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Weight loss pills Common sense of weight loss drug prescription drugs for weight loss
Weight loss pills Common sense of weight loss drug prescription drugs for weight loss
Common sense of weight loss drug
| prescription drugs for weight loss |
| Weight loss pill - Common sense of weight loss drug | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Tuesday, 14 October 2008 22:54 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Prescription weight-loss medications should be used only by patients who are at increased medical risk because of their weight. They should not be used for “cosmetic” weight loss. In addition, patients should have previously tried to lose weight through diet and physical activity. Obesity often requires long-term treatment to promote and sustain weight loss. As in other chronic conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, use of prescription drugs may be appropriate for some people. While most side effects of prescription weight loss drugs are mild, serious complications have been reported (see below.) Keep in mind that these drugs are not a cure-all for obesity. The use of weight loss drugs should be combined with physical activity and improved diet to lose and maintain weight successfully over the long term. Drug safety: Still largely unknown If you're among those who can benefit from a weight-loss drug, you'll likely need to take it indefinitely. When you stop drug treatment, however, much or all of the lost weight generally returns. The dilemma with taking the drugs indefinitely is that the most common weight-loss drugs are so new that possible long-term effects are unknown. Sibutramine can cause a small increase in blood pressure that, for some people, may warrant discontinuing the drug. This drug isn't recommended for people with uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heartbeat or a history of stroke. Orlistat decreases the absorption of certain fat-soluble vitamins — for example, vitamins A, D and E. If you're taking this drug, your doctor will recommend that you take a daily vitamin supplement to prevent potential nutrient deficiencies. Prescription weight-loss medications should be used only by patients who are at increased medical risk because of their weight. They should not be used for "cosmetic" weight loss. Prescription weight-loss drugs are approved only for those with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 and above, or 27 and above if they have obesity-related conditions, such as high blood pressure, dyslipidemia (abnormal amounts of fat in the blood), or type 2 diabetes. BMI is a measure of weight in relation to height. A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy. Although most side effects of prescription medications for obesity are mild, serious complications have been reported. Also, there are few studies lasting more than 2 years evaluating the safety or effectiveness of weight-loss medications. Weight-loss medications should always be combined with a program of healthy eating and regular physical activity. The information in this fact sheet may help you decide if and what kind of weight-loss medication may help you in your efforts to reach and stay at a healthy weight. It does not replace medical advice from your doctor. Weight-loss medications should always be combined with a program of healthy eating and regular physical activity. Commonly Asked Questions About Weight-Loss Medications Because obesity is a chronic disease, any treatment, whether drug or non-drug, may need to be continued for years, and perhaps a lifetime, to improve health and maintain a healthy weight. Q: What medical conditions or medications might influence my decision to take a weight-loss drug? A: Let your doctor know if you have any of the following medical conditions, which may affect which weight-loss drugs you can take, if any: * Pregnancy or breast-feeding * History of drug or alcohol abuse * History of anorexia or bulimia * History of depression or manic depressive disorder * Use of monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors or antidepressant medications * Migraine headaches requiring medication * Glaucoma * Diabetes * Heart disease or heart condition, such as an irregular heart beat * High blood pressure * Plan to have surgery that requires general anesthesia. Q: How long will I need to take weight-loss medications to treat obesity? A: The answer depends upon whether the medication helps you to lose and maintain weight and whether you have any side effects. Because obesity is a chronic disease, any treatment, whether drug or non-drug, may need to be continued for years, and perhaps a lifetime, to improve health and maintain a healthy weight. However, like many other types of drugs, there is still little information on how safe and effective weight-loss medications are for many years of use. At least one study has shown that intermittent use (one month on medication and one month off medication) may help some people lose and maintain weight, but more research is needed. Q: Will I regain some weight after I stop taking weight-loss medications? A: Probably. Most studies show that the majority of patients who stop taking weight-loss medications regain the weight they lost. Maintaining healthy eating and physical activity habits may help you regain less weight. Q: Can children or teens use weight-loss medications? A: Orlistat is currently approved for use in teens age 12 or above. Other weight-loss medications are not approved for use in children under the age of 16, although studies in children and teens are ongoing. Q: Will insurance cover the cost of weight-loss medication? A: Many insurance companies currently will not pay for weight-loss prescriptions, but this is changing as insurers begin to recognize obesity as a chronic disease. Contact your insurance company to find out if prescription weight-loss medication is covered under your plan. The cost of one month of a prescription can cost about 60 dollars a month to more than twice this amount. Ask a staff member at your pharmacy the cost of a 1-month supply of the medication you are considering taking. Most patients should not expect to reach an “ideal” body weight using currently available medications. However, even a modest weight loss of 5 to 10 percent of your starting body weight can improve your health. Together, you and your doctor can make an informed choice as to whether medication can be a useful part of your weight-control program. In the prescription drug category, there are basically three choices, Xenical (orlistat), Meridia (sibutramine), and phentermine. 1. Xenical (orlistat) is a fat blocker that prevents fat from being completely absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Prescription strength is 120 milligrams; over-the-counter Alli is the same drug at half strength, or 60 milligrams. Fat blockers reduce fat absorption and, as a result, some people are plagued with oily discharge, fatty stools, gas, and/or inability to control bowel movements. These side effects are the result of the fat not being absorbed by the body. Eating a low-fat diet reduces the risk of potential side effects. But if your diet is already low in fat, you may see less of an impact from the medication, as there is less fat to block. Xenical or Alli is safe for almost anyone because the drug is not absorbed, says Kushner. "I frequently prescribed it to cardiovascular patients because it is so safe," he says. Patients must be willing to stick to a low-fat diet. These drugs have a built-in feedback system. "If you eat a high-fat diet, you will experience the side effects, so to avoid the unpleasant effects, you need to reduce the fat in your diet," says Aronne. Not only do these drugs block fat, they have the potential to block other nutrients. "Take a once-daily multivitamin mineral for nutritional insurance to help compensate for any losses and don't take it at the same time as the medication," says Dawn Jackson-Blatner, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. 2. Meridia (sibutramine) helps reduce hunger by working on the appetite control center in the brain that makes you feel full. "Meridia can help add 5%-10% additive weight loss that you would not get with diet and exercise alone" says Aronne. Kushner prescribes Merida to patients who struggle with cravings and have trouble knowing when to stop eating. Aronne says that younger patients who are at a low risk for heart disease are good candidates. Side effects include dry mouth, constipation, and insomnia. Meridia should not be used by anyone with cardiovascular risk factors. "We recommend regular blood pressure checks for anyone on Merida," says Blatner. 3. Phentermine is generic, the least expensive of the medications, and has been on the market the longest. Once a part of the famed fen-phen combination weight loss drug, Phentermine works to decrease appetite. It is the most widely used weight loss drug. While it's officially approved only as a short-term drug, some doctors use it as long term therapy. "I use phentermine for people with strong appetites. [It] seems to work best on reducing hunger and the number of eating episodes. I also like it because it is generic, and inexpensive for patients who do not have insurance coverage," says Kushner. Side effects may include depression, insomnia, increased blood pressure, irritability, and nervousness. While these are the only medications approved for weight loss, some people also lose weight on prescribed medications used to treat other conditions such as depression, seizures, and diabetes. Insurance coverage of these weight loss medications varies. Some companies will cover them completely, some partially, and some not at all.
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 14 October 2008 22:59 ) |
