top of page
Search

Weight Loss Drugs

  • Writer: Jasmine Cortazzi
    Jasmine Cortazzi
  • Jan 22
  • 5 min read

Weight loss drugs are effective in suppressing the appetite[1]. In 2023, Oprah Winfrey started taking a weight loss drug, alongside working to enhance her nutrition and exercise regime[2]. Not only did the drug help her to shed a substantial amount of weight - 40 kg - but it also helped to quell her intrusive thoughts, as well as cravings around food and alcohol[3]. When Oprah ceased the weight loss medication, she gained 9kgs.[4]


Does taking a weight loss drug address the root cause of obesity or overeating?

Obesity is a chronic condition caused by one or multiple factors, such as:

  • genetics,

  • environmental factors - such as poverty and deprivation,

  • psychological issues (for example, trauma or stress, and using comfort eating as a coping strategy),

  • poor sleep,

  • diet issues (for example, eating processed food),

  • side effects of drugs (such as anti-depressants or anti psychotics),

  • and a lack of exercise[1].


A person measures their waist with a yellow tape in oversized jeans, wearing a white top. The background is blurred, conveying a sense of achievement.

Given the complex root causes for obesity, whilst medication might help people short term, will drugs address issues such changing our habits around food, our lifestyle choices and our trauma - especially generational trauma? In such cases, therapy, as well as nutrition, lifestyle choices and exercise would be needed to address the root cause and the symptoms combined.

 

Are weight loss drugs safe long term?

Approximately 15.5 million adult Americans have taken weight loss drugs.[2] On average, a patient can lose 15% of their body weight within a year of taking these drugs.[3] Interestingly though, at least 50% of users, if not more, will stop taking these drugs after a year[4]. The reason for stopping may be for: financial reasons, (costs can vary but be between £50-100 per month); or patients may experience adverse side effects. The most common health risks are digestive issues[5] and decreased bone density and muscle loss[6]. Believe it or not, 1 in 6 hospital admissions are due to a side effect of weight loss drugs[7].

 

Risks to health

Why do weight loss drugs cause issues with digestion? The loss of weight quickly and slower gall bladder emptying happen because weight loss drugs suppress a key hormone which helps digestion in the gut. As a result, people’s bile composition is altered which can cause cholesterol to crystalise forming gallstones[8]. Gallstones can be painful - resulting in sharp abdominal pain, feeling nausea or having a fever. Furthermore, gallstones can cause pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). The pancreas helps regulate blood sugar and facilitates the digestion of food[9].


Rapid weight loss can also mean loss of muscle and bone density. Some people have lost up to 20% of their body weight due to taking these drugs[10]. Whilst this may sound positive, in truth a third of this 20% weight loss can consist of muscle and bone loss[11]. Muscles help us to regulate our blood sugar. Having less muscle mass means we could be susceptible to less blood sugar control and higher blood sugar, which is linked to Type 2 diabetes and can cause blindness, poor circulation, nerve damage, heart attacks and strokes[12]. Having compromised bone density means we could be susceptible to fractures and breaking bones[13]. Therefore, when taking weight loss drugs doctors advise regular weight bearing exercise and ensuring you are eating quality protein[14].


Research shows that people who stop taking weight loss drugs are likely to regain the weight 1.4 years after ceasing to take these drugs, compared to those who followed just a diet, exercise and behaviour change programmes[15]. Strikingly, research claims that patients who stop taking weight loss drugs are four times more likely to regain the weight and do so more rapidly than dieters[16]. Thus, those who take these weight loss drugs are advised to have regular check ups with a doctor, eat nutritious food, and exercise- with weights. Therefore, lifestyle choices and changing habits are essential when it comes to sustained weight loss[17].


Moreover, these are issues with patient buying these drugs on the internet rather than from reliable sources which quality control the product. Drugs bought from unreliable sources could be contaminated, the doses could be incorrect, and they could be mixed in with other drugs which could cause harm[18].


Worryingly, there are some consumers of weight loss drugs who may have eating disorders, such as bulimia, anorexia, or body dysmorphia[19]. Taking these drugs could increase vulnerability, leading to more anxiety, depression and to possible other long term health conditions. Some people with eating disorders can enjoy receiving compliments about their weight loss, and could become addicted to seeing weight reduction, losing sight of their wider health and wellbeing.


Scale with yellow tape measure, green bell pepper, apples, citrus, water bottles, and dumbbells on a light surface. Fitness concept.

Even without disordered eating, because these drugs supress the appetite, it is easy to forget to eat or to snack on unhealthy food. Supermarkets are recognising there is a market to address those on weight loss medication specifically, creating ‘nutrient dense’ special food packages to help. Shoppers get less food, in smaller packages, but pay more money for it[20].


Given all these risks, ensuring that patients are carefully monitored by a doctor is vital.

 

Criteria

To be eligible for weight loss drugs on the NHS, a patient needs to have a BMI (body mass index- using height and weight to estimate body fat) of 40 and 4 health conditions related to obesity, such as:

  • high blood pressure,

  • sleep apnoea,

  • cardiovascular disease,

  • type 2 diabetes, and

  • abnormal fat levels in the blood[21].

     

Some NHS schemes offer weight loss drugs alongside lifestyle support programmes, working to enhance patients’ sleep, levels of exercise, wellbeing and offering regular check-ups and monitoring.[22]

 

Benefits

Weight loss drugs help people to are lose weight and suppress their cravings for food. For many people, losing weight means they reduce their heart and cardiovascular risks and have lower blood sugar. This can lead to increased self-confidence and less anxiety, or depression. Weight loss drugs could be effective in treating addictions to alcohol, opioids and nicotine.[23]

 

Last thoughts

Taking weight loss medication is a personal decision, but it would be wise to consult a doctor and have medication safely prescribed with regular checkups, and used alongside healthy nutrition, exercise and therapy. Therapy can help clients understand the reasons for obesity and food addiction which are often complex and multi-faceted.

 

 

Bibliography

  

[3] Ibid.

[11] Ibid.

[14] ibid.

[15] ibid.

[16] Ibid.

[17] ibid.

[18] ibid.

[21] ibid.







 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page