As a weight management specialist, I commonly prescribe FDA-approved medications for patients when appropriate. To determine if medication is the right option for a patient, I tend to ask them a few important questions.
Important Questions to Ask before Beginning Prescription Weight Medications:
How is Your General Health?
a) Medications can have positive effects and potential side effects as well. Therefore, it is very important to be sure that the intended medication will not interact negatively with any medication you are currently using, and that there is low risk of worsening the state of any active medical condition.
b) Medications for weight-loss should be selected on a case-by-case basis and not prescribed at will. You should always ask about the risks of any potential medication — whether it be for weight-loss or another condition — and it is imperative to tell your doctor all over-the-counter supplements and medications you’re already taking.
Have you made attempts to lose weight through reduced calories and increased physical activity?
a) Diet and exercise are the basis of any plan to lose weight. However, our bodies are designed to limit weight-loss that occurs from caloric restriction and increased physical activity by producing more hunger hormones and slowing our metabolism. This eventually leads to a weight plateau — even when we continue the behavior that initially lead to weight-loss.
b) This frustrating plateau can also lead to weight regain, and it may be a clue as to when to consider a weight- loss medication ( if your health care provider determined you are a candidate).
What is your current weight and height?
a) The current criteria to qualify for weight-loss medications is based on body mass index (BMI) and the presence of weight-related medical conditions.
b) Patients with a BMI of 30 or greater, or 27 or greater with a significant weight-related medical problem such as diabetes or heart disease, are candidates for medication.
What are your goals with regards to weight-loss?
a) Weight-loss medications are best used in motivated patients who meet the above criteria and who may need to lose weight to relieve a medical condition. It is not recommended to use weight-loss medications for purely for aesthetic purposes.
Are you able to follow up in the medical setting once the medications are started?
a) Weight-loss medications have benefits but also potential risks. That’s why it is crucial for you to regularly see your doctor and evaluate your response to medication — including weight-loss, improvements in medical conditions and any side effects. This will also help you determine if you need to adjust your medication.
About the Author:
Dr. Holly F. Lofton is the Director of the medical weight management program at NYU Langone Medical Center and Assistant Professor of Medicine and Surgery at NYU School of Medicine. In her practice, she combines diet and exercise recommendations with behavioral support
and FDA-approved medications to help her patients achieve meaningful weight-loss. She is also a diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine, and is on the Board of Directors for the Obesity Action Coalition.
