Beyond the Buzz: The Time-Tested Weight Loss Tools That Still Work

GLP-1s Are Powerful… But They Aren’t the Whole Story

• Can’t tolerate GLP-1s
• Have contraindications
• Experience side effects
• Hit a plateau
• Need combination therapy
• Want a more affordable option

Let’s revisit the time-tested medications that remain valuable today.

Phentermine: The Classic That Actually Works

• Decrease appetite
• Improve motivation and drive
• Increase daily movement and energy
• Provide early momentum for lifestyle change

It is especially helpful for individuals with executive dysfunction, stress eating, or ADHD tendencies.

Topiramate (and Qsymia): A Solution for Cravings and Compulsion

• Reduction in cravings
• Control of evening overeating
• Decreased food noise
• Support during stressful eating periods

It’s particularly useful for individuals with compulsive eating patterns or strong nighttime hunger.

Bupropion/Naltrexone (Contrave): Targeting the Reward Pathway

• Emotional eating
• Stress-triggered overeating
• Habitual snacking
• Eating for comfort or stimulation

It is one of the best options for “brain-based” hunger.

Metformin: The Quiet Supporter of Insulin Health

Metformin remains a foundational tool for metabolic health. It helps:

1. Improve insulin sensitivity
2. Reduce visceral fat
3. Support weight maintenance
4. Improve PCOS-related symptoms
5. Reduce inflammation markers

It works especially well for individuals with insulin resistance or prediabetes.

Why Combination Therapy Works So Well

Most patients with significant weight to lose will eventually hit a plateau—even on GLP-1s. This doesn’t mean the medication has stopped working.
It means the body has adapted.

Combination therapy can help:

1. Overcome metabolic adaptation
2. Reduce cravings as calorie intake naturally drops
3. Improve insulin response
4. Address emotional or stress-related eating
5. Support continued progress at higher weight-loss volumes

There is an art and a science to combining the right tools at the right time.

The Takeaway

New medications are exciting, but the older agents still serve a crucial role when used:

1. Thoughtfully
2. Safely
3. In combination
4. With expert oversight
5. Tailored to the individual

The best weight-loss plan is rarely a single medication.
It’s the right combination for the right patient at the right stage of their journey.

If you’re curious about which tools might help you break through plateaus or build momentum, a personalized consultation can give you clear options.