| Commonly Asked Questions About Weight-Loss Medications |
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Because obesity is a chronic disease, any treatment,
whether drug or non-drug, may need to be continued for years, and perhaps a
lifetime, to improve health and maintain a healthy weight. Can medications replace physical activity or changes in eating habits as a way to lose weight? No. Studies show that weight-loss medications work best when combined with a weight-control program that helps you improve your eating and physical activity habits. Ask your doctor about ways you can improve your eating plan and become more physically active. What medical conditions or medications might influence my decision to take a weight-loss drug? Let your doctor know if you have any of the following medical conditions, which may affect which weight-loss drugs you can take, if any: o Pregnancy or breast-feeding o History of drug or alcohol abuse o History of anorexia or bulimia o History of depression or manic depressive disorder o Use of monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors or antidepressant medications o Migraine headaches requiring medication o Glaucoma o Diabetes o Heart disease or heart condition, such as an irregular heart beat o High blood pressure o Plan to have surgery that requires general anesthesia. How long will I need to take weight-loss medications to treat obesity? The answer depends upon whether the medication helps you to lose and maintain weight and whether you have any side effects. Because obesity is a chronic disease, any treatment, whether drug or non-drug, may need to be continued for years, and perhaps a lifetime, to improve health and maintain a healthy weight. However, like many other types of drugs, there is still little information on how safe and effective weight-loss medications are for many years of use. At least one study has shown that intermittent use (one month on medication and one month off medication) may help some people lose and maintain weight, but more research is needed. Will I regain some weight after I s taking weight-loss medications? Probably. Most studies show that the majority of patients who s taking weight-loss medications regain the weight they lost. Maintaining healthy eating and physical activity habits may help you regain less weight. Can children or teens use weight-loss medications? Orlistat is currently approved for use in teens age 12 or above. Other weight-loss medications are not approved for use in children under the age of 16, although studies in children and teens are ongoing. Will insurance cover the cost of weight-loss medication? Many insurance companies currently will not pay for weight-loss prescriptions, but this is changing as insurers begin to recognize obesity as a chronic disease. Contact your insurance company to find out if prescription weight-loss medication is covered under your plan. The cost of one month of a prescription can cost about 60 dollars a month to more than twice this amount. Ask a staff member at your pharmacy the cost of a 1-month supply of the medication you are considering taking.
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