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Medication adjustments


Some medications may require adjustment before or during LighterLife due to the restriction in a patient's calorie and carbohydrate intake on the Total VLCD and the Lite LCD, or your patient’s weight loss.

 

  • Angina medication

    Continue as pre-diet; possibly decrease with weight loss.

 

  • Blood-pressure medication

    Blood pressure can reduce with weight-loss and medication may require regular review and titration.


  • Complementary and alternative therapies

    If you have any concerns about your patient undergoing complementary or alternative therapy (such as homeopathy, herbal supplements/ medication or Chinese medicine) while losing weight on LighterLife, please contact the LighterLife medical department on 01279 636998 ext 3006.

 

  • Diabetic medication

    Overall glycaemic control improves with a VLCD/LCD, due to a reduction in calorie and carbohydrate intake. Research shows that reduction of hypoglycaemic agents should be considered before or at initiation of hte VLCD/LCD leading to possible discontinuation on assessment of blood glucose results. Before starting LighterLife, type 2 diabetics will require a planned programme for medication titration. If you would like any guidance, please contact the LighterLife medical department on 01279 636998 ext 3006. Titration recommendations from secondary care obesity specialist providers who are prescribing VLCD/ LCD intervention for type 2 diabetes can also be downloaded here.

 

  • Diuretic medication

    A low-carbohydrate diet such as Total or Lite initiates an increased diuresis which usually passes after the first week. Your patient may also be drinking more than usual while on LighterLife, as they will be replacing fluids found in conventional food. In combination with diuretic medications, this can potentially disturb electrolyte equilibrium. Diuretic medication may therefore require regular review.

 

  • Orlistat

    LighterLife recommends that Orlistat is discontinued while your patient is participating in LighterLife's weight-loss programmes.

 

  • Steroids

    Continue as pre-diet.

 

  • Thyroid medication

    Very rarely, a patient taking thyroid medication may become symptomatic of hyperthyroidism due to significant weight loss. Medication review may be required.