Introduction

For many individuals battling obesity or excess weight, traditional methods like diet and exercise often don’t deliver long-lasting results. This is where diet medications come in. These prescription treatments are designed to assist patients in overcoming metabolic challenges, such as slow metabolism, excessive appetite, and hormonal imbalances that can hinder weight loss efforts.

At PlanS Clinic, located in Seoul’s Gangnam district, we understand that weight loss is a highly personal journey. Under the expertise of Dr. Do Geon Gi—renowned in the field of aesthetic laser medicine and obesity management—we provide a personalized approach, offering medically supervised diet medication programs that target fat reduction in a safe and effective manner. With our customized treatment plans, patients not only lose weight but also maintain long-term success.

What Are Diet Medications and How Do They Work?

Diet medications—also known as prescription weight loss drugs—are designed to complement a holistic weight loss strategy. While they are not miracle solutions, these medications provide scientifically proven support by addressing specific issues like hunger control, fat absorption, and metabolic regulation. Some of the main types of diet medications include:

• Appetite Suppressants (e.g., Phentermine, Diethylpropion): These target the central nervous system to help reduce hunger and control cravings. By curbing appetite, patients may find it easier to reduce their calorie intake, making it easier to adhere to a calorie-controlled diet.

• Fat Absorption Inhibitors (e.g., Orlistat): These medications block the absorption of dietary fat in the digestive system. By preventing the breakdown of fat, they reduce the number of calories the body absorbs, which helps patients achieve weight loss, especially when combined with a low-fat diet.

• GLP-1 Receptor Agonists (e.g., Semaglutide): These medications mimic a natural hormone that regulates insulin, appetite, and digestion. GLP-1 agonists have shown significant weight loss effects in clinical studies. They not only help patients feel full longer but also assist in better blood sugar control, making them an excellent choice for those with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

At PlanS Clinic, we take a comprehensive approach by evaluating each patient's medical history, metabolic profile, and body composition before recommending any medication. All prescribed medications are FDA and KFDA-approved, ensuring both safety and effectiveness. We often combine these medications with advanced fat-reduction treatments like the PPE Injection, offering enhanced and sustainable results.

Initial Treatment Duration: What’s Typical?

How long should you stay on diet medications? Most traditional appetite suppressants are prescribed for short-term use, typically lasting about 12 weeks. These medications are intended to help jumpstart weight loss for patients who need early momentum. They are often part of an initial, short-term strategy aimed at helping patients break through barriers to weight loss.

However, medications like GLP-1 receptor agonists, which target appetite regulation and insulin sensitivity, require longer treatment durations, often lasting 6 months to a year or longer, depending on the patient’s health markers and weight loss goals. Research has demonstrated that long-term medication use, when managed under the supervision of a healthcare provider, leads to more consistent and sustainable weight loss outcomes. For instance, patients using Semaglutide have shown up to 15-20% weight loss over a year, particularly when paired with a healthy lifestyle.

At PlanS Clinic, we closely monitor our patients' progress and adjust medication timelines as needed. Regular check-ins ensure that the approach remains tailored to each patient's evolving needs, with an emphasis on safety and effectiveness. Our goal is to provide patients with results they can maintain for life.

Customized Treatment Timelines at PlanS Clinic

There is no universal timeline for diet medication use. At PlanS Clinic, each patient's treatment plan is individualized. During the initial consultation, patients undergo body composition analysis, blood work, and a lifestyle assessment to determine the best course of action. This allows us to develop a treatment roadmap that is both effective and tailored to the patient’s unique health profile.

Our medical team may combine several approaches to achieve sustainable weight loss:

• Short-term appetite suppressants for an initial weight loss boost.

• Long-term metabolic therapies to sustain weight loss and prevent weight regain.

• Complementary treatments like PPE Injections or Triple Body Treatments for targeted fat reduction.

Several factors influence the duration of medication use, including:

• BMI and body fat percentage: Patients with higher BMIs or excessive visceral fat (fat around internal organs) may need a longer duration of medication to achieve safe and effective weight loss.

• Underlying medical conditions: Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or insulin resistance can affect metabolism, making it necessary to incorporate medications that target these specific issues.

• Response to the initial phase of treatment: Patients who respond well to initial treatments may move on to longer-term strategies, while others may require adjustments to achieve their goals.

• Lifestyle factors and adherence to the program: Adherence to prescribed diets and exercise programs plays a crucial role in determining the effectiveness of medication and how long it should be used.

