. We’re here to help.
This article provides general health information only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing medication.
Healthdirect Australia and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
