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Prescription Weight Loss Drugs
Prescription
Medicines
Your doctor will consider a number of factors, including your current
weight, your weight history, your medical history, and the methods you
have used to lose weight in the past, to determine if you are a good
candidate for prescription weight-loss medication.
If you have obesity-related health problems or are at high risk for such
problems, and if you have been unable to lose weight or maintain a
healthier weight using traditional methods, the doctor may decide that a
weight-loss medication is right for you. These medications are not
intended for people who are only mildly overweight. And they are not to be
used only to improve appearance.
Weight-loss medications work by either suppressing your appetite (such as
sibutramine), creating a feeling of fullness (such as phendimetrazine), or
reducing the body's ability to absorb fat from food (such as orlistat).
Other medications used to treat conditions such as depression or diabetes
may have an "off-label" use for weight loss. This means that
while they have not been approved for the treatment of obesity, they may
have a side effect that promotes weight reduction and are prescribed by a
doctor for that purpose. Amphetamine-based products, such as phentermine
and phendimetrazine, are used only for short-term treatment of obesity,
during the first few weeks of a weight-loss program. They should not be
used longer than that because you can develop a tolerance to their
appetite-reducing effects and become dependent on the medication. Talk
with your doctor about the different types of medications available and
which fits best with your medical and personal history. Be sure to ask
about the following:
Effectiveness:
How effective a weight-loss medication will be is difficult to predict
because it depends on how your body responds. Some people lose more than
10 percent of their starting body weight, while others may lose less. Your
doctor may need to adjust the dosage of your medication based on your
medical condition and response to the drug. Most studies of weight-loss
medications show that maximum weight loss usually occurs in the first six
months
Side
Effects: While most side effects reported are mild, a serious heart
problem was linked to two popular medications (fenfluramine and
dexfenfluramine) that have since been withdrawn from the market. Side
effects will vary depending on the medication and may include
restlessness, insomnia, dizziness, dry mouth, diarrhea, constipation, and
elevated blood pressure. Side effects often decrease with continued
treatment.
Post-Treatment Experiences: Many
people are concerned that they will regain weight after stopping a
weight-loss medication. Although this is certainly possible, maintaining
healthy eating and physical activity habits will increase your chances of
keeping the weight off.
ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE EMAIL THE MODERATORS
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