Prescription Medication for Weight Loss

Dr. Nielsen has years of clinical experience adjusting and prescribing medication for weight loss. Did you know that certain medications you are taking may be contributing your weight gain? Sometimes simple adjustments can make a big difference. If appropriate, prescription medications such as Phentermine/Adipex, Qsymia®, or Contrave® may be added to your medically-supervised weight loss program to reduce hunger and cravings.

Phentermine is a prescription medication that is approved for short-term use along with dietary changes and exercise for the treatment of obesity. Phentermine works by stimulating an area in the brain called the hypothalamus, affecting certain neurotransmitters to decrease appetite. It can be useful to curb excessive hunger and cravings while you adjust to a new way of eating.

Qsymia® is a new FDA-approved prescription weight loss medicine. Qsymia® is a combination of Phentermine and Topirimate, a medication often prescribed for the management of chronic migraine headaches. In clinical studies, the combination of the two medications has been shown to produce weight loss in obese patients when combined with a calorie-restricted diet and exercise. Learn more about Qsymia®, www.qsymia.com

Contrave® is a prescription-only, FDA-approved weight-loss pill believed to work on two areas of your brain—the hunger center and the reward system—to reduce hunger and help control cravings. Contrave contains two medicines, bupropion, and naltrexone. These well-known drugs have been prescribed separately for years—bupropion for depression and smoking cessation, and naltrexone for alcohol and opioid dependence. For more information visit www.contrave.com