December 18, 2023
Myths and misconceptions about weight and weight loss medications are pervasive in the media, popular culture, and older scientific literature. These unsupported beliefs can be downright dangerous, so we enlisted the support of the Hello Alpha expert clinical team, including Dr. Mary Jacobson, Chief Medical Officer and an expert in obesity medicine, to address some of the most widespread myths.
Myth: Prescription weight loss medications are “the easy way out.”
Reality: This can be one of the most devastating myths, as it reduces excess weight and obesity as matters of personal failure instead of accurately categorizing them as a complex medical condition. The notion that prescription weight loss medication is a shortcut plays into fat shaming–the harmful practice of criticizing and harassing someone based on their weight. Fat shaming tends to backfire: it leads to feelings of shame that can make it harder for someone to prioritize their health. Most critically, however, it dehumanizes people and displays the deep prejudice our society has for people that don’t meet an arbitrary and stereotypical beauty standard.
Prescription medications are intended to be used alongside lifestyle and behavioral changes, such as diet and exercise. People see the most success through a combination of medication and comprehensive care. They are absolutely not an “easy way out.”
Myth: Prescription weight loss medications aren’t safe.
Reality: GLP-1s may be relatively new to the media and in popularity, but they’ve undergone extensive testing and studies by the FDA. GLP-1, or glucagon-like peptide 1, has been studied since 1987, initially as treatment for type 2 diabetes. Recent media coverage has raised the issue of side effects, “Ozempic face,” and mental health symptoms experienced by people on these medications. It’s important to contextualize sensational headlines and address concerns with a licensed healthcare provider.
Like any medications, prescription weight loss drugs can have side effects and, in fact, the most significant drawbacks of prescription weight loss medications are the potential side effects. Often, side effects are short-term and improve as your body adjusts to the medication. Not everyone will experience side effects. It’s important to check with your provider for guidance on how to manage any side effects you may experience.
The most common side effects are gastrointestinal such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, bloating, gassiness, constipation and diarrhea. Other potential side effects include insomnia, anxiety, irritability, suicidal ideation, dry mouth, headaches and hypertension.
The safety and efficacy of these medications depend on factors such as individual health, medical history, and adherence to prescribed guidelines. It’s vital for people considering weight loss medication to discuss potential side effects with their healthcare provider.
It’s important to make sure any medication is authentic and from the appropriate manufacturer. At Hello Alpha, we work with a licensed third-party pharmacy for mail order prescriptions and encourage patients to use state-licensed pharmacies if they choose their own.
Myth: Having to take weight loss medication long-term is a bad thing.
Reality: Weight loss medications can be effective in helping individuals lose weight, but maintaining weight loss requires ongoing lifestyle changes. It’s very possible to regain weight after stopping medications, particularly if unhealthy habits resurface, but even with maintained healthy habits, weight gain remains a possibility. The goal is to adopt sustainable lifestyle changes for long-term success.
Sustainable weight loss requires a holistic approach and should leverage the four pillars of obesity medicine: nutrition, physical activity, behavioral modification, and pharmacotherapy. Prescription medicine is just one piece of an overall strategy.
If a patient does need to go off the drugs or restart the same or a different type of weight loss medication, a healthcare provider who’s familiar with the nuances of weight loss management in general can help manage this process. People with diabetes have other medicines that they can take to help control blood sugar levels and a skilled healthcare provider, possibly in partnership with a registered dietitian, can help with lifestyle changes to maintain weight loss without the support of these medications.
Myth: Prescription weight loss medications are suitable for everyone.
Reality: These medications are not appropriate for everyone. In fact, the following people should explicitly avoid prescription weight loss meds:
Myth: You can take higher doses of weight loss medications for faster results.
Reality: The speed and amount of weight loss for an individual is highly dependent on a lot of different things: the type of medication, the dose, dietary choices, physical activity levels, sleep amount and quality, stress levels, other co-occurring medical conditions, and more.
That said, the dosage levels of weight loss prescriptions can have an impact on total weight loss. With Qsymia, for example, a weight loss drug that combines phentermine and topiramate, study results have shown average weight loss ranging from about 5% at lower doses to around 10% at higher doses. With injectable weight loss meds like semaglutide, marketed under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, and tirzepatide, marketed under the brand names Mounjaro and Zepbound, are generally started at lower doses and then slowly increased to minimize side effects; higher doses tend to result in more weight loss.
It’s important to note that increasing the dosage beyond the prescribed amount can be dangerous. It’s crucial to follow the healthcare provider’s instructions and not self-prescribe or adjust the dosage without professional guidance.
Myth: Prescription weight loss medications are only for people with extreme obesity.
Reality: It’s simple: clinical guidelines state that medications for weight loss are appropriate for patients with excess body fat. People with chronic illnesses like diabetes or high blood pressure can also benefit from additional support from weight loss medication.
It’s important to note that obesity or excess body fat is a chronic condition, not a lifestyle choice or a weakness of willpower. According to the Obesity Medicine Association, obesity is defined as “a chronic, relapsing, multi-factorial, neurobehavioral disease, wherein an increase in body fat promotes adipose tissue dysfunction and abnormal fat mass physical forces, resulting in adverse metabolic, biomechanical, and psychosocial health consequences.” In simpler terms, obesity is a medical condition that affects different aspects of our health and wellbeing.
One way that healthcare providers screen for overweight and obesity is with Body Mass Index, or BMI. BMI is calculated by taking a person’s weight and dividing it by the square of their height. A high BMI can indicate a high level of body fat, but it doesn’t necessarily reflect body fat percentage.
Your provider may prescribe a medication to treat your overweight or obesity if you are an adult with:
While it’s a common metric in many healthcare settings, BMI is not the only measurement for diagnosing overweight or obesity. A trained provider will take into account your individual health history, race, ethnicity, and other factors to evaluate your health condition.
In general, the decision to prescribe and use weight loss medications should be a personal decision made in partnership with a trusted healthcare provider and based on an individual’s overall health and risk factors.
Myth: All weight loss medications work the same way.
Reality: Different weight loss medications have distinct mechanisms of action. Some may suppress appetite, while others interfere with nutrient absorption or increase metabolism. Every body is different, so your provider may prescribe medication depending on your desired results, side effects, and health condition. Here are the most commonly prescribed:
It’s important for individuals considering prescription weight loss medications to have open and honest discussions with their healthcare providers, who can provide personalized advice based on their health status and goals.
About Hello Alpha
Hello Alpha is a virtual primary care platform that specializes in inclusive, expert care for all by bridging the gaps in women’s health. With a personalized approach catering to an individual’s unique health goals, Hello Alpha can treat more than 100 conditions ranging from allergies to eczema and diabetes to menopause. Additionally, Alpha providers will proactively help identify and manage deprioritized conditions while connecting patients to labs, specialists, and other essential resources. The aim is to ensure that patients feel as healthy and vibrant as possible.
Hello Alpha’s approaches weight management through the lens of primary care. The popularity of new weight loss medications have shined a spotlight on the weight loss industry as a whole and the complicated science of weight management. There is a promising shift away from characterizing excess weight as personal failings to chronic medical conditions. Attributing health issues solely to excess weight is an incomplete picture — health is more than just a number on a scale. Visit https://www.helloalpha.com/weight-loss to learn more.
For more information about weight loss medications, please check out our other blog posts:
PLEASE NOTE: THIS BLOG DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE.
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational/educational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. A patient-client relationship will only be formed after you enter into a written agreement with an Alpha provider. Always consult a professional in the area for your particular needs before undertaking any new healthcare regimen.
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