What medications cause weight loss

Want to lose weight? A healthy diet and enough exercise can help a lot to lose weight. Nowadays, weight loss is the most common problem faced by every individual. Losing weight is not an easy task, it requires dedication, patience, and determination. Being overweight can also cause more diseases like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and much more. Medications are the fastest and easiest way to lose weight in less time. Small changes in your exercise and eating habits can help but it requires too much effort. But should be careful while taking weight loss medications and take them after consulting with your doctor. Here are some common medications for weight loss.

1. Phentermine

Uses:

Phentermine is used to lessen appetite, which helps in lose weight by making you less hungry. Phentermine is combined with topiramate for weight loss, which is approved for long-term use, as an appetite suppressant. This medication is prescribed by a doctor if you have a body mass index of 30 or greater. 

Side Effects:

The common side effects of phentermine are 

• Sleeplessness
• Constipation
• Nervousness
• Faster heart rate
• trouble breathing
• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Shortness of Breath
• Heart palpitations
• Insomnia
• Swelling of the legs and ankles.

Dosage:

Take a single dose in the morning or three times a day 30 minutes before a meal. Don’t take a larger dose of phentermine, Take this medicine as prescribed by your doctor. 

 

• Adipex-P and Generic (37.5 mg tablets): The 37.5mg dose by mouth before breakfast or 1 hour after breakfast. Based on your situation, it can be adjusted to 18.75mg once or twice daily. 
• Lomaira (8 mg tablets): The 8mg dose by mouth 3 times a day, 30 minutes before meals.
• Generic (15mg and 30mg capsules): Take 15mg to 30mg dose once daily, after breakfast. 

2. Bupropion / Naltrexone

Uses:

Bupropion and Naltrexone are a combination, which helps in lose weight. This medication is used for calorie diet and exercise. Naltrexone is a class of medications, opiate antagonists. Bupropion is a class of medications and antidepressants. Both work together in two parts of the brain to reduce appetite and control cravings in the hunger center and reward system.

Side Effects:

Common side effects :

 Nausea

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Constipation

 Headache

Dizziness

Tiredness

Excessive Sweating

Dry mouth

Taste changes

Ringing in ears. 

Serious side effects : 

Stomach pain

Dark urine

Shortness of breath

Chest pain

Hives

Itching

Swollen glands

Rashes

Joints pain. 

Dosage :

Extended-release tablets: 

Adults-

Week 1: One tablet in the morning

Week 2: One tablet in the morning or one tablet in the evening

Week 3: Two tablets in the morning or one tablet in the evening

Week 4: Two tablets in the morning and evening. 

Children- Not recommended

3.Liraglutide

Uses:

Liraglutide is an anti-diabetic medication, that treats diabetes, and also weight loss in patients. It’s an injection with a solution in a dosing pen to inject into your stomach, upper arm, or thigh. It is injected once a day with or without food. Liraglutide injection decreases appetite by emptying the stomach which causes weight loss.

Side Effects:

Common side effects : 

Headache

Constipation

Heartburn

tiredness 

Pain or burning in urination

Runny nose

Sneezing, or cough

Rash or redness.

Serious side effects : 

Nausea

Diarrhea

Vomiting

Heart pounding 

Dizziness

Difficulty in breathing or swallowing

Changes in mood and behavior

Depression

 

Dosage:

Adults-

The dose of 0.6 mg was injected under the skin once a day for one week. Doctor increase your dose to 3mg in week.

Children- Not recommended

4.Semaglutide

Uses

Semaglutide is used for weight loss and it also controls blood sugar levels. It also reduces the risk of cardiovascular such as heart attack or stroke in patients. It is not used to treat people who have diabetes and need insulin. Semaglutide injection is called incretin mimetics in a class of medications. It helps the pancreas to release the insulin when blood sugar level is high. Semaglutide reduces appetite which causes weight loss.

Side Effects

Common side effects :

Nausea

Diarrhea

Abdominal pain

Vomiting

Constipation

Heartburn

burning

Serious side effects  : 

Vision changes

Fast heartbeat

Dizziness

Difficulty in urination

Itching

Mood changes,

Weakness

Difficulty in breathing

Swelling in eyes, legs, face, throat, or mouth.

Dosage

Initial Dose in adults-

Week 1-4: 0.25mg once a week

Week 5-8: 0.5mg once a week

Week 9-12: 1mg once a week

Week 13-16: 1.7mg once a week

Week 17 and further: 2.4mg once a week 

 

5.Setmelanotide

Uses

Setmelanotide is an injection that helps in weight loss. Setmelanotide is injected once a day with or without food. Setmelanotide is known as a melanocortin 4 (MC4) receptor agonist in a class of medications. It reduces appetite and calorie intake and increases energy.

Side Effects

Common side effects : 

Headache

Nausea

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Constipation

Stomach pain

Muscle pain

Tiredness

Dizziness

Dry mouth and skin, 

Cough and fever

Serious side effects : 

Unexpected erection

Increases sexual desire in women.

Dosage

Initial Dose – 2 mg dose once a day for 2 weeks. 

Maintenance Dose-  1-3 mg per day

Maximum Dose-   3 mg per day.

6. Appetite Suppressants:

Uses

Appetite Suppressants are a weight loss medication, it is a diet pills for weight loss. Appetite Suppressants make you feel less hungry and make you feel full after eating fewer meals, so you can consume fewer calories and easily lose weight. 

Side Effects

Common side effects:

Constipation

Diarrhea

Abdominal pain

Nausea

Indigestion

Headache.

Serious:

Irregular heartbeat, 

Insomnia, 

Dizziness, 

Depression, 

Abdominal pain, 

Dry mouth, 

Vomiting,

Agitation. 

Dosage

Initial Dose- 25-50mg once daily

Maintenance-  25-50mg (1 to 3 times a day)

Maximum- 150mg per day

Conclusion 

In conclusion, we found that above mentioned all the medications help in weight loss rapidly. Weight loss medications such as Liraglutide, Orlistat, Phentermine, Naltrexone and bupropion, Contrave, Setmelanotide, Diethylpropion, Semaglutide, Phendimetrazine. Some are injections and some are pills. Consult with your doctor before taking this medication, and talk to your doctor if you have any medical issues.