Who Can Prescribe Anti-Obesity Medications? (2024)

Obesity medications like Wegovy and Zepbound have become so popular—and lucrative—that many physicians, including psychiatrists, dermatologists, and plastic surgeons, have added them to their practices.

However, obesity medicine specialists say that injections alone are not a proper treatment for the condition.

“Obesity is a chronic disease,” said John Batsis, MD, a clinician, researcher, and associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. “When we think of chronic disease, a fundamental principle is lifestyle [modification], including aerobic and strength training exercise, diet, and behavioral health.”

Batsis said he worries some patients are seeking a quick fix from any provider willing to prescribe one. He emphasizes that weight management drugs should be part of a comprehensive strategy. That’s why it's important to look for a doctor certified in obesity medicine.

What Is an Obesity Medicine Specialist?

About 10,000 doctors are now certified in obesity medicine, according to Lydia Alexander, MD, president-elect of the Obesity Medicine Association. The training requires an exam and 60 hours of continuing medical education classes. Some physician assistants and nurse practitioners are also getting advanced training in obesity care, Alexander said.

Obesity specialists have the most comprehensive training to manage weight. They typically train as physicians in internal medicine, pediatrics, family medicine, or preventive medicine and then pursue an obesity specialty.

If you’re seeking weight management medication and can’t find an available provider with an obesity medicine certification, a provider with internal medicine training is key, such as an endocrinologist. They should have a comprehensive understanding of the body systems medication can impact, and determine if you’re a good candidate.

A holistic approach to weight management is important because some medical conditions preclude the use of GLP-1 receptor agonist medications—the class of drugs that includes several diabetes and anti-obesity injectables. A history of thyroid cancer or pancreas insufficiency may make Ozempic and Wegovy dangerous to use, Batsis said.

Working closely with an obesity specialist allows patients to start at a low dose, discuss side effects and improvement, and adjust the dosage as needed.

“Without those conversations, patients may be on the wrong drug, wrong dose, or even wrong treatment for weight loss,” Batsis said.

Because these drugs are intended for indefinite use, the patient-provider relationship will need to continue beyond the initial prescribing phase, said Susan Yanovski, MD, co-director of the Office of Obesity Research at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

A provider who specializes in internal medicine, if not obesity medicine, is best equipped to monitor long-term changes like muscle loss, depression, or blood pressure decreases and help patients adjust their diets, exercise routines, and other medications.

Telehealth Is a Viable Option for Weight Management Drugs

Batsis said close and consistent communication between patients and providers doesn’t necessarily have to happen in an office setting. He tends to see patients in-person first and continues visits via telehealth after that.

“It can be done virtually, but you need the continuity of the provider,” he said. “You need a relationship with someone.”

If an online provider seems a little too eager to prescribe you a drug, that might be a red flag, said Vin Gupta, MD, chief medical officer at Amazon Pharmacy and an assistant professor of health science metrics at the University of Washington.

“What I would look for [from a provider] is proactive information on how to get healthy, not blatant advertising on how to access the drugs,” Gupta told Verywell. “You want a telehealth provider who is going to lean into holistic health and patient education, and who conveys that the injectable drugs are just one weight loss method. Whatever provider option you choose—telehealth, hybrid, or in-person—you should make sure that you can get multidisciplinary care that focuses on safe prescribing. If you already have a trusted primary care physician, they should be your first stop.”

By Fran Kritz
Kritz is a healthcare reporter with a focus on health policy. She is a former staff writer for Forbes Magazine and U.S. News and World Report.