A new study from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania suggests that introducing anti-obesity medication just one month after starting behavioral therapy can double the amount of weight lost compared to waiting the recommended six months.
The findings indicate that for individuals who struggle to lose weight through behavioral methods alone, early intervention with medication could be a more effective strategy.
Breaking Traditional Weight-Loss Timelines
Current medical guidelines advise individuals to attempt lifestyle interventions—such as increased physical activity and a calorie-restricted diet—for at least six months before considering medication. These behavioral therapy programs are often led by trained professionals who help patients set realistic health and weight goals.
However, researchers highlight that nearly half of those who participate in behavioral therapy alone fail to achieve clinically meaningful weight loss.
“Surprisingly little is known about how to help patients who struggle to lose weight despite frequent lifestyle counseling,” said Dr. Jena Shaw Tronieri, the study’s first author. “Some experts have suggested adding an anti-obesity medication as the next step, but until now, no studies have tested whether this approach actually improves weight loss outcomes.”
The Study: Testing Early Medication Use
The study examined individuals who had lost less than 2% of their initial body weight after four weeks of weekly behavioral therapy. Participants were then required to continue the program for an additional 24 weeks but were randomly assigned either the anti-obesity medication phentermine hydrochloride (15.0 mg per day) or a placebo.
The results were significant:
- Participants taking phentermine lost 5.9% of their starting weight
- Those in the placebo group lost just 2.8%
These findings strongly support the early introduction of anti-obesity medications for individuals who struggle with initial weight loss.
Early Intervention Could Improve Patient Outcomes
“Our results suggest that medication can be introduced early in treatment, rather than waiting until a patient completes a full six-month program,” Dr. Tronieri added. “This is crucial because patients who don’t see early results are more likely to become discouraged and discontinue treatment altogether.”
Professor Thomas A. Wadden, a co-author of the study, noted that using newer medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide could further enhance results.
“If early non-responders took one of the newer approved medications, it’s likely they could easily double or triple their weight loss compared to phentermine,” Wadden said. “Further research is needed to confirm this hypothesis.”
These findings could have significant implications for weight-loss treatment guidelines, potentially reshaping how and when medical professionals introduce anti-obesity medications to patients struggling with obesity.
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