67% of Australian adults are overweight or obese — and many, despite being on constant diets, still struggle to lose weight. If weight loss medications are something you have thought about – we go through what is available, and the pros and cons of each.
Anyone who has ever been on a diet (and nearly all of us have tried one), knows just how hard it is to lose weight. And let’s face it, if it were easy, everyone would have succeeded.
Luckily society is more progressive these days when it comes to our weight. In the past, being overweight or obese was just considered ‘lazy’. These days we are about body positivity. We know that our genetic makeup strongly determines our weight and that lifestyles don’t always allow for hours and hours of daily strenuous exercise.
Before we begin – this article is not telling you to go on weight loss medications. This is just a guide as to what is available for those seeking information.
Losing weight can be a challenge, and there are many different approaches that people can take to try to slim down. However, it’s important to remember that not all weight loss treatments are safe for everyone. Before starting any kind of diet or exercise program, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor to make sure that it’s the right choice for you. This is especially true if you have any existing health conditions or if you are taking any medication.
The last thing you want is to end up doing more harm than good. So, if you’re thinking about trying a new weight loss treatment, be sure to talk to your doctor first. They’ll be able to give you the best advice on whether or not it’s the right choice for you.
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Table of Contents:
1. Why Are So Many Aussie Adults Overweight?
Obesity is being blamed on the country’s bad eating habits, linked to the availability of fast food since the 1970s, sedentary lives, and a shrinking labour force. The prevalence of overweight and obesity amongst Australians aged 18 and over grew from 57% in 1995 to 67% in 2017–18 after accounting for various population age patterns over time.
Obesity is a serious public health concern in Australia. It is linked to declining health and well-being, lower academic achievement, higher healthcare expenses, and a high probability of depression.
Health practitioners may help children, adults, and their families avoid becoming overweight or obese by promoting good eating habits, physical exercise, and limiting idle time. These activities are most successful when combined with initiatives that seek to modify the circumstances that encourage obesity in the community.
2. How Do Most Weight Loss Medications Work?
Prescription medicines as well as over-the-counter weight loss medications for the treatment of obesity act in a variety of ways. So, for example, certain medicines can reduce your appetite or make you feel full sooner. Other medicines may interfere with your body’s ability to absorb fat from your diet.
Weight-loss medications are provided to help patients who have health issues connected to being overweight or obese. BMI is a metric used by specialists to determine whether you could benefit from weight-loss drugs. Your healthcare professional may prescribe to address your condition if you are an adult with
- a BMI of 30 or greater
- a BMI of 27 or greater, and you have weight-related health problems such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes
3. Who Might Benefit from Trying Weight Loss Medications?
Weight-loss medications aren’t for individuals looking to shed a few kilograms before a special night out or a beach trip. To be a good candidate for prescribed weight loss medications, you must have a severe weight problem, such as a BMI of more than 30, or a weight that finds it challenging to control other health concerns, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes.
On the other hand, weight-loss drugs aren’t suitable for everyone who has a high BMI. An eating and physical activity program can help obese or overweight people lose weight by altering their behaviors and changing their food and physical activity routines.
4. Which Weight Loss Medication Might Work for Me?
There are several weight loss medications on the market. Your weight management objectives, drug tolerance, and any conflicting medical problems you may have determined the appropriate prescription pill for you.
Appetite suppressants are the most popular weight reduction medicines. Others block fat absorption in the body, and what works for you may not work for others. Within six weeks to three months of beginning the treatment, everyone taking weight loss medication must be evaluated by their doctor to see if it is beneficial.
Recommended Reading: List of the Best Australian Vegan Weight Loss Shakes
5. How Long Do You Need to Take Weight Loss Medication?
Some prescription appetite suppressants have been authorized by the FDA in the United States for usage for no more than 12 weeks. With your healthcare provider’s agreement, you may be allowed to use some prescription drugs continuously if you lose weight and have no adverse effects.
6. Prescription Weight Loss Medications Available in Australia
Are you carrying around a few too many kilos? If so, you might be considering losing weight with the help of prescription medications. Here in Australia, there are several medications available to help you lose weight safely and effectively. We’ll take a look at some of these medications and what they can do for you. So if you’re ready to start shedding those extra pounds, keep reading!
7. 5 Best List of Weight Loss Medications Available in Australia
There is no one magic bullet for weight loss, but there are a few medications that can help you along the way. Here are the 5 best weight loss medications available in Australia.
Each medication has its own benefits and drawbacks, so be sure to talk to your doctor before deciding on which one is right for you. But if you’re looking for a little help shedding those extra pounds, any of these medications could be the perfect option for you. Happy losing!
