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GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) are hormones naturally made by your body. They help regulate blood sugar, appetite, and digestion. They have been safely used to treat patients with type 2 diabetes for several decades.  During the many years of use, researchers found that these medications aid in weight loss, increase fertility and help prevent other chronic health conditions. 

Common Brand names:

Semaglutide-Ozempic, Wegovy

Tirzepatide- Mounjaro, Zepbound

How do the medications work?

GLP-1 and GIP medications are designed to mimic or enhance our body’s natural hormones. They can be given as an injection or in oral form. They work by:

1. Reducing appetite: You feel fuller longer, which helps you eat less.

2. Improving blood sugar levels: They help your body use insulin more effectively and lower blood sugar after meals.

3. Promoting weight loss:  By helping control hunger and reducing calorie intake.

Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take weight loss medications. You should not use GLP-1 or GIP medications if you have type 1 diabetes, pancreatitis or a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN2.

Stimulant medications are sometimes prescribed to help with weight loss, particularly for individuals who struggle with appetite control or need additional support to achieve their weight management goals. These medications primarily work by affecting the central nervous system (CNS) to reduce appetite and increase energy levels. 

How Stimulant Medications Work:

• Suppress appetite: They act on specific areas of the brain, such as the hypothalamus, to reduce hunger signals.

• Increase energy levels: By stimulating the CNS, these medications can make you feel more energetic, which may help with physical activity.

• Boost metabolism (slightly): Some stimulants may have a small impact on increasing calorie burn.

Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take weight loss medications. Patients with High blood pressure, Kidney disease, cardiac conditions, hyperthyroidism or Glaucoma should not take these medications. It may not be right for you if you have severe anxiety or insomnia.

Contrave and other oral appetite suppressants are medications designed to help with weight loss by targeting appetite and cravings. They are typically used alongside a healthy diet, exercise, and behavioral changes to support sustainable weight management. Here's how they work and what to expect:

How Contrave Works:

Contrave is a combination of two medications:

1. Bupropion: A medication used to treat depression and smoking cessation. It influences brain chemicals (dopamine and norepinephrine) to reduce appetite and food cravings.

2. Naltrexone: Commonly used to treat alcohol or opioid dependence. It blocks opioid receptors and is thought to help control cravings and overeating behaviors.

Together, these components target areas of the brain involved in hunger and reward, making it easier to eat less and resist emotional eating triggers.

Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take weight loss medications. Patients with High blood pressure or Seizure disorders should not take this medication. This may not be right for you if you are taking other antidepressants or have had adverse reactions to one or both of the medications in Contrave.

Lipase inhibitors, such as Orlistat and Alli, are a type of medication used for weight management. They work by targeting how your body absorbs fat from the food you eat. Here’s an easy-to-understand explanation of how they function

How Lipase Inhibitors Work:

1. Target Dietary Fat:

   • When you eat, the fats in your food must be broken down by enzymes called lipases in your digestive system. These enzymes break fats into smaller molecules so your body can absorb them.

   • Lipase inhibitors block the action of these enzymes, preventing the breakdown of fat.

2. Prevent Fat Absorption:

   • Since the fats remain undigested, your body cannot absorb them. Instead, they pass through the digestive system and are eliminated in stool.

3. Calorie Reduction:

   • By reducing fat absorption, lipase inhibitors help lower the number of calories your body gets from food, aiding in weight loss over time.

Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take weight loss medications. Patients with Gallbladder or malabsorption conditions should not take this medication. This medication may affect other prescription medications. Make sure to give your provider a list of all medications you are taking.