What You Need To Understand About Weight Loss Medications Before You Try One...

With weight loss medication on the rise, it’s important to talk about the pros, the cons, and the education! I work with many women who are either curious about weight loss medication, have suffered side effect from them, or have thrived on them. The one thing these women have in common is that they discovered how important it is to heal their “food wounds” and figure out what their body personally needs to thrive. But first, let’s talk about what weight loss medication actually does.

The most popular FDA-approved weight loss medication includes GLP-1 receptor agonists, combination agents, lipase inhibitors, and sympathomimetic agents. Each class uses a different mechanism in the body but generally yield the similar external result… weight loss. If you want to learn more about the specific classes of medication and their mechanisms, please see the science section below and consult with your doctor.

But for now, let’s talk about the expression of these medications on the female body.

Weight loss medications are becoming more common in conversations about health and weight management. For many, they can support appetite regulation and help with weight loss under the supervision of a medical provider. At the same time, they work within a much larger system in the body that includes appetite signals, digestion, muscle maintenance, and long-term metabolic health. Because of this, they are not just a “quick fix” solution. I cannot stress that enough. They are a medical tool that works best when there is also support around nutrition, protein intake, movement, and long-term habits.

Speaking of habits, from my experience and conversations with clients, the change in food consumption may start with medication, but it ends with habits. If you are having fast food and added sugar on a regular basis and then you introduce weight loss medication to your body, you may notice your appetite dwindles, so you eat less. What the medication doesn’t tell you is what to eat. You may still eat fast food and food with added sugar, just less of it. This is why support is necessary to help you build better eating habits while using weight loss medication. Without guidance and a proper eating plan, you can gain the weight back and then some once you stop, or worse, your body can suffer tremendously due to nutrient deficiencies.

As a woman, getting enough nutrition to support energy, hormones, and muscle health, bone health, and our natural aging process is paramount, especially when appetite decreases. These important functions make up our lives. We need these bodily functions operating at an optimal level to support us as we age and as our bodies change (hello menopause).

What do we need to do if we are taking weight loss medication or considering one?

• First, do not rely on them as the holy grail for weight loss. Yes, it sounds counterintuitive, but these medications are not meant to be taken forever so you need to learn your body and what it needs so you can make lasting change. It is easy to allow medication to be the band-aid that quickly gets you to where you want to be, but it wasn’t meant to be the safety net for poor nutrition (too real?).

• Next, get a team! Your primary doctor may be your first call, which is good for getting general information, starting the process, and monitoring results. However, establishing a relationship with a specialized nutritionist, personal trainer, health coach, and/or food therapist/counselor (at least one of these in addition to your doctor), is helpful when identifying underlying health-related factors, creating a movement plan that complements your nutrition, and healing any food wounds.

• Challenge what you think you know about nutrition, exercise, mindset, and habits. We can’t know everything about everything and it’s a tall order to have you manage your life and weight loss without the proper guidance. Allow your medical and health professionals to do their part in helping you reach your goals but ask all the questions you want. You should be able to lean on their expertise.

• Lastly, give yourself time. Even when you add medication, this is still an experiment and a journey. Pace yourself, set realistic milestones, and be specific with your health goals, keep your eyes on your own progress, and be open to changing things up when you see a plateau or if something isn’t working for you.

These are the basics when it comes to adding weight loss medication to your health journey. To attain and maintain your weight loss, consider the whole picture. Seeing other’s results and medical claims can make anyone feel eager and long for the same success but remember that everyone is different and your body will move to its own rhythm.

Your rhythm is where you find balance, peace within and across your life, and become the woman you were meant to be. There is nothing wrong with getting a little help in the meantime. Whether you choose to try weight loss medication or work strictly with healthcare professionals, this is your life and you can do this!

Now that you have more information and insight, you can make an informed decision and take care of your body on your terms. And remember, this is just the beginning of you making an informed decision. Keep asking questions and we'll build on the health conversation in the next Health Edit!

