Mysimba instructions are straightforward. Simply swallow the tablet whole, without crushing or breaking, with water. They’re best taken with or after a meal and not on an empty stomach. If in doubt, refer to the patient information leaflet that comes with the treatment and has all the instructions for its use.

The dosage and regularity of taking Mysimba changes from the beginning of the treatment. In week one, you take one tablet in the morning only, preferably at the same time. In week two, you should take one tablet in the morning and one in the evening. Week three means taking two tablets in the morning and one in the evening. And in week four and onwards, you should take two tablets in the morning and two tablets in the evening.

Simply skip the forgotten dose and carry on taking Mysimba as instructed. Don’t take double the dosage to make up for the missed tablet as this can lead to serious side effects including seizures.

If you’ve taken too much Mysimba you should seek immediate medical attention. Be sure to take the box of Mysimba with you so the hospital can act as quickly as possible should a serious health risk present. Taking the tablets at the same time each day can help you to remember when to take your tablet and prevent you from taking too much by accident.

The most common side effects from Mysimba occur in more than one in ten of patients. They include nausea, constipation and a headache. Up to one in ten patients may also experience tremors, vertigo, insomnia, dry mouth, fatigue, changes in how food tastes, irritability, alopecia, pruritus, tinnitus, sweating and poor concentration.

Severe side effects with Mysimba are rare, occurring in less than one in 1,000 patients, but it’s important to know what they are should they develop. If you experience any of the following you should seek immediate medical attention: suicidal thoughts, seizures, erythema or Stevens Johnson Syndrome (a rare skin condition that can cause severe blisters and bleeding in the eyes, mouth, lips, nose or genitals) and rhabdomyolysis (muscle cramps, pain and weakness).

One of the more serious potential side effects with Mysimba is depression. In serious cases it can lead to suicidal thoughts and severe depression. Although very rare, you should understand the risk and discontinue use if you notice any of these symptoms. You should also inform your prescribing clinician if you’re prone to mental health issues before taking Mysimba.

As with any medication, there’s a small risk of allergic reactions while taking Mysimba. On rare occasions, this can lead to significant health risks. If you notice any of the following, seek immediate medical attention: swollen face, mouth, lips and throat, difficulty breathing and severe hives or rashes.

Despite containing different ingredients, Mysimba and Saxenda work in a similar way, by making you feel more full more quickly. This has an effect on food cravings and can lead to weight loss as a result. Xenical, instead, works by preventing the body from digesting fat, which is eliminated without being fully processed by the body. 

So which is better? That depends on the specific needs and health issues of each person. All medications show positive results for some people in the long term, but it may be a case of some trial and error to see which one suits you best.^[3]

To call exercise and diet an alternative to weight loss medications makes little sense as they should be used alongside those treatments. In fact, without diet and exercise, it’s unlikely the treatments will be successful. Your clinician should be able to provide assistance and advice for the most effective and safest lifestyle changes for you.

Yes, but it’s only available as a last resort. This means when all other options haven’t produced the desired results and when the health risks associated with being obese are high enough to warrant surgery.

There are a few options available, including a gastric band (which is placed around the stomach to make you feel more easily full), a gastric bypass (where the top of the stomach is attached to the small intestine leading to a lower calorie intake) and a sleeve gastrectomy (where part of the stomach is removed so you’re unable to eat as much and will feel fuller when you do).