Medication alongside meals and movement
The quick read on medication and habits
Start with your medication's label and check what it says about how the medicine is meant to be used alongside eating and activity. Then ask the prescriber who knows your history whether it replaces anything, adds to your plan, or fits at all.
Where to look
For general background, see MedlinePlus on obesity and NIDDK's weight management pages. For how a medication for chronic weight management was announced, read the FDA announcement. Check whether your medication's label says how it is meant to be used with other parts of a plan.
Busy weeks
Real life tests a plan. Travel, shift changes and skipped meals all come up. Before they do, ask your prescriber what the plan should look like in those weeks, and what to do after a missed dose.
Before your next prescriber visit
- Find the label directions for your medication.
- Write down how your eating and activity actually look on a normal week.
- Ask your prescriber how your medication fits with them.
- Ask when to schedule a follow-up.
Who decides your plan
What to check on a weight medication's label and what to ask about busy weeks are set out above, and the decision about your plan stays with your prescriber. For another view, see the Obesity Action Coalition.