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David Landy's avatar

Don’t forget the side effect profile (including loss of lean muscle) of these drugs aswell as the quick weight regain after they are lapsed. People generally don’t want to be on a powerful drug for their entire lives.

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Kirsten RG's avatar

The exact same side effects occur from dieting. Quit fear mongering

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Jeff Levin-Scherz, MD MBA FACP's avatar

Thanks for your response!

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Jeff Levin-Scherz, MD MBA FACP's avatar

As Kirsten RG notes below, weight loss leads to lean muscle mass whether through a drug or through diet. For many metabolic diseases, we accept potential lifelong treatment if the underlying problem remains. For instance, I expect to be on blood pressure and cholesterol medicines for the rest of my life because these drugs treat my underlying hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. My blood pressure and cholesterol would rapidly increase if I stopped these medications. The difference is that these drugs cost a few dollars a month.

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David Landy's avatar

It depends on the diet. A keto or higher protein diet will lead to weight loss without much lean muscle mass loss, if any.

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