You've got this!

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The Science Behind This

Excessive weight gain is caused by dysregulation of complex interactions between the brain, gut, and other organs, like the muscles, and fat cells. Most weight loss medications in this category (including GLP-1 receptor agonists) work by influencing appetite regulation and satiety pathways in the brain and gut. Clinical research shows they can reduce appetite and support weight loss in certain populations. However, studies also emphasize the importance of preserving lean mass, maintaining nutrient intake, and combining medication with behavioral and lifestyle strategies for more sustainable outcomes. This is extremely important for women when considering hormonal changes.

Please see the excerpts below to get the conversation started with your care provider.

• GLP-1 receptor antagonists (Semaglutide/Wegovy or Ozempic, Liraglutide/Saxenda): These drugs mimic gut hormones and increase fullness while reducing gastric emptying. This increases fullness and minimizes the food noise/reward feedback loop. Keep in mind that Liraglutide/Saxenda is meant for long-term use and Semaglutide/Wegovy is meant for long-term use as well.

• Dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists (Tirzepatide/Zepbound): This medication generally shows highest weight loss efficacy of up to 20%. They target two pathways; it acts on the brain to reduce appetite and slowing digestion. These are intended for long-term use so consult your doctor before starting and stopping these to ensure proper treatment. This medication often reduces gastrointestinal side effects like nausea that are common with GLP-1s.

• Combination agents (Phentermine-topiramate, Naltrexon-bupropion): Phentermine is a short-term solution that works to suppress the appetite by increasing receptor activity a.k.a. binding to norepinephrine/GABA and/or decreases glutamate receptor activity. Naltrexon is a long-term solution meant to reduce appetite and increase fullness by decreasing to opioid receptor activity or binding to dopamine receptors. Note that phentermine lacks long-term data to support extended use.

• Lipase inhibitors (Orlistat): This medication decreases gastrointestinal and pancreatic fat absorption but can cause oily stool and/or incontinence among other fat-related issues as well as a deficiency in fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. It is meant for long-term use. It is important to know that this is intended for those who tend to eat more fatty food.

• Sympathomimetic agents (Phentermine, Diethylproprion): These agents are used in conjunction with diet and exercise. They are intended to lower appetite and may speed up bodily functions related to weight loss. They are not intended for long-term use

  
  

Must Mention

• Compounded Weight Loss Medications (usually contains a semaglutide and tirzepatide). These are usually prescribed for patients whose weight loss needs are not met by an FDA-approved medication.

References –

Beshir, S. A., Elnour, A. A., Soorya, A., Mohamed, A. P., Loon Goh, S. S., Hussain, N., Al Haddad, A. H., Hussain, F., Khidir, I. Y., & Abdelnassir, Z. (2023). A narrative review of approved and emerging anti-obesity medications. Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal : SPJ, 31(10), 101757. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsps.2023.101757

Chamarthi, V. S., & Daley, S. F. (2025, September 2). Obesity Medications: Evidence-Based Management. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK618375/

Inchiosa Jr., M. (2010). Experience (Mostly Negative) with the Use of Sympathomimetic Agents for Weight Loss. Journal of Obesity, 2011, 764584. https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/764584

Radparvar, I., & Agrawal, D. K. (2025). A Critical Analysis of the Clinical Use of Incretin-Based Therapies: Efficacy and Adverse Events. Archives of Clinical and Medical Case Reports, 9(6), 242. https://doi.org/10.26502/acmcr.96550740

Research, C. F. D. E. A. (2026, February 4). FDA’s Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight Loss. U.S. Food And Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/fdas-concerns-unapproved-glp-1-drugs-used-weight-loss

Tak, Y. J., & Lee, S. Y. (2021). Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Anti-Obesity Treatment: Where Do We Stand? Current Obesity Reports, 10(1), 14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-020-00422-w