Weight Loss
14 min read
Written by Stephanie Brown
Published: Jan 26, 2024
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Kasra Tayebi
Are you concerned about your weight and interested in managing it with medication? Not sure how to ask your doctor for weight loss pills? You’re not alone and you’ve come to the right place! Speaking to your provider about your options shouldn’t be intimidating.
This article prepares you to ask your doctor if a medication-managed approach to weight loss is right for you.
Talking to your doctor about your weight can be awkward, never mind asking for pills. Here are some tips to help you ease into the conversation:
There’s no one right answer for everything, and every person’s health is different. You should ask your doctor for pills or injections when you feel you want and need help losing weight or that your weight may be endangering your health.
Still not sure? Ask yourself these questions:
If you find yourself answering “yes” to any of these questions, have a conversation with your healthcare provider about medically supervised weight loss. Together, you can find a plan and/or medication that’s right for you. Need a weight-loss specialist? Find one on Klarity.
Your doctor may or may not agree to prescribe medication for you, depending on what’s right for you, your body, and your health.
Here are a few reasons why your doctor may not suggest prescription medication.
They may want you to try a more conservative approach, beginning with a diet and exercise plan designed for your age and current health status.
If this is the case, make sure you’ve talked to your provider about any diet and/or exercise regimens you’ve tried and whether you were satisfied with the outcome. This can help them come up with a plan tailored to your needs. It also empowers you to be involved in the decision.
Most prescription weight loss medications are FDA-approved primarily for people with BMIs of 30 or higher or a BMI of 27 or higher and a weight-related health condition. You may not fall in this category.
Your provider might also be concerned about whether weight loss pills are safe for you to take with other medications you’re on or health conditions you have (this includes being pregnant or breastfeeding). Be sure to ask your doctor about what options are safe for you.
This is entirely dependent on your current health and medical history. For example, it’s advised that those with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or endocrine neoplasia symptom type 2 avoid taking tirzepatide (Zepbound and Mounjaro) and semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy). Additionally, you may have a current health condition that’s contradicted by some medications and their side effects.
Trust your doctor. You know your body and needs, they know the science and what’s best for your health. Together, you can figure out the best weight-loss plan for you.
If you and your healthcare provider decide that medication is right for you, here are a few questions to ask your provider to ensure you get the best results.
Some of the best prescription weight loss pills that your doctor may prescribe include:
Some prescription weight loss medications require prior authorization before insurance will cover them and they can be costly. Websites, like GoodRx, can provide valuable coupons for medications that aren’t covered by insurance. They can even help you find the pharmacy with the lowest price in your area. Most of the manufacturers of the drugs listed above also offer savings programs.
Know that any medication has side effects and you should talk to your doctor and pharmacist to understand what to watch for.
If your doctor doesn’t agree to prescribe diet pills, your doctor will explain why. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and make sure you understand your doctor’s recommendation.
They should work with you on a tailored weight management or weight loss plan that doesn’t include medications if they feel you need one. Your doctor may even suggest over-the-counter pills (OTC) or supplements as an option as well. A lower-strength version of Xenical, called Alli, is available without a prescription.
If your doctor doesn’t feel you need to lose weight, they may suggest you talk to a therapist about your weight concerns and what’s causing you to feel you need to lose weight when you don’t. They may refer you to a therapist. If not, you can find a mental health provider on Klarity.
Find a specialist on the Klarity platform and get support for a medically-managed approach to weight loss. Find a provider on Klarity and in a few days, talk to a doctor about losing weight.
The information provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as a guarantee of service, legal, or medical advice. The content here is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider or lawyer with any questions you may have regarding a medical or legal issue. Klarity does not assume liability for any reliance on the information provided on our blog.
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