Prescription diet pills: THE solution?
If you’re having real health problems with your weight, and various diets and programs haven’t worked for you, then prescription weight-loss drugs may be an option to consider. You must understand, however, that these supplements will never exempt you from having to watch what you eat and start moving around a bit.
But before we get to that point, we invite you to read our article to find out whether you need prescription weight-loss drugs, whether you’re allowed to take them and, finally, whether they can really help you solve your weight problems. The answers to these questions may surprise you.
Are you a candidate for prescription weight-loss products?
Weight-loss drugs are generally reserved for people who have failed to lose weight through diet and exercise, and who have health problems because of their weight. They are not for people who want to lose a few kilos for aesthetic reasons.
Your doctor may consider the option of weight-loss drugs if you have failed to lose weight with diet and exercise, and if any of the following criteria apply to you:
- Your body mass index is greater than 30 ;
- Your BMI is over 27 and you have a serious health problem related to obesity, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
Before prescribing a weight-loss medication that you can take safely, your doctor will take into consideration your medical and surgical history, possible side effects and any drug interactions.
Are prescription weight-loss products the most effective?
When combined with a low-calorie diet and regular exercise, prescription weight-loss drugs can achieve weight loss of up to 10% of total body weight over a one-year period. This is usually the goal set by your doctor. Diet and lifestyle condition and complement the action of weight-loss drugs.
Losing 10% of your total body weight may not sound very appealing, but even this “small” loss can improve your health:
- It lowers blood pressure;
- It lowers blood lipid levels;
- It lowers blood sugar levels;
- It increases insulin sensitivity.
It’s important to understand that these drugs may not work for everyone. And since they’re quite powerful, you run the risk of regaining some of the weight you’ve lost when you stop taking them.
So be careful! Before taking weight-loss drugs, be aware that :
Some prescription weight-loss products are “approved” by official authorities, notably the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). But what they don’t tell you is that they’re approved for a specific, usually short-term, use.
In the case of benzphetamine and phendimetrazinethe maximum recommended duration is 12 weeks. These weight-loss drugs are classified as controlled substances, as they have the potential to be used for other purposes. And because of possible side effects, they are not recommended if you have a heart complication, high blood pressure or hyperthyroidism.
The Orlistat molecule, present in the famous Xenical (and in lightened form in Alli), has been approved for long-term use. But after a while, separate cases of liver damage were reported in people taking Xenical.
If you’re told that the cause-effect relationship has not been definitively established, then ask why the manufacturers of Alli and Xenical are now required to state on the package leaflet that you should take care and report signs that indicate liver damage, such as itching, yellow eyes and skin, brown urine…
Prescription weight-loss products containing Lorcaserin caused a great deal of controversy when it was first marketed, as it works in a similar way to fenfluramine, which was banned from the market because it caused heart valve damage in people who took it. While there is no evidence that Lorcaserin has a direct effect on heart valves, it has been shown to increase heart rate.
IN SHORT, VIGILANCE IS CALLED FOR!
What’s the difference between prescription and over-the-counter weight-loss products?
There’s a reason why some are available over the counter, while others require close medical supervision.
Over-the-counter weight-loss products are generally herbal and do not present any major risks. We say generally, because you’re never safe from dangerous substances and scams if you’re not careful what you buy.
On the other hand, weight-loss drugs on prescription are chemical substances specifically designed to act on the associated receptors in your cells. As a result, the risks are higher, which is why medical supervision is absolutely essential.
You’d think they’d be more effective, but they’re not! Prescription weight-loss drugs are designed for people who have failed to lose weight with dieting, but are by no means better than over-the-counter weight-loss supplements, which remain safer and offer many more options and possibilities.
Factors to consider before taking prescription weight-loss drugs
If the criteria we mentioned at the beginning of this article apply to you, then you and your doctor should discuss the possible benefits and likely risks that may arise from taking these weight-loss medications.
Cost is also an important variable to consider. Insurance companies don’t cover weight-loss drugs, and a long course of treatment can be expensive.
We don’t think this is a decision you should make right away. You need to consider all your options before taking prescription weight-loss drugs.
Try to diagnose your problem yourself, here are a few ways to get started:
- Why aren’t you losing weight on a diet? Do you eat fat? Try a natural fat catcher for starters.
- Do you eat a lot? Why not try a safe and affordable appetite suppressant?
- Can’t get moving? Maybe you need an herbal fat burner to help you…
Take the time to inform yourself, and since you’re already on our site, why not start right here and consult all our tests and analyses of slimming products, whether it’s a fat catcher, fat burner or appetite suppressant…
