Eligibility and Long-Term Use of Weight Loss Medications

Patients eligible for weight loss medications typically have a BMI greater than 30 or a BMI greater than 27 with coexisting conditions like diabetes, sleep apnea, hyperlipidemia, or heart disease but shouldn't have gastrointestinal issues, significant gallbladder disease, or be pregnant. Long-term use of weight loss medications is considered due to the potential for weight regain after discontinuation, and the approach may vary for different individuals. The long-term use can involve adjusting the dosage or frequency of the medication. Obesity is viewed as a chronic condition similar to diabetes, and as such, the medications are perceived as long-term treatment to address the underlying biological factors responsible for obesity's persistence.