How can I use treatments to help me lose weight?

A healthy diet and effective exercise regimen are essential to achieving and maintaining weight loss in a sustainable way, as well as being vital components of a healthy lifestyle. However, weight loss treatments can be helpful if diet and exercise alone aren’t getting results. 

There are a range of different weight loss treatments available, in different formats and at different strengths. The first step to finding out which is the best choice for you is to learn more about the various medications available and how they differ. 

What is the strongest weight loss prescription pill?

The only weight loss medication available as a pill or capsule is orlistat, which is also sold under a number of brand names. It works by affecting the way you digest your food and preventing roughly 33% of the fat you consume from being absorbed. This fat will then pass through your digestive system and be excreted with other waste products. As a result, orlistat helps to prevent you from gaining weight, and may also help you to lose weight. 

Typically, you won’t be advised to take orlistat unless you’ve already made significant efforts to lose weight through non-medicinal methods - such as eating well and exercising regularly - and have seen little or no progress. It’s also usually only recommended if you are obese, with a BMI of 30 or higher. You may be advised to take orlistat if you have a BMI of 28 or higher if you also have other weight-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. 

Orlistat is available in a range of strengths. Depending on your weight loss goals and current situation, you may need a higher or lower strength of the medication than others. This is something you can discuss with healthcare professionals to ensure you’re choosing the best medication for you. 

The highest strength weight loss pills are Xenical and generic orlistat, which come in the form of 120mg hard capsules. These are available on prescription. Alternatively, you can access lower strength orlistat medications with a pharmacist’s consultation. These are available as 60mg hard capsules (half the strength of prescription orlistat) and are distributed under the brand names Alli and Orlos. 

Whichever weight loss pill you choose, it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet and getting plenty of exercise. This can help you to lose weight and make it easier to keep the weight off after you stop taking orlistat. 

If orlistat works for you, you can expect to lose roughly 5% of your starting weight within approximately three months. You may be advised to stop taking orlistat if you haven’t seen this progress within three months, as the medication isn’t working for you. In this case, your doctor or pharmacist can help you to find alternative solutions.

What is the best injection for weight loss?

When it comes to weight loss injections, the only medications considered safe and effective for use by the NHS are tirzepatide, liraglutide and semaglutide. These are sold under a number of different brand names. 

Tirzepatide was made available for weight management most recently, in November 2023. Before that, it was authorised as a medication to treat type 2 diabetes. Like liraglutide and semaglutide, it’s a medicine that curbs your appetite by making you feel fuller. This leads to consuming fewer calories and ultimately losing weight. 

It’s important to listen to the advice of your healthcare team when you are prescribed tirzepatide, liraglutide or semaglutide, as there are differences between them despite their similarities. For example, semaglutide is typically taken once per week, while liraglutide is taken once per day. Your doctor or pharmacist can also advise you on how best to administer the injection. 

As with other weight loss treatments, it’s important to stick to a healthy, balanced, calorie-reduced diet and exercise regimen when using weight loss injections. As well as helping to reach your weight management goals, this also makes it easier for you to maintain a healthy weight once you stop taking the medication. 

You’ll also continue to have reviews of your progress while using weight management injections. The exact goals and timings differ between medications, but you can ask your healthcare team if you’re at all unsure about this. If you haven’t lost 5% of your starting weight by the time of the review, it’s unlikely that the medication will work for you, and you may be advised to try a different treatment. 

Weight loss injections are prescription medications, and are typically available under brand names. For example, the drug known as Wegovy is semaglutide, Mounjaro is tirzepatide and Saxenda is liraglutide. Your healthcare provider can help you to understand which is the best choice for you based on your:

• Weight management goals
• Overall health - e.g. any underlying conditions you may have
• Medical history - both personal and familial
• Current BMI
• Other medications you are taking.

There are a wide range of weight loss pills and injections available to help you lose weight, but none are a replacement for a healthy, balanced diet and exercise. Your healthcare team can advise you on specific lifestyle changes you can make to help you reach your weight management goals. 

Sources:

• Dietary advice for patients taking orlistat
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/obesity/treatment
• MHRA authorises diabetes drug Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for weight management and weight loss

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment or medication.