Can Obesity Be Treated with Medication?

Lifestyle change is the cornerstone of obesity treatment, but many people cannot reach or maintain their goal weight with it alone. This is not a lack of willpower: after weight loss the body raises hunger hormones and lowers energy expenditure.

Why Obesity Is Chronic

Like hypertension or diabetes, obesity may require long-term treatment because the biology that drives weight regain persists.

Medications

GLP-1 receptor agonists (liraglutide, semaglutide), dual GLP-1/GIP agonists (tirzepatide) and older agents such as orlistat. Semaglutide reduced heart attacks and strokes in people with obesity and cardiovascular disease in the SELECT trial.

How Treatment Is Planned

1. Rule out hormonal causes and assess related conditions
2. Set realistic goals
3. Start at a low dose and titrate
4. Combine with nutrition, protein intake and resistance exercise
5. Review response every three months

For severe obesity, bariatric surgery may be more effective. Dr. Demirci co-authored chapters of the TEMD obesity guidelines.