Do you often feel like your struggle with excess body weight will never come to an end? Depending on your age, gender, genetics, and lifestyle, you may be fighting factors you don’t even know about. When you are ready to make a major change toward better health, getting a prescription weight loss pill could be your best option. We put together some considerations to help you discover whether this weight loss approach is a good fit for you.

What is a ‘Weight Loss Pill’?

Also known as “diet pills,” weight loss pills are meant to help people lose excess pounds that may be having negative effects on their overall health. There is a range of options available, from herbal supplements to over-the-counter products, that you can find at the drugstore. The option most proven to be effective, though, is the weight loss pill that’s prescribed by a board-certified physician.

Advantages of Prescription Weight Loss Pills

Getting involved in a medically supervised weight loss program has a lot of benefits, and access to prescription weight loss medications is just one of them. Structured programs can help patients at risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. They can also improve their overall health through diet, exercise, and sometimes prescription medications. Here are some advantages to a doctor-ordered weight loss pill (results depend on drug prescribed):

• 5 to 10 percent weight loss over a 12-month period
• Suppression of appetite
• Limited absorption of dietary fat
• Increase in metabolism
• Potential improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and other measurements of health

Precautions for Their Use

A weight loss pill prescription should come from the medical professional who is monitoring your program, preferably a board-certified bariatrician. The medications don’t work for everyone and patients may have to try several drugs to find the one that gives the best results without significant side effects. These are some other precautions:

• Pregnant women should avoid weight loss pills.
• Certain Body Mass Index numbers may be required for the prescription.
• They must be used in conjunction with exercise and a healthy diet.

Get the Information You Need

A prescription for a weight loss pill might be a viable resource in your fight against excess weight. But the medication is not for all overweight people. Our wellness coordinator at Rochester Medical Weight Loss Center would love to meet with you for a complimentary consultation to determine your needs and health goals. Get in touch with us online or call 585-467-8838.