Medical weight loss solutions have been gaining significant attention in news, media outlets, and all-over social media recently thanks to their unprecedented results.
However, medicated weight loss treatments for obesity have been available for many years, and when paired with clinical support they have been proven to completely change the game for those who struggle to lose weight with diet and exercise alone.
Here at Bodyline Clinic, we have been treating people with obesity and weight health related complications for almost two decades, starting from clinics around the Northwest of England and then providing online clinical services for patients around the country.
As a result, we are well equipped to break down the safety and efficacy of medicated weight loss treatments, help readers understand the inner workings of medicated weight health and make informed decisions.
What are the types of medicated weight loss treatments?
Oral Treatments
Phentermine, also known as the ‘pink pill’ is a centrally acting appetite suppressant that works in the appetite centre of the brain to reduce calorie intake.
The medication is only prescribed by registered clinicians for the short-term treatment for obesity and is to be taken in three-month bursts in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise.
Phentermine can help users lose between 5-7% of their initial body weight across a 6 month period.
A similar medication is Diethylpropion. Phentermine is one of Bodyline’s most commonly prescribed appetite suppressant medications and is usually tolerated well with minimal side-effects. However, those who are not eligible for Phentermine can get similar results from another oral tablet called Diethylpropion.
Eligibility is impacted by contraindications and medical history, and safety can only be assured when these medications are prescribed to those who are eligible and guided along a fully supported weight loss programme.
Injections
Weight loss injections are prescription medications that can help those struggling with obesity with their weight loss journey.
They belong to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) as well as glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptides (GIP) which mimic the effects of hormones produced in the body.
These hormones are usually produced in everyone’s intestines upon finishing a meal, signalling to the brain that the meal is finished so it can produce that recognisable full feeling. Both GIP and GLP-1 also play a role in regulating blood sugar levels and appetite. And when mimicked with the help of weight loss injections, it allows people to consume less food, therefore less calories, and making weight loss much easier.
At Bodyline Clinic, we offer comprehensive medical weight loss programmes that incorporate GLP-1 or GLP-1 and GIP medications as part of a holistic approach to weight management and have seen incredible success in our 17 years of experience.
How safe are oral medications?
At Bodyline Clinic, our doctors and nurse prescribers are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and we have been providing Phentermine to thousands of our patients within our fully supported medical weight loss programmes.
However, Phentermine is only available with a prescription from a registered clinician who is aware of medical history.
Phentermine is not recommended for long-term use to prevent reliance on the medication.
That being said, both oral medications Phentermine and Diethylpropion have been seen to produce incredible weight loss results in a short period of time when used with clinical support. Short term weight loss can only be maintained when a person’s habits have changed for the better.
Habit formation is the key to sustainable weight loss – and this is the case for all medical weight loss interventions, even the newest ones.
How safe are GLP-1s?
GLP-1 receptor agonists have been extensively studied for their safety and their side effects are well known.
Most commonly, side effects can include gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, and heartburn. These side effects are typically mild and tend to subside over time as the injectable medications are titrated.
Rare side effects, such as hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), pancreatitis, and thyroid cancer, have been reported but are uncommon.
This is why it is vital that medical weight loss injections should be used under proper medical supervision within a fully supported medical weight loss programme to ensure their safety and effectiveness.
Semaglutide, a GLP-1 injection, has been approved for obesity treatments, diabetes, and cardiovascular health. Under the brand name Ozempic, manufacturer Novo Nordisk originally marketed semaglutide as a diabetes treatment, but due to the significant weight loss effects demonstrated in clinical trials they remarketed version called WeGovy to treat obesity. Users see an average 15% body weight reduction in studies over a 68-week period when used alongside diet and exercise.
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is a newer injectable medication that is made up of GLP-1s and GIP, showing groundbreaking results in promoting weight loss and controlling blood sugar levels. Clinical trials saw that over 85% of users saw a loss of between 5-20% of their body weight, far surpassing the effectiveness of other GLP-1 injectable medications available.
Liraglutide (Saxenda) is also an injectable medication approved for the treatment of obesity but is self-administered once a day, rather than once a week like Mounjaro and WeGovy. Bodyline has been prescribing Saxenda as part of our medical weight loss treatment plans for almost 10 years, helping clients lose 5-10% of their body weight on average safely and effectively.
Safety in Support
Programmes like Bodyline’s keep track of side effects, monitor efficacy, and can alter prescriptions and dosages as needed.
Cath Frankland is one of Bodyline’s most experienced nurse prescribers and practitioners and has helped thousands of people achieve their weight loss goals and change their lives for the better.
“Regulated support is really important because when people buy medications from sources that aren’t proven to be safe, secure, and trusted – probably on the internet -they don’t know what they are, or they’re made of. It’s vital when prescribing to remember that our goal is to help our clients, give them the correct advice and support them through the weight health journey.
“We’ve seen that without nurse support alongside these injectables, there’s a temptation for people to begin at too high a dose. The guidance to help prevent severe side effects is to begin at a low dose titrate up, gradually. Going in at a higher dose can result in users ending up ill or with intolerable side effects, which means they just stop taking them and don’t get the result the want, or what they paid for.”
For Bodyline, we aren’t motivated by churning out as many medications and prescriptions as possible – we work incredibly hard to change our patients’ lives and habits.
We offer holistic care and guidance to individuals seeking to achieve their goals through medicated weight loss, meaning we look at the whole person when providing care. Bodyline’s experienced healthcare professionals assess everyone’s unique needs and evaluate their eligibility for weight loss medications.
Contact Bodyline today to find out more about our safe and effective weight loss programmes and range of treatment options.
GLP-1s have emerged as promising medications for weight health. Their ability to promote weight loss, improve metabolic parameters, and regulate blood sugar levels makes them valuable tools in comprehensive weight loss programs. While GLP-1s may have potential side effects, their safety and efficacy have been well-established through clinical trials.
We must stress how important it is to use GLP-1s under proper medical supervision to ensure their safe and effective use. Remember, weight health is a complex journey, and it is essential to approach it holistically. Alongside the use of GLP-1s, incorporating healthy eating habits, regular physical activity, and lifestyle modifications are crucial for long-term success. With the guidance and support of medical weight loss programs like Bodyline, you can embark on a safe and effective weight loss journey that prioritizes your well-being. Contact Bodyline to find out more or call our specialist weight health customer services on 0800 995 6036.
