What is the best weight loss treatment for my needs

Lifestyle changes and support 

Best for: everyone who wants to lose weight or prevent further gain Lifestyle changes remain the foundation of any weight loss plan, whether or not you use medication. Key elements include: 
Following a reduced calorie, balanced diet with plenty of fibre, lean protein, fruit and vegetables 
Reducing sugary drinks, processed foods and high fat snacks 
Building regular physical activity into your day, such as brisk walking, cycling or swimming 
Improving sleep routine and managing stress 
Getting support from friends, family or a structured weight management programme 

Pros: 
Supports overall health, not just weight 
No medicine related side effects 
Can be maintained long term with the right support 

Cons: 
Progress can feel slow 
Hard to maintain changes alone, especially if appetite hormones and cravings are strong 
For many people, lifestyle measures alone are not enough, which is where prescription treatments may be considered as an additional tool. 
 
Prescription weight loss tablets 

Best for: adults who meet medical criteria for pharmacological weight management, after lifestyle changes have been attempted 
Weight loss tablets prescribed in the UK are designed to support weight management by reducing fat absorption or helping to control appetite, always alongside changes to diet and activity. 
Your prescriber will assess whether any of the following options are clinically appropriate for you. 
 
Orlistat Capsules
Best for: adults with a higher BMI who have already tried diet and exercise but need extra support with fat intake 
Orlistat Capsules is a medicine that works in the gut by blocking some of the fat you eat from being absorbed. The unabsorbed fat passes out of the body in your stools instead. NHS guidance states that orlistat is usually considered only after lifestyle changes and is generally offered to adults with a BMI of 30 or more, or 28 or more with other weight related conditions such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes. 

Pros: 
Helps reduce the number of calories absorbed from dietary fat 
Can support gradual, steady weight loss when combined with a low fat, reduced calorie diet 
Available as a branded version, Xenical, and as generic capsules 

Cons: 
Can cause gastrointestinal side effects such as oily stools, wind and urgent bowel movements, especially if meals are high in fat 
Requires sticking to a lower fat diet to minimise side effects 
Not suitable for everyone, including some people with chronic malabsorption or certain medical conditions 
Your healthcare professional will explain how to take orlistat safely, which foods to limit and when to stop treatment if weight loss is not sufficient. 
 
Mysimba tablets 
Best for: adults with obesity who struggle with appetite and cravings and meet BMI criteria 
Mysimba contains two active ingredients, naltrexone and bupropion, which act on areas of the brain involved in hunger, reward and cravings. It is licensed as an adjunct to a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity for adults with a BMI of 30 or more, or 27 or more if they have weight related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, dyslipidaemia or controlled high blood pressure. 

Pros: 
Can help reduce appetite and cravings so that it is easier to stick to dietary changes 
Shown in studies to support clinically meaningful weight loss in some patients when combined with lifestyle measures 

Cons: 
Not suitable for everyone, including people with certain mental health conditions, seizure disorders, uncontrolled high blood pressure or those taking specific medicines 
Can cause side effects such as nausea, headache, sleep disturbance or increased blood pressure in some people 
Needs regular monitoring, and treatment is usually stopped if a set amount of weight has not been lost within a defined period 
Your prescriber will go through your medical history in detail and explain the potential benefits and risks before deciding whether Mysimba is appropriate. 
 
Prescription weight loss injections 
Best for: adults with obesity and weight related health problems who meet strict eligibility criteria 

Weight loss injections such as semaglutide, known by the brand name Wegovy, mimic a natural hormone called GLP 1. They help regulate appetite, slow stomach emptying and can lead to reduced calorie intake. Clinical trials have shown that many people taking semaglutide alongside diet and activity changes lose a significant amount of weight compared with lifestyle changes alone. 
In the UK, guidance recommends that semaglutide for weight management should only be used in adults with obesity who have a high BMI and at least one weight related condition, and usually within a specialist weight management service. 

Pros: 
Can lead to greater weight loss than some oral medicines when combined with lifestyle changes,May also improve certain health markers such as blood sugar and cardiovascular risk factors in people with related conditions 

Cons: 
Requires regular injections can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, particularly when treatment is started or doses are increased.
Not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding and may not be appropriate for people with certain medical histories 
Supplies and eligibility can be limited in some settings 

At wellmeds, any decision to prescribe a weight loss injection follows an online consultation that is reviewed by a UK registered prescriber, who will check whether you meet clinical criteria and whether the medicine is safe for you. 
 
Choosing what is best for you 
There is no single best treatment that suits everyone. When talking to your doctor or pharmacist, it can help to think about questions such as: 

What is my current BMI and do I have any weight related health problems 

Which lifestyle changes have I already tried and for how long Am I comfortable with tablets, injections or would I -prefer to focus on non medicine approaches 
What other medicines am I taking and could there be interactions 
What level of monitoring or follow up am I happy with 

For many people, a combined approach works best. For example, a reduced calorie diet, increased physical activity and behaviour support, plus a suitable prescription medicine, can work together to improve results. Treatment is usually reviewed regularly, and medicines are often stopped if they are not helping you lose enough weight or if side effects are a problem. 

Weight loss is not simply about willpower, and needing extra support does not mean you have failed. Prescription weight loss treatments can be a helpful tool for some adults with obesity, especially when there are other health conditions involved, but they are never a quick fix. They work best as part of a long term plan that also focuses on what you eat, how active you are and how you look after your overall wellbeing.