Even if you reduce your food intake or start exercising for weight management,
some people worry because their weight does not decrease as much as expected.
At first, they try to change their lifestyle habits,
but if the weight comes back or management becomes difficult, they may look for other options.
As interest in obesity treatments such as Wegovy and Maunjaro has increased,
more people are also curious about the prescription criteria.
Obesity medications are not drugs that anyone can use simply because they want to lose weight.
Let's look at the prescription criteria for weight management with Wegovy and Maunjaro, and what should be checked before treatment.
Wegovy and Maunjaro: Are they prescribed based only on weight? |
When looking into obesity medications, the first thing to check is not only current weight, but also the degree of obesity considered together with height and weight. The indicator used here is body mass index (BMI).
BMI is a number that shows how much weight a person has relative to their height, and is calculated as follows.
BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m) ÷ height (m)
For example, if someone is 160 cm tall and weighs 70 kg, their BMI is about 27.3.
However, even with the same BMI, each person's health status can differ.
This is because treatment plans can also vary depending on whether there are issues with blood pressure or blood sugar, or whether there are diseases related to weight.
Therefore, when considering a prescription for an obesity treatment, it is important to look at overall health status rather than just a single body weight number.
What are the prescription criteria for Wegovy and Maunjaro? |
According to the approved indications in Korea, the criteria for use in adult weight management are as follows.
① Patients with obesity and a BMI of 30 or higher
② Patients with a BMI of 27 or higher but under 30, and at least one weight-related comorbidity
Here, comorbidity refers to a health condition that can occur together with obesity.
Common examples include high blood pressure, abnormal blood sugar, dyslipidemia (hyperlipidemia), and sleep apnea.
For example, if the BMI is 28, that does not mean a person automatically qualifies for medication simply because they are heavier. It is also necessary to check whether there are weight-related comorbidities.
Conversely, even if the BMI is 30 or higher, whether a prescription is appropriate may vary depending on the person's current health status and precautions related to medication use.
The important point is that meeting the prescription criteria does not necessarily mean medication is always needed or that a prescription is always possible.
Also, the criteria above apply to general adult weight management, and different approved indications or age-based criteria for each product should be checked separately.
If the BMI is low, can obesity medication still be used? |
The desire to lose weight and the medical need for medication treatment can be different things. For example, some people may have a normal weight but worry about localized fat or body shape. However, that alone is not enough to determine that Wegovy or Maunjaro is appropriate.
Using medication to lose a few kg in a short period or for cosmetic changes should be approached with caution. Obesity medications are prescription drugs, and side effects can occur during use. In addition, the obesity diagnosis criteria commonly used in Korea and the approved use criteria for individual medicines should be understood separately.
Being diagnosed with obesity does not mean you meet the approved criteria for all obesity medications.
If medication is not appropriate, you can review lifestyle habits such as eating patterns, physical activity, and sleep, and consider a weight management method suited to your personal condition.
Even if you meet the prescription criteria, there are things to check |
Even if you meet the BMI and comorbidity criteria, medication treatment does not start immediately.
During the consultation, your current health status, past medical history, and medications you are taking should all be checked.
The following points are important.
Whether you currently have diabetes or another chronic disease
Whether you have had pancreatitis or gallbladder disease in the past
Whether you usually have severe digestive symptoms
Whether you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
Whether you are currently taking any medications
Because contraindications and precautions differ by product, accurate confirmation is necessary. Also, Wegovy and Maunjaro differ in active ingredients and approved indications, so individuals should not choose or switch medications on their own.
Before starting medication treatment, it is necessary to confirm not only the prescription criteria but also whether the medicine can be used safely.
WEgovy · Maunjaro: Side effects should also be kept in mind |
Wegovy
Maunjaro
Wegovy and Maunjaro are medications that help with weight management by affecting appetite and satiety. However, not all patients will have the same response.
Symptoms that may occur relatively commonly during use include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal discomfort. The severity and duration of these symptoms can vary from person to person.
In rare cases, adverse reactions that require attention, such as acute pancreatitis or gallbladder-related problems, may occur. If you develop severe, persistent abdominal pain or repeated vomiting, do not assume it is just indigestion and seek medical attention promptly. Also, avoid increasing the dose or changing the injection interval on your own simply because weight is not decreasing as expected.
Obesity medications should be used while monitoring not only weight changes but also the response to the drug and any adverse reactions.
If you start medication treatment, are diet and exercise no longer needed? |
Obesity medications are one way to support weight management, but medication alone does not solve every weight management problem.
Even if your food intake decreases while taking medication, it is important to get enough of the nutrients you need. In addition, combining physical activity and strength training within a manageable range may be helpful. This is because as weight decreases, not only fat but also muscle mass can change.
Since weight may increase again after stopping medication, it is necessary to consider a long-term management plan as well.
In obesity treatment, it is important not only how much weight is lost in the short term, but also whether healthy lifestyle habits can be maintained.
As interest in Wegovy and Maunjaro has grown, more people are curious about the prescription criteria.
However, obesity medications are not drugs chosen simply because someone weighs a lot or wants rapid weight loss. Current BMI, weight-related comorbidities, past medical history, and medications being taken must all be reviewed comprehensively.
Also, even if the prescription criteria are met, medication treatment is not suitable for every patient.
If you are worried about weight management, it may be better to first check your current health status and look for a management method that suits you, rather than deciding whether to use a specific medication first.
