Summer BanksWeight-loss drugs
October 23rd 2006 11:15
Weight-loss drugs :
Being moderately overweight can put you at risk for such life-threatening conditions as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, orthopedic problems, gallbladder disease, and sleep apnea. But the risks are even greater if you are seriously or severely overweight (at least 100 pounds overweight or twice your ideal weight). If you are desperate to shed weight to reduce health risks, weight-loss drugs may be an option to consider. But before you decide to take this route, there is much to learn.
Weight loss drugs :
First, talk to your doctor about your interest in using medication to lose weight. The doctor will determine whether you are a good candidate for the medication route and whether prescription medication or an over-the-counter product would be more appropriate. Weight-loss drugs work best when combined with a healthy diet and regular physical activity, and the doctor will help you work out a beneficial eating and activity plan.
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:
Your doctor will determine if weight-loss drugs are right for you.
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.
Being moderately overweight can put you at risk for such life-threatening conditions as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, orthopedic problems, gallbladder disease, and sleep apnea. But the risks are even greater if you are seriously or severely overweight (at least 100 pounds overweight or twice your ideal weight). If you are desperate to shed weight to reduce health risks, weight-loss drugs may be an option to consider. But before you decide to take this route, there is much to learn.
Weight loss drugs :
First, talk to your doctor about your interest in using medication to lose weight. The doctor will determine whether you are a good candidate for the medication route and whether prescription medication or an over-the-counter product would be more appropriate. Weight-loss drugs work best when combined with a healthy diet and regular physical activity, and the doctor will help you work out a beneficial eating and activity plan.
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:
Your doctor will determine if weight-loss drugs are right for you.
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.
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