Our personalized approach ensures that each patient's timeline is flexible, focusing on achieving optimal results while maintaining the highest standards of safety.

Factors Affecting Medication Duration

The optimal duration for diet medication varies from person to person. Several key factors influence this timeline, and it's crucial to tailor the medication length to the individual’s health needs and progress. These include:

• Severity of obesity: Patients with higher BMI or visceral fat may require a longer course of treatment. Excess fat, especially abdominal fat, can have a more significant impact on overall health, leading to a longer medication duration for effective results.

• Speed and sustainability of weight loss: Rapid weight loss may prompt a change in medication or dosage. Weight loss should be gradual to ensure that it is sustainable and healthy, avoiding risks such as nutrient deficiencies or muscle loss.

• Medication tolerance: Some patients may experience side effects such as nausea, dry mouth, or insomnia. In these cases, dosage adjustments or switching to a different medication may be necessary.

• Psychological and behavioral factors: Psychological support and behavioral therapy are often part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Some patients may benefit from extended medication use to help address emotional eating and stress-related triggers.

At PlanS Clinic, we assess all these factors to determine a personalized and clinically appropriate medication duration. Our primary goal is to ensure that patients achieve lasting success without the need for indefinite medication use.

FDA and KFDA-Approved Medications: Safety and Effectiveness

A common concern among patients is whether long-term use of diet medications is safe. The good news is that many modern medications—especially GLP-1 receptor agonists like Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy)—are FDA- and KFDA-approved for extended use in obesity management.

These medications have undergone rigorous clinical trials and have been shown to offer sustained weight loss for up to 2 years, particularly when combined with lifestyle modifications. GLP-1 receptor agonists mimic naturally occurring hormones that regulate appetite, insulin secretion, and digestion, making them both safe and effective for long-term use under medical supervision.

Additionally, medications like Orlistat (Alli) and Phentermine are FDA-approved and widely used for short-term weight loss. While these medications are effective for short-term use, they must be used under careful medical supervision to avoid adverse effects such as gastrointestinal issues (with Orlistat) or increased heart rate (with Phentermine).

At PlanS Clinic, we prescribe only FDA and KFDA-approved medications, ensuring that patients receive treatments that meet the highest safety standards. We also provide regular monitoring through lab tests, body scans, and health check-ups to detect any potential complications and make timely adjustments to the treatment plan.

Transitioning Off Diet Medication

Eventually, the question arises: When should you stop taking diet medication? The decision to stop depends on several factors, including whether patients have reached their weight loss goals, maintained a healthy body composition, and achieved metabolic stability. At PlanS Clinic, we ensure that this transition is gradual, preventing any sudden weight regain.

Reasons to stop medication may include:

• Reaching your target weight or body composition goals: Once the patient has achieved sustainable weight loss, it may be time to move into a maintenance phase.

• Hitting a plateau or experiencing diminishing returns: If the medication is no longer producing effective results, we may adjust the treatment plan.

• Side effects that outweigh the benefits: Some patients may experience side effects that make it difficult to continue the medication. In such cases, we provide alternative treatments.

• Moving into a maintenance phase: After achieving significant weight loss, patients can transition to long-term strategies that focus on maintaining their new weight, such as lifestyle coaching, exercise, and non-medication therapies.

Our medical team will carefully reduce the medication dosage and introduce maintenance plans, including nutrition counseling, fitness programs, and aesthetic treatments like the Triple Body Program, to help sustain results.

Post-Medication Care and Long-Term Success

Many patients fear gaining weight after discontinuing medication, but with proper post-medication care, this risk is minimized. At PlanS Clinic, our post-treatment support programs are designed to ensure that the weight loss achieved with diet medications is maintained for the long term.

Post-medication care may include:

• Structured weight maintenance programs that provide personalized meal plans, metabolism-boosting supplements, and continued follow-up visits.

• Behavioral therapy to address emotional eating and stress-related triggers. This therapy helps reinforce healthy habits developed during the treatment phase.

• Ongoing body composition tracking to monitor any changes in body fat and lean mass. Regular check-ins ensure that patients stay on track and maintain a healthy weight.

By incorporating these strategies, PlanS Clinic ensures that patients maintain their weight loss long after stopping diet medications.

Conclusion

The duration of diet medication use is deeply personal and depends on several factors, including your medical history, weight loss progress, and overall health goals. At PlanS Clinic, we specialize in creating tailored treatment plans that ensure safety, effectiveness, and long-term success. With our expert guidance and comprehensive support, you can achieve sustainable weight loss and maintain your results with confidence.