Is there medicine that can help me manage my weight?
There are only a few medicines approved in Canada to treat obesity. For some people, medicine may be added to the lifestyle changes they're already making. This includes healthy eating and activity. If you want to know if medicine is right for you, talk with your healthcare provider.
You may have heard about or seen products advertised on TV or in magazines that claim to help you lose weight quickly and with little effort. These products include drinks, powders, and pills that make claims about weight loss, melting fat, or boosting your metabolism. Based on the research studies so far, there’s not enough proof that these products will help. There may be safety concerns and unwanted side effects with some of these products. If you’re thinking about or already taking a product and would like to learn more, talk with your healthcare provider.
Can some medicine affect weight?
Medicine that changes your appetite, metabolism, heart rate, digestion, breathing, and mood can also affect your weight (loss or gain). Your doctor or healthcare provider may suggest or make changes to your medicine as part of your plan to help you manage your weight. Talk to your healthcare providers, including your doctor and pharmacist, about all the medicines you take. Ask how they might affect your weight and health.
It’s also a good idea to regularly review all the medicines you take with your healthcare provider.
