Weight loss drugs are medicines that help you lose weight. They work in different ways to help you reach your goals. Some lower hunger, some help you feel full sooner, and others improve how your body uses energy. 

These medicines are tools. Lasting success still comes from healthy habits.

Your care team can help you decide which medicine best fits your needs. They’ll guide you through every step, including starting at a low dose and increasing gradually. We’ll check in often to make sure you feel well and are seeing results.

Weight loss medicines can also be part of care for weight-related health issues like diabetes, sleep apnea, or fatty liver disease. We’ll work with your other Carilion doctors to ensure your care plan works safely across all your health needs.

Types of weight loss drugs

Your care team may suggest one or more of the following:

• GLP-1 receptor agonists: These include Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide). They help reduce hunger cues, make you feel fuller, and manage your blood sugar.
• Appetite-suppressant medicines: These include Adipex-P (phentermine) and Qsymia (phentermine/topiramate). They help lower hunger and curb cravings.
• Medicines that change how your body uses fat or calories: These include Alli (orlistat). They lower how much fat your body absorbs from the food you eat.

We only use FDA-approved medicines. Our medical weight loss team prescribes these medicines and manages your dose.

Weight loss medicines can help adults with overweight or obesity who haven’t met their goals through lifestyle changes alone. We’ll look at your health history, the medicine you take, and your goals before suggesting any drug.

For some people, weight loss medicines also improve weight-related health issues, such as:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Sleep apnea
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Fatty liver disease
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Joint pain 
• Back pain
• Infertility
• Idiopathic intracranial hypertension

We’ll help you figure out whether medicine is right for you and what results you can expect.

If you started weight loss medicine somewhere else

Many people come to us when they’re already taking weight loss medicine. You may have a prescription through your primary care team, a specialist, or an online service. If you’ve already started a medicine, we can help you continue safely and get the most benefit from it.

We’ll review your dose, side effects, and any other medicines you take. In some cases, we adjust how or when you take your medicine. We may suggest a different option that fits your health needs better.

Our goal is to guide you with expert oversight, so you feel your best and see steady progress.

Starting a new medicine can feel like a big step. We make the process clear and supportive, so you know what to expect at every stage.

Before you start

We’ll review your health history, current medicines, and goals to choose a safe option for you. Our team explains how the medicine works, what results to expect, and how to take it. We also work with your insurance to reduce delays and out-of-pocket costs.

During treatment

You’ll start with a low dose of the medicine so your body can adjust. We increase the dose slowly over time when it’s safe and helpful for your progress. You’ll have regular check-ins to track results, manage side effects, and so you can ask questions. If needed, we order lab tests and adjust the plan to keep you feeling your best.

Long-term use

Weight loss medicines work best when paired with healthy habits. We’ll continue to support you with nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and stress reduction tools. Our goal is to help you lose weight and keep it off in a healthy, sustainable way.

If you’re planning on having bariatric surgery, we can guide safe medicine use before and after.