Modest results
No matter how much people dream of a pill that will allow them to lose weight without dieting or exercising - as countless scam artists and advertisers claim - none of these drugs work in this way. Studies have shown that these drugs only really work when combined with lifestyle changes.
The amount of weight people lose by taking weight loss medications varies: Some people make great strides and some people do not. On average, people lose no more than 10% of their original weight - that's a loss of 20 pounds of weight for a 200-pound person. Generally, people lose the most weight in the first three to six months of taking the medication, and then there is a plateau.
A 10% weight loss may not seem like much. But experts emphasize that a modest weight loss - even 5% - can have a significant impact on disease risk. Many studies have shown the effectiveness of weight loss drugs in reducing health risks. For example, a recently published study of the drug Xenical found that it reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 37%.
How long do you need to use them?
Studies have shown that if a person taking one of these drugs does not lose 4 pounds in the first four weeks, it can be discontinued; it is unlikely that the drug will work. If someone does have success with the drug, it should probably be taken for a long time. Weight loss drugs are not a quick fix. On the contrary, they are more like medications for high blood pressure or diabetes, Wyatt says. Obesity really is a chronic disease.
"The physiology that causes obesity doesn't go anywhere," Wyatt says.
Stopping medication usually means that the weight will come back. And losing weight is not as important as keeping it off. If you've lost 20 pounds but gained it back within a year, it doesn't help much.
Long-term treatment does not mean that people will take the same weight-loss medication every day for the rest of their lives. On the contrary, it is possible that someone will switch from one Xenical, Meridia, or other medication to another.
In addition, people can take breaks from treatment. "Weight is not the same as blood pressure," Wyatt says. "If you stop taking your blood pressure medication, it goes up within a few days. It takes longer to regain weight." So far, studies haven't shown any benefits of intermittent use of weight-loss medications. But as researchers learn more about how best to use these drugs, it could become a possible form of treatment in the future, Wyatt says.
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