Well-being

Obesity: causes and treatments

Obesity and excessive weight are conditions that affect a lot of people. And if you’ve ever attempted to lose weight, you surely know that it’s far from easy! We’ve all tried dieting, perhaps keto or dubious smoothies, intensive workouts and other so-called remedies… usually with mixed results. Thankfully, your pharmacist affiliated with Accès pharma can help to clear your way back to health.

Demystifying the underlying causes

Contrary to popular belief, eating too much is not always enough to cause weight gain on its own. Anxiety, depression, genetics or even some prescription medications can impact your weight. So don’t blame yourself unjustly. Finding solutions that are suited to your needs is perfectly possible.

Which medications can help me fight excess weight?

There are numerous treatments against obesity. And when it comes to providing recommendations, your pharmacist remains a valuable ally. For example, even though semaglutide (found in Ozempic®) is prescribed to many patients looking to lose weight, officially it’s a treatment meant for people who have type 2 diabetes. So if your goal is to lose weight but you aren’t diabetic, it may be recommended that you take semaglutide in an alternative form (such as Wegovy®).

Other medications that are officially indicated for obesity in Canada are liraglutide (found in Saxenda®), naltrexone and bupropion (found in Contrave®), as well as orlistat (found in Xenical®). It’s important to note that in order for any of these medications to be prescribed to you, you must first be assessed by your doctor or pharmacist affiliated with Accès pharma. They can determine which treatments are best suited to your needs and your specific situation.

How does semaglutide (found in Wegovy®) work?

This new treatment comes in an injectable pen and usually allows for an average weight loss that is higher than other medications against obesity. It is, however, only prescribed to obese patients whose body-mass index is higher than 30 or to overweight patients whose body-mass index is higher than 27 who also suffer from hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia or sleep apnea. For optimal results, it is recommended that semaglitude (found in Wegovy®) be combined with a healthy diet and active lifestyle.

Healthy mind, healthy body

As the saying goes, mental health and physical health go hand in hand. Anxiety, depression and other mental health issues can without a doubt drive weight gain… whether you’re taking prescription medication or not. That’s why it’s so important to consult your pharmacist in order to be well informed of side effects and what to expect in general from your medications. Remember: you’re not alone! Far from it. In Canada, nearly 2 out of 3 adults suffer from obesity or excessive weight. (In children, that number is 1 out of 3.)

Your pharmacist affiliated with Accès pharma can help you to better grasp your options. Talk to them today.

Frequently asked questions

You got more questions?

Think you may have diabetes? First symptoms can appear suddenly (type 1) or progressively (type 2).

Type 1 diabetes symptoms

frequent urge to urinate
abundant urine
excessive thirst
excessive appetite and weight loss
visual impairment
significant fatigue

Type 2 diabetes symptoms

frequent urge to urinate
excessive thirst
slowed healing of wounds
fatigue
blurred vision
recurring infections

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