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Weight loss prescription drugsMost currently available weight loss drugs are FDA approved for short term use, meaning a few weeks. Sibutramine (Meridia) and orlistat (Xenical) are the only prescription weight loss medications approved for longer term use in patients who are significantly obese. However, Their safety and effectiveness have not been established for use beyond 2 years. Weight loss medications lead to an average weight loss of 5 to 22 pounds more than what you might lose with non-drug obesity treatments. Some patients using medication lose more than 10 percent of their starting body weight. Maximum weight loss usually occurs within 6 months of starting medication treatment. Weight then tends to level off or increase during the remainder of treatment. Prescription weight loss drugs should be used only by patients who are at increased medical risk because of their weight. 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. A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy. Lipase Inhibitors Orlistat (Xenical) inhibits the absorption of fat from the intestine. Instead of fat being absorbed into the body, fat is excreted in the stool. Since fat is excreted rather than absorbed, caloric and fat intake is reduced. Quick facts and benefits of using Xenical
Controlled appetite suppressants Most available weight loss drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration are appetite suppressant medications. Appetite suppressant medications promote weight loss by decreasing appetite or increasing the feeling of being full. These medications make you feel less hungry by increasing one or more brain chemicals that affect mood and appetite. Phentermine and sibutramine are the most commonly prescribed appetite suppressants in the U.S. Sympathomimetic appetite suppressants are used in the short term treatment of obesity. Their appetite reducing effect tends to decrease after a few weeks. Because of this, these weight loss drugs are useful only during the first few weeks of a weight loss program. The sympathomimetic appetite suppressants can help you to lose weight while you are learning new ways to eat and to exercise. Noradrenergic Agents/Amphetamines This class of drugs works to suppress the appetite. Amphetamines are not recommended or approved by the FDA for weight loss. Amphetamines have a high potential for abuse. Phenteramine (Adipex-P, Fastin, Ionamin, Zantryl) and Diethylpropion (Tenuate, Tenuate Dospan) are also in this class and can be used short term for weight loss.
Noradrenergic/Serotonergic Agent Sirbutamine (Meridia) is the only drug in this class. Sirbutamine is thought to suppress the appetite by increasing the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. It has been approved by the FDA for weight loss and the maintenance of weight loss when combined with a reduced-calorie diet.
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Non-Controlled Weight loss prescription drugs
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