How Effective is Obesity Drug Treatment?
Several weight-loss medications are available
to treat obesity. In general, when combined with a calorie-controlled
diet, these medications are modestly effective, leading to an average
weight loss of 5 to 22 pounds above that expected with non-drug obesity
treatments. People respond differently to weight-loss medications, and
some people experience more weight loss than others.
Maximum weight loss usually occurs within
6 months of starting medication treatment. Weight then tends to level
off or increase during the remainder of treatment.
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Studies suggest that if a patient
does not lose at least 4 pounds over 4 weeks on a particular medication,
then that medication is unlikely to help the patient achieve significant
weight loss.
Note: Most prescription weight loss
drugs are FDA approved for short-term use only. Few studies have
looked at how safe or effective these medications are when taken
for more than 1 year.
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