1. Duromine (Prescription Only)
Phentermine is the generic name for Duromine. Duromine is a medication that is used to treat obesity for a brief period of time. Your doctor will prescribe the medicine in one of three strengths: 15mg, 30mg, or 40mg. The active component phentermine is mixed with a resin and delivered slowly into your circulation over a 24-hour period.
Duromine suppresses the appetite and is used to treat a wide range of conditions. Its main component, phentermine, is a stimulant similar to amphetamines. The stimulant affects the region of the brain that transmits the hunger signal. As a result, patients on Duromine eat less and have greater energy, burning more calories.
But there is a natural version of Duromine on the market in Australia called Zotrim which is worth checking out!
Recommended Reading: The Ultimate Guide to Duromine: The Weight Loss Pill
Saxenda (Injectable Weight Loss Medication)
Novo Nordisk produces this medication under the trade name Saxenda (liraglutide). It was once used to treat type 2 diabetes, but it is now used to help patients lose weight. Individuals using Saxenda should include a doctor-recommended eating and exercise plan into their daily schedule to reduce weight.
Saxenda (liraglutide) is typically started at 0.6 mg once a day, and injected into the belly, thigh, or upper arm. Your doctor may gradually raise your dose by 0.6 mg per week until you reach the effective amount of 3 mg daily.
It acts in the brain by boosting feelings of fullness and lowering appetite. This can lead to calorie reduction and weight loss.
Orlistat (Xenical)
Orlistat is a gastrointestinal lipase blocker that works by preventing the absorption of 25% of the fat in a meal. It is intended to help overweight individuals 18 years, and older lose weight when combined with a low-calorie, low-fat diet.
Orlistat is a medication used to help with weight reduction or minimize the chance of regaining weight that has already been lost. This medication should be taken in conjunction with a low-calorie diet and increased physical exercise.
It is important to note that only individuals who are overweight or obese should take orlistat.
Orlistat helps you lose weight by lowering the amount of fat deposited in your intestines. Lipase is a digestive enzyme that aids in the breakdown of dietary fat into individual components so that it may be consumed or stored for energy.
Xenical is available over the counter, however, Orlistat is the prescription-strength form of the drug.
Contrave (Prescription Only)
Contrave is an anorexiant used to assist obese or overweight people with weight-related medical issues to maintain their weight. This medication is taken in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Any weight-related medical problem such as high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol will not be treated with this product.
The dose is determined by your medical condition, treatment response, and any other drugs you’re taking. Your dosage will be gradually raised to reduce the risk of seizures and adverse effects, including insomnia, opiate withdrawal symptoms, and elevated blood pressure.
Please do not raise your dose, take it more frequently, or stop taking it without your doctor’s permission.
Zotrim (Over the Counter)
Zotrim is a natural and herbal health product that will aid you in losing weight and maintaining your desired body weight. The pill works by curbing your appetite and preventing overeating.
Zotrim is unusual because it does not lower weight on its own but rather helps people lose weight by making it easier for them to do so. You may quickly lose weight since it prevents you from eating too many calories.
The primary goal of the Zotrim diet pills recipe is to reduce the amount of food ingested. You’ll eat less without feeling deprived. Furthermore, you will be free of the desire to snack in between meals. It’s feasible since the product lasts a long time and improves the sense of fullness.
Best of all, you don’t need a prescription to purchase Zotrim.
Recommended Reading: Zotrim Review: Hot Weight Loss Product Now in Australia!
Noom
Weightloss drugs are great at helping you shed weight fast but aren’t a good long-term option so If you’re looking for a more permanent option for weight loss to help continue to maintain your weight then Noom is what you need. Noom can help you create your personal weight loss plan in 10 minutes, With the psychologically-based method of Noom you develop healthy eating habits along with healthy meal plans to help you lose weight effectively and maintain your weight in the long term – without the yo-yo effect. You can try Noom for as little as $1 with their 14 Day Trial.
Are There Clinical Trials Available for Weight Loss Medications?
Yes — there is a clinical trial available for weight loss medications.
Over the last few years, many medical studies on weight reduction have concentrated on metabolic syndrome, a group of disorders linked to weight gain. Clinical studies on weight loss are critical for understanding how this syndrome obstructs weight reduction in teenagers, adolescents, and adults and the impact of co-occurring disorders.
Clinical studies in food and nutrition are critical for determining how and why we consume affect our health. Understanding how food may be used to prevent and treat a variety of diseases has the potential to save countless lives.
To ensure that the study of weight loss medication is done ethically and safely, clinical trials must follow very rigorous procedures authorized by the FDA, internal review boards, and any other authorities appointed to do so.
More Reading:
- The Ultimate Guide to Duromine: The Weight Loss Pill
- The Lady Shake Review
- List of the Best Weight Loss Shake Options in Australia