Obesity is a severe condition, as it leads to many health issues. When a person reaches the stage where their Body Mass Index (BMI) reaches 30, they have entered the stage of obesity. This has become a global health challenge, increasing the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular ailments, and certain cancers. While lifestyle modifications-diet and exercise-remain the foundation of obesity treatment, Anti-Obesity Drugs (AODs) have emerged as supportive tools for individuals struggling to lose or maintain weight loss. However, their usage invites both enthusiasm and great caution.
However, all AODs are prescription drugs that your healthcare provider/doctor prescribes for obese persons. You can not buy them off the shelf in a chemist shop like you buy any non-prescription drugs.
Who can take AODs?
Your doctor will suggest a AODs or weight-loss drugs, if you have not been able to lose weight through diet and exercise and your:
- BMI is greater than 30. This means you are living with a condition that involves having too much body fat, called obesity.
- BMI is greater than 27. You also have a serious medical problem like diabetes or high blood pressure.
These AODs are not for everyone. For example-pregnant women are prescribed AODs, and it is also not prescribed for breastfeeding women.
How well do AODs work?
Prescription AODs that you can use for more than 12 weeks, called long-term use, lead to major weight loss compare with an inactive treatment, that does not use medicine. The combination of AODs and lifestyle changes leads to greater weight loss than do lifestyle changes alone.
Taking these drugs for a year can mean a loss of total body weight of 3 to 12% more than that loss with lifestyle changes alone. Losing 5-10% of your total weight and keeping it off can have important health benefits. For example, it can lower blood pressure, blood sugar levels and levels of fats in the blood called triglycerides.
AODs are medications designed to aid weight loss and improve obesity-related healt conditions. These works through various mechanisms-suppressing appetite, altering metabolism, or reducing fat absorption. Some commonly used AODs are
- Orlistat
- Liraglutide
- Semaglutide
- Phentermine-topiramate
- Naltrexone-bupropion
Pros of AODs
1 Effective Weight Loss– Several drugs have shown 10-15% weight loss during clinical trials.
2 Improved Metabolic Health– AODs can lead to significant improvements in:
- Blood Sugar control
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol levels
- Insulin sensitivity
These changes help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
3 Enhanced Quality of Life– Weight loss often improves:
- Mobility
- Sleep quality (especially in sleep apnea)
- Joint pain
- Energy levels
- Self-esteemed and mental well-being.
4 Supports Long-term Management– When used along with lifestyle interventions, AODS can help sustain weight loss, which is iften the hardest part of weight management.
5 Non-surgical Option-For patients unwilling or unfit for bariatic surgery, AODs offer a less invasive alternative.
Cons of AODs
1 Side Effects and Safety Concerns
Many AODs are associated with adverse side effects:
- Orlistat: diarrhea, oily stools, flatulence
- Semaglutide/liraglutide: nausea, vomiting, pancreatitis risk
- Phentermine: insomnia, increased heart rate, potential for dependence
2 High Cost and Limited accessibility
Some drugs can be extremely expensive This makes them inaccessible to many patients in low-income and middle-income countries.
3 Not a Cure-Requires Lifelong Management
Most patients regain weight after stopping medications, implying long-term use may be necessary, raising cost and safety concerns.
4 Psychological and Social Dependence
There is concern that AODs may lead to overreliance, with individuals avoiding sustainable lifestyle changes. Some may also use AODs for cosmetic weight loss, not medical necessity.
5 Potential for Misuse
The rising popularity of AODs even among non-obese individuals for aesthetic purposes, can lead to shortages and misuse, putting real obese patients at risk.
In the end, AODs represent a powerful tool in the fight against obesity, especially for individuals with significant health risks. When prescribed judiciously and used alongside with lifestyle changes, they can deliver life-changing benefits. However they are not magic bullet-long term success depends on multi-dimensional approach combining medication, nutrition, and lifestyle changes.
Waiting for your feedback o this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
23rd July 2025