Weight Management
How Medication May Help With Weight Management
At some time or other, we’ve all heard the theory that all you need for weight management is willpower. Eat less, exercise more, and a healthy weight is possible. And yet, so many people struggle to reach their goals, some for years without success. That’s because the equation is not as simple as the willpower theory suggests. The reality is that appetite, satiety, fat burning, and fat storage involve very complex physiological processes that can be affected by a wide variety of factors.
That means there is no one solution to successful weight management. Not everyone’s challenges are the same. If you are having trouble maintaining a healthy weight, it may be because of a hormonal imbalance, appetite issues, a delay in feeling full, a slow metabolism, lack of sleep, an excess of stress and stress hormones, or a medical condition.
It’s important to discuss your overall health and lifestyle with your doctor when you’re trying to manage weight. There are therapies designed to improve many underlying conditions that may be holding you back from reaching your goals. For example, some medications may help you feel less hungry or full sooner. Others may make it harder for your body to absorb fat from the foods you eat.
This doesn’t mean that you won’t need healthy eating habits and a program of physical activity. Studies show that weight-management medications work best when combined with a lifestyle program. Your doctor can recommend a lifestyle weight management program suited to you.
Who Might Benefit From Medication for Weight Management?
Weight-management medications are meant to help people who may have health or lifestyle problems related to being overweight and have had trouble losing weight on their own with a healthy eating plan and regular physical activity.
Healthcare providers often use the Body Mass Index (BMI), a measure of your weight in relation to your height, to assess your risk of health problems. People who have a BMI between 25 and 30 are considered overweight. Obesity is defined as having a BMI of 30 or greater. You can estimate your own BMI. Being overweight or obese may increase the risk of health problems. Your healthcare provider can assess your individual risk due to your weight.
Weight Loss Considerations
Sometimes, weight loss struggles may have more to do with hormones than a healthy diet and exercise alone. Maintaining adequate testosterone levels with hormone replacement therapy may boost the metabolism rate and provide enhanced energy. An increase in daily activity could follow.
A healthy body needs rest, and poor sleep hygiene puts patients at high risk for weight gain. Improved sleep quality with interventions like melatonin or low dose naltrexone may promote a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
If you are experiencing rapid, unexplained weight gain, it may be the result of an undiagnosed medical issue, such as a thyroid condition. Connect with a healthcare provider to learn more.
Who Should Avoid Weight-Management Medications?
The potential for side effects varies by medication and how your own body responds. Most side effects are mild and may improve as you continue the treatment. However, let your doctor know if you have:
- Heart or coronary artery disease
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- An overactive thyroid
- Diabetes
- A history of drug abuse
- Glaucoma
- Plans to become pregnant or breastfeed
These conditions may affect the treatment your doctor selects.
Belmar’s Weight Management Solutions
The following medication solutions currently fall within our bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) formulary:
- Low Dose Naltrexone
- Naltrexone/Oxytocin/ Methylcobalamin
- Sermorelin
- Phentermine HCL
- Metformin
- Phendimetrazine
Common Dosage Forms of Weight Management Medications
At Belmar, our expert pharmacists dispense weight management medications in dosages to suit specific conditions and individual patients. Dosage forms include:
- Oral Tablets
- Sublingual Tablets
- Creams
- Injectables
Learn More About Weight management
If you’re dealing with or concerned about one of the conditions listed above, visit our Conditions page to find resources and guides to help you discuss compounding solutions with your doctor.
If you’re a clinician who’s interested in prescribing compound medications for your patients, visit our Treatment Options page to find a formulary and learn more about the solutions Belmar offers.
