Can the doctor give me something to lose weight?
Lose Weight?
It’s important to start by saying that healthy weight loss will always involve a good diet and regular movement / exercise. Looking after your body and maintaining a healthy weight should never mean starving yourself or trying any pills or treatments that could be unsafe. However, if you’ve been trying to lose excess weight for some time without success, you may be looking for medical advice and support. Many weight loss services are available in pharmacies near you that can help, including with prescription treatments like Saxenda, orlistat, Mysimba or newcomer Wegovy.
Pharmacists can offer prescription treatments for weight loss
Many local pharmacies now offer weight management services. This includes prescription weight loss pills and jabs, like Wegovy, that have been shown to help people lose weight effectively. Pharmacists also have the option to provide treatments that your doctor may not be able to prescribe. This is because some weight loss pills are only available privately and not via the NHS.
Your pharmacist will help you find the right treatment option
As part of the weight management service, your pharmacist will discuss your goals in order to come up with a weight loss plan that works for you. If a prescription pill or injection could help, they will offer it to you along with support and advice on taking it properly.
There are a few different types of weight loss treatments available
Your pharmacist can talk to you about the pros and cons of each weight loss treatment and whether there’s an option that’s right for you. Types of prescription weight loss treatments include:
- Wegovy – A once-weekly injection that can help suppress hunger and food craving. Wegovy should be available in the UK in spring 2023.
- Saxenda – A daily injection that works on the receptors that control appetite, causing you to feel fuller and less hungry. This may help you eat less food and reduce your body weight
- Mysimba – A combination pill that targets the parts of the brain involved in the control of food intake and energy expenditure. This can help reduce hunger and food cravings
- Orlistat – A pill that works in your digestive system to block the digestion of some of the fat from the food. The undigested fat cannot be absorbed and is eliminated by your body
Weight loss surgery can also be an option for people who are struggling to reach a healthy weight.
While most of us understand how weight loss works, actually losing extra weight is not always easy. This is where medical support can help. Your local pharmacy can be a great place to access professional weight-loss assistance.
You can book an appointment with our pharmacist here
