Medical Treatment Of Obesity

Information For Patients

Medical treatment of obesity helps control appetite and supports sustainable changes in diet and physical activity. Prescription medications are prescribed by a doctor and used alongside lifestyle modifications.

The information on this page is general in nature and does not replace a consultation with a doctor.

Who May Benefit From Medical Support?

Medical treatment in adults is typically considered:

for BMI > 30, if there are no significant limiting conditions

for BMI ~25–29, if weight loss helps to improve or manage an obesity-related condition

If a patient is already eating "too little", prescribing appetite-suppressing medication is not safe. It is important to maintain adequate intake of energy, nutrients, and vitamins.

What Medications Can Do, And What They Can’t

Medications can often help to:

reduce constant thoughts about food and the feeling of loss of control

manage large portions, snacking, and "strong hunger"

establish eating and activity routines that you can maintain

It’s important to understand: medications do not replace physical activity, sleep, or work on eating behaviours – they help make these changes achievable.

Overview Of Medications: Active Substances And Brand Names

According to Duodecim Terveyskirjasto, six medications for the treatment of obesity are available in pharmacies in Finland in 2025.

Five of them primarily reduce appetite (tablets or injections), and one reduces the absorption of dietary fat.

Below is a general guide for patients (not a recommendation or a ranking). The choice of treatment is always made individually by a doctor.

1. Naltrexone + bupropion

Example brand name: Mysimba

Mechanism: reduces appetite

Possible side effects: nausea, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth, sleep disturbances, dizziness/tremor; blood pressure and heart rate may increase – monitoring is important.

Mahdolliset haittavaikutukset: pahoinvointi, oksentelu, ummetus, suun kuivuminen, unihäiriöt, huimaus/tärinä; verenpaine ja syke voivat nousta – seuranta on tärkeää.

2. Liraglutide

Example brand name: Saxenda (for obesity)

Related medication for type 2 diabetes: Victoza

Form: injections (usually daily)

Mechanism: a GLP-1 analogue that reduces appetite and affects blood sugar levels

Possible side effects: mainly gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, heartburn, diarrhoea/constipation, abdominal pain, etc.)

3. Semaglutide

Example brand name for obesity: Wegovy

Semaglutide for type 2 diabetes: Ozempic (injection) and Rybelsus (tablets)

Form: injections (usually once a week)

Mechanism: a GLP-1 analogue that reduces appetite and affects blood sugar levels

Possible side effects: most commonly gastrointestinal symptoms

4. Tirzepatide

Example brand name: Mounjaro

Form: injections (usually once a week)

Mechanism: a medication that mimics the action of two hormones (GLP-1 and GIP), reducing appetite and affecting blood sugar levels

Possible side effects: most commonly gastrointestinal symptoms; when combined with certain diabetes medications, episodes of low blood sugar may occur

5. Phentermine + topiramate

Example brand name: Qsiva

Form: tablets

Mechanism: reduces appetite

Important warnings: there are restrictions related to pregnancy/contraception, and the medication is not recommended in certain conditions (e.g. some psychiatric disorders, cardiovascular diseases).

6. Orlistat

Examples of brand names/forms: Orlistat Sandoz 60 mg (over-the-counter), Orlistat Stada 120 mg (prescription)

Form: tablets

Mechanism: reduces the absorption of dietary fat (by inhibiting lipase)

Practical considerations: side effects often depend on the fat content of meals (oily stools, urgency, etc.), so a lower-fat diet is recommended.

Drug interactions are also possible (e.g. with thyroid medications and others). This should always be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist.

Monitoring Effectiveness: When to Adjust The Approach

According to Duodecim, treatment outcomes are evaluated after a few weeks, and the treatment is considered effective if weight loss reaches at least 5% within 3–4 months.

If the medication is not effective or causes significant side effects, it should be discontinued and the treatment strategy reassessed during a medical consultation.

Obesity Is a Chronic Condition: Maintenance Treatment Matters

Even with a good response, treatment is often long-term, as weight commonly returns after discontinuation of medication.

According to an expert from HUS cited by Yle, obesity should be viewed as a chronic condition (similar to hypertension or diabetes), and for most people, weight increases again after treatment ends; therefore, maintenance treatment may be long-term.

→ Learn more about the weight loss program

Sources:

This patient information article is based on materials from Finnish providers, including Duodecim Terveyskirjasto, Yle, Terveystalo, Mehiläinen, and others.

The article has been reviewed by general practitioner and occupational healthcare physician Valeria Dansson.