Medication

Exploring the benefits and drawbacks of weight loss drugs, helping you make an informed decision about your health journey.

Topiramate is an anticonvulsant and antimigraine drug that causes weight loss as a documented side effect — not as its primary indication. In the UK, topiramate monotherapy for weight loss is not MHRA-licensed. The combination Qsymia (topiramate + phentermine) is licensed in the US but not the UK. Topiramate's weight loss mechanisms: appetite suppression via GABA-A receptor modulation and carbonic anhydrase inhibition, altered taste perception, and possible reduced caloric intake. Side effects include cognitive impairment, paraesthesia, and teratogenicity (Category D — must not be used in pregnancy without contraception).

Sertraline (Zoloft) has a more complex relationship with weight than most people realise. Short-term weight loss is common early on; longer-term weight gain is more common with sustained use. Here is what the evidence shows and practical strategies for managing weight while on SSRIs.

Several medications treat type 2 diabetes while producing significant weight loss. GLP-1 agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors lead the evidence base. This article covers the clinical trial data, NICE approval status, and how different drug classes affect both weight and blood glucose.