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PHILADELPHIA, PA – New research published in Nature Medicine reveals that introducing anti-obesity medication as early as one month into behavioral therapy can dramatically enhance weight loss results for individuals struggling with lifestyle changes alone. This study, conducted by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, challenges the current recommendation of waiting six months before adding medication.
Obesity, affecting over 40% of American adults, poses significant health risks, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. While both behavioral therapy and anti-obesity medications are effective tools for weight management, individual responses vary widely.
The study focused on patients who lost less than 2% of their initial body weight after a month of weekly behavioral therapy, a program involving dietary changes, increased physical activity, and behavioral strategies. These “early non-responders” were randomly assigned to receive either the anti-obesity medication phentermine hydrochloride (15.0 mg daily) or a placebo, while continuing their 24-week behavioral intervention.
“Surprisingly little is known about how to help patients who struggle to lose weight when they are already receiving frequent lifestyle counseling sessions,” said Jena Shaw Tronieri, Ph.D., a Senior Research Investigator at the Center for Weight and Eating Disorders.
The results demonstrated a significant difference in weight loss. Participants taking the placebo lost an average of 2.8% of their starting weight after 24 weeks, while those taking phentermine experienced more than double the weight loss, averaging 5.9%. For example, a 250-pound individual would lose approximately 15 pounds with phentermine, compared to only 7 pounds with behavioral therapy alone.
Meanwhile, those who initially responded well to behavioral therapy, the “early strong responders,” continued without medication and achieved an additional 5.1% weight loss over the same period.
“Our results strongly support the addition of anti-obesity medications for patients who do not achieve meaningful weight loss with behavioral methods alone,” Tronieri stated. “They also suggest that the medication can be introduced early in treatment, rather than waiting until a patient completes a full 6-month program. Early intervention is crucial because patients who don’t see initial results are more likely to become discouraged and discontinue treatment altogether.”
The researchers believe this early intervention approach could provide a valuable framework for healthcare professionals. However, they emphasize that further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of other FDA-approved weight-loss medications in early non-responders.
“If the people who were early non-responders took one of the newer approved medications, like semaglutide or tirzepatide, it’s likely they could easily double or triple their weight loss compared to phentermine,” said study co-author Thomas A. Wadden, Ph.D., a professor of Psychology in Psychiatry. “Additional research is needed to confirm this hypothesis.”
Disclaimer: This news article is based on information from a published study and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any weight loss program or medication. Individual results may vary. Phentermine is a prescription medication and should only be used under the supervision of a physician. The efficacy of other weight loss medications are still being studied.
