Weight
Loss Medication -
why the doctors are hesitant
Weight loss drugs are never a doctor’s first approach to the
problem of obesity. It should not be. But evidently it does not seem to
be fifth, sixth or seventh either. Many doctors will prefer sending you
to a dietician or exercise physiologist rather than try and include
some weight loss medication in your weight loss plan. And this for a
good reason.
Phentermine Weight Loss
- how it works
Phentermine is the most commonly prescribed appetite suppressant
accounting for over 50% weight loss prescription in the U.S. The use of
such weight loss drugs in resistant and morbidly obese individuals is a
strategy that can be used to jumpstart a weight loss plan. But how
exactly does phentermine work?
Sibutramine Weight Loss
- lose that appetite
Sibutramine is marketed as a weight loss pill under the brand name
Meridia® in the U.S and Reductil ® in Europe. It is
chemically
related to amphetamine a widely abused drug called "speed". It is one
of the central nervous stimulants and an approved anorectics or obesity
drugs in the U.S
Orlistat
Weight Loss - lose that fat, literally
Orlistat weight loss is an approved anorectics, but unlike most other
weight loss drug it is not a central nervous system stimulant. On the
contrary, orlistat weight loss acts as a lipase inhibitor that results
to reduced calorie intake by reducing fat absorption in the digestive
tract. It is marketed as a weight loss pill branded Xenical.
Phen-Fen
- the rise and fall
Probably no other diet pill had been raved about like the phen-fen. It
was viewed as a possible panacea to the problem of obesity.
Unfortunately this wonder cocktail of drugs ended up having such severe
side effects that one of the drugs was completely withdrawn from the
market. Here we look at the rise and fall of phen-fen
Phen-Pro
- Another weight loss cocktail
The use of two drugs has previously proven to be very effective for
losing weight. But they have also proven to every dangerous. The
question then is will phen-pro prove to be different. The phen-pro
cocktail is a proposition by Dr Michael Anchors author of the title
‘Safer than Phen-Fen’
Ephedrine
Weight Loss - it is a misnomer
Because ephedrine is a derivative of Ephedra Sinica there is a
misconception that there is an ephedrine anorectic. But basically what
ephedrine is used for in the medicinal circles has been decongestants.
Ephedra was a widely used Chinese herb that was banned because of
posing health risks in diet supplements.
Fenfluramine
Weight Loss - withdrawn from the market
An off the label co-administration of two central nervous stimulants,
led to the withdrawal of fenfluramine a long time diet drug.
Fenfluramine was the Fen end of the then famous but now infamous
Phen-Fen. Even before the cocktail, Fen was not exactly very successful
in treating obesity.
Bupropion Weight Loss - an
of-label prescription
Bupropion is approved as an anti-depressant drug. However
it’s
side effects includes the loss of weight. Keeping in mind that just
like bupropion most weight loss drugs are central nervous stimulants
bupropion is at time administered to target weight loss. But how
effective and how safe is bupropion for weight loss?
Diethylpropion
Weight
Loss - prescription drug for obesity
As a central nervous system stimulant diethylpropion increases heart
rate and blood pressure. It is recommended you avoid any tasks that
require alertness like driving, operating machinery etc. The drug is
also noted for its habit forming tendencies. This is the primary reason
the drug should only be used on a short term.
Phendimetrazine
Weight Loss - a brain stimulant
Phendimetrazine is also very similar to other weight loss drugs like
phentermine, benzphetermine and diethylpropion. They are all used as
adjuncts to a weight loss program and never alone. And like a typical
amphetamines, phendimetrazine has habit forming characteristics. One
can easily become dependant on them, consequently the drug is used only
to jump start a weight loss program for the obese
Benzphentermine
Weight Loss - a long-serving drug
Benzphetermine
weight loss should be taken 30 minutes before a meal. If you are
prescribed more than one tablet, your last dose should be 4-6 hours
before bedtime. Due to stimulating effect, it can result to
sleeplessness and ultimately insomnia. Its effects are greatest in the
early weeks of therapy.
Topamax
Weight Loss - the diet pill that was not to be
Topamax weight loss was an anticipated weight loss drug. Topamax in
itself is an anti-convulsant developed by Johnson and Johnson for the
treatment of seizures disorders; mainly epilepsy. Generic names include
Topiramate while brand names include Epitomax. During its clinical
trials it was noticed that some participants lost weight without
trying.
This
content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new information on weight loss becomes
available. The information is intended for
educational purposes only. Please
consult your healthcare provider before beginning
any kind of weight loss program
