From Nicholas on April 5, 2024 from Preston’s Pharmacy
Exciting news with weight loss medications! The FDA recently approved a new weight loss medication that also shows promise in reducing the risk of heart disease. This is a significant development for those struggling with weight management and heart health concerns. However, with any new medication, there can be challenges in accessibility and potential high demand. Compounding pharmacies such as Preston’s Compounding Pharmacy have you covered!
What is medical weight loss?
Millions of people try to do everything possible to lose weight on their own, but fail. Some individuals may lose the weight, to just gain it right back. After trying the gym, diet, and changing your lifestyle, many people look to medical weight loss. Coinciding with the gym, diet, and lifestyle changes, an individualized program, including medication, is created by a trained medical professional. Exams and testing is also used to identify any medical conditions or hormone imbalances that may be hindering weight loss. The goal of medical weight loss is to provide the treatment and guidance necessary to help you achieve safe weight loss and maintain it for life.
What does a medical weight loss program consist of?
Medical weight loss programs were created because obesity is a condition that one of the leading causes of heart disease in the nation. Medical weight loss usually refers to the proactive management of diet, fitness, and healthy behaviors conducted by a physician. These programs often include comprehensive metabolic testing to monitor physiological shifts during the course of a program. They also help those having trouble controlling their cravings and eating habits.
While there are dozens of medical weight loss programs to choose from, it’s important to evaluate and ultimately select a program that delivers a profound opportunity to encourage and maintain healthy lifestyle change.What are the benefits of medical weight loss?
When participating in a medical weight loss program, many of the challenges initially faced, like diet and lifestyle choices, are addressed. These challenges may include hormone imbalances, your resting heart rate, and caloric limit. Working with a medical weight loss professional allows you to find the tools that best work for you. For example, if your weight loss begins to plateau, the weight loss professional will have personalized health and program adjustments.
Some advantages of include:
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- Individuals in a medical weight loss program can lose 3%-5% more weight than individuals on their own weight loss program.
- Weight loss medication leads to greater weight loss and more successful maintenance, when paired with lifestyle changes.
- Medical weight loss can also improve other medical issues, such a sleep apnea, and decrease medical markers that indicate the beginnings of chronic illnesses.
- When losing weight under the supervision of a physician, you have more access to treatments and referrals that result in better, more effective treatments.
Common medications:
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- Semaglutide, (Wegovy and Ozempic)
- Liraglutide (Saxenda)
- Phentermine
- Vyvanse
- Contrave
- Xenical
- Topiramate
- Metformin
- Plenity
Exploring Alternatives: Compounded Semaglutide and Tirzepatide
The newly approved drug likely won’t be readily available immediately, and navigating insurance coverage might take time. But the good news is, there are already effective options available. Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide offer similar benefits to the new drug, promoting weight loss and potentially improving heart health.
The Power of Compounding Pharmacies
Preston’s Pharmacy can play a crucial role in making these medications accessible. We provide compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide formulations tailored to your specific needs. This might be especially helpful if the new drug faces initial access limitations. During drug shortages, compounding pharmacies can step in to produce needed medications, helping to prevent disruptions in patient care.
Find your nearest SI Medical Weight Loss Clinic and schedule an appointment to see if a medical weight loss program is right for you.