APhA Patient-Centered Diabetes Care Practice Exam 2025 - Free Diabetes Care Practice Questions and Study Guide

The most appropriate action is to discontinue treatment by gradually tapering the medication, taking a dose every other day for at least 1 week. The rationale behind this is based on the response criteria for weight-loss medications. Specifically, if a patient has not achieved at least a 5% reduction in baseline body weight after 12 weeks of treatment, it typically indicates that the current regimen is not effective for that individual.

Gradually tapering the medication helps to prevent potential withdrawal symptoms or side effects associated with abrupt discontinuation. It is essential to manage the patient's treatment carefully to minimize discomfort and monitor any adverse reactions during the transition off the medication.

Continuing the treatment as is would not be beneficial for the patient since there has been no significant weight loss or response to the therapy. Increasing the dosage immediately is not advisable either without evidence of efficacy, as it could lead to increased side effects without guaranteeing better outcomes. Switching to a different weight-loss medication, while an option, may not be the most appropriate immediate action compared to safely discontinuing the current ineffective therapy. Prior to making such a decision, assessing the patient's overall health and adherence to the treatment regimen is also important.