Obesity Medication | The Science of Obesity

PRESCRIPTIONS
FOR OBESITY

Prescription medication may be a useful addition to lifestyle measures for managing obesity.

Prescription medication may be a useful addition for managing obesity.
Expected weight loss in 1 year is about 2.9% – 6.0% of your overall body weight.^1,2

In the past few years a number of medications that can be taken for more than three months have become available. These medications usually reduce appetite and increase or prolong feelings of fullness after eating.^2-4

When lifestyle and behavioural modification strategies are insufficient and BMI remains greater than 30 or between 27–30 with obesity-related complications, these medications may be appropriate.^1,2-4

How well does pharmacotherapy work?

Clinical studies of drug therapies have shown average weight loss of between 3% and 12% of baseline bodyweight; an outcome strongly influenced by individual physiology.¹

In order to take medications for more than three months, you must lose at least 5% of your starting weight within 12 weeks of commencing the maximum recommended dose.^3,4

In clinical studies, 50–68% of people achieved this required weight loss.^3,4 If you have not lost at least 5% of your starting weight in three months or you need to lose more, your doctor will discuss additional options with you.¹

3-6%

Weight loss achieved from obesity medications^1,2

32-50%

Did not achieve the required weight loss to continue obesity medication^3,4

BARIATRIC SURGERY FOR WEIGHT LOSS

Learn more about reducing weight through surgery

NAVIGATION

UNDERSTANDING OBESITY

Discover the real science of obesity Understand the science

THE RISKS OF OBESITY

How obesity can impact you What are the risks?

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Science based treatments and outcomes What are the options?

REAL PEOPLE, REAL STORIES

Hear from those who have treated their obesity successfully See real stories

Here’s the science:

Pilitsi E, et al. Pharmacotherapy of obesity: Available medications and drugs under investigation. Metab Clin Exp 2019; 92: 170–92.
Lee PC, Dixon J. Pharmacotherapy for obesity. Aust Fam Phys. 2017; 46(7): 472–7.
Saxenda Product Information. Available at https://www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/auspar-liraglutide-190429-pi.pdf Accessed December 2019.
Contrave Product Information. Available at https://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/ebs/picmi/picmirepository.nsf/pdf?OpenAgent&id=CP-2019-PI-01018-1&d=201912201016933 Accessed December 2019.

Widely recognised as a chronic disease with severe health and quality of life consequences, obesity is greatly under diagnosed and under treated.^1-4

Misinformation, discrimination and stigma surround all aspects of obesity.⁵

This site will give you the information and tools to help you tackle this complex disease. Using real science, for real change.

START BY SPEAKING TO YOUR GP

And begin by making a weight-management plan that’s right for you.

1. Bray G, et al. Obesity: a chronic relapsing progressive disease process. A position statement of the World Obesity Federation, Obesity Rev 2017; 18(7); 715–23.

2. Caterson I, et al. Gaps to bridge: Misalignment between perception, reality and actions in obesity, Diabetes Obes Metab 2019; 21(8): 1914–24.

3. Golden A, et al. Insights and perceptions of obesity management in people with obesity: results of the national ACTION study. Presented at Obesity Week; 31 Oct–4 Nov 2015: New Orleans, USA.

4. Oldham M, Robinson E. Visual body size norms and the under-detection of overweight and obesity. Obes Sci Pract 2017; 4(1): 29–40.

5. RACGP. Obesity prevention and management position statement 2019.

PRESCRIPTIONS FOR OBESITY