How effective are weight loss pills?

Overweight and obese people are at high risk of many bone and joint diseases, dyslipidemia, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, bone and joint disease… Weight loss is the main treatment method for overweight people. weight, obesity and limit the risk of complications.

BS.CKII Vo Hoang Minh Hien, Endocrinology – Diabetes Unit, Tam Anh General Clinic, District 7, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said weight loss drugs (obesity treatment drugs) are prescribed. prescription has the effect of reducing body weight. Over the past few years, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a number of obesity treatment drugs. These drugs should only be used when prescribed by a doctor. Patients should not buy and use them on their own. Do not lose weight with diuretics, thyroid hormones and lipid-lowering drugs.

Dr. Hien explained that the drug works to inhibit appetite by affecting neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine, increasing the concentration of these hormones in the blood, causing loss of appetite. The effects of the drug are also to increase insulin secretion, reduce glucagon secretion, increase the feeling of fullness, and slow down the gastric emptying process. Then less glucose is created from food into the blood, so blood sugar levels are controlled, thereby losing weight. Obesity treatment drugs also inhibit lipase enzymes, reducing fat absorption in the digestive system and being excreted in the stool.

If overweight or obese people have adjusted their diet and exercise ineffectively, the doctor may prescribe weight loss medication. Health care professionals use BMI (body mass index) as a standard to decide whether a patient needs to use weight loss medication or not. Especially in cases where overweight or obese people have disease-related problems such as hypertension, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease… Obese children from 12 years of age and older can Use specialized weight loss medications under your doctor’s guidance.

To choose the right medication, the doctor evaluates the weight loss benefits, side effects of the medication, and the patient’s current problems. Weight loss rate can reach 0.5-1 kg per week. Obesity is a chronic disease, so the duration of drug use may be prolonged, depending on factors such as effectiveness and side effects. If the patient loses enough weight to improve their health and does not experience serious side effects, they can take the medication according to their doctor’s instructions until they reach their ideal weight. Once successful in losing weight, patients need to maintain healthy living habits to avoid gaining weight again.

If after three months of using medication combined with nutrition and exercise, the patient does not lose 5% of their weight, the doctor may prescribe another method such as surgery.