Weight Loss Treatments
Weight Loss treatments are big business in the developed world. Everyone is looking for that magic pill that will help them shed pounds and meeting this demand is a host of products which promise to make weight loss easier, quicker, cheaper, more reliable, and less painful.
Meaningful, healthy weight loss often requires long-term treatment. Bear in mind that no treatment is a quick cure-all. There are prescription diet pills on the market that can help weight loss but the use of weight-loss medications should always be combined with physical activity and improved diet to lose and maintain weight successfully over the long term.
Find out more about:
Prescription Medication for Weight Loss
Most available weight-loss medications are "appetite-suppressant" medications. Appetite suppressants promote weight loss by tricking the body into believing that it is not hungry or that it is full. These include: Didrex, Tenuate, Sanorex, Mazanor, Adipex-P, Ionamin, Bontril, Meridia and Acomplia.
Another type of prescription weight loss drug is a fat absorption inhibitor. Xenical one example of this type of treatment and works by blocking about 30% of dietary fat from being absorbed. This unabsorbed fat is then eliminated in bowel movements.
Using prescription drugs to treat obesity should be used as an option for the following individuals:
People with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 and above with no obesity-related conditions.
A person with a BMI of 27 and above with obesity-related conditions.
About Acomplia
Acomplia (rimonabant) is a slimming aid for obese patients or overweight patients with other risk factors such as type 2 diabetes. Acomplia is manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Sanofi Aventis. Rimonabant blocks CB1 receptors and so reduces cravings for food and helps decrease appetite and control hunger. It may also help people to stop smoking, although it has not yet been licensed for this purpose.
Acomplia – EU Approved: Acomplia has been approved for use within the EU and has been available to patients in the UK from June 28th, 2006. However, the drug is not currently available on the NHS (National Health Service) and at the present time is only available on private prescription.
Clinical Studies have shown that 33% of people taking Rimonabant lost 10% of body weight and kept their weight down for two years. It has also been shown to have a beneficial effect on blood glucose and fat levels. Specifically it raises HDL cholesterol levels (the good cholesterol).
Reported side effects of Acomplia include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Disorders of the nervous system, this includes headaches, faintness and feeling dizzy.
- Psychiatric disorders, including mood swings, anxiety, depression, irritability, sleep disorders and other similar disorders. If you already have a history of mental health disorders, it would be highly advisable to mention this to your doctor before obtaining this drug.
Taking Acomplia: The usual dose is one 20mg tablet to be taken once daily in the morning before breakfast. Swallow the tablet whole. You need to start and continue a reduced calorie diet and a physical activity program to get best results. Your doctor should recommend the type of diet and the level of physical activity required, that suits your specific condition and overall health.
About Xenical
Xenical (orlistat) is a prescription weight loss pill manufactured by Roche. Xenical has been approved for use within the UK since 1998. Xenical works in the digestive system to block about one-third of the fat in the food you eat from being digested. Xenical is a popular oral first line treatment for obesity due to is wide suitability, success rate and low side effects.
Clinical Studies: In clinical studies, almost two-thirds of people treated with Xenical plus diet successfully lost at least 5% of their body weight after 2 years. In comparison, only half of the people treated with diet alone managed to lose 5% of their weight.
Weight loss with Xenical and a healthy diet also improves a number of weight-related health risks. Studies show that weight loss with Xenical can decrease total and LDL cholesterol (level of low-density lipoprotein-also known as bad cholesterol), improve ratio of bad to good cholesterol (LDL/HDL cholesterol), reduce blood pressure, levels and reduce the risk or delay the progression to type 2 diabetes in patients
Reported side effects of Xenical include:
- Fatty / oily stool
- Oily spotting
- Intestinal gas with discharge
- Bowel movement urgency
- Poor bowel control
- Headaches may occur
Taking Xenical: The recommended dose is one 120-mg capsule by mouth with liquid at each main meal that contains fat. Take this drug, generally three times daily during (or up to one hour after) each main meal that contains fat. Your daily intake of fat, protein and carbohydrate should be evenly spread over three main meals. If a meal is occasionally missed or contains no fat, skip that dose of the medication. Because this drug can interfere with absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (e.g., A, D, E, K), a daily multivitamin supplement containing these nutrients is recommended. Take the multivitamin at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after this drug (e.g., at bedtime).
About Reductil
Reductil (sibutramine) is an appetite suppressant that is used as a weight control medication. Reductil is an appetite suppressant and works by increasing serotonin levels. The increased serotonin acts in the brain and enhances feelings of fullness so that you eat less. This medicine can help you reduce weight or maintain a lower weight by suppressing your appetite.
Clinical Studies: Studies have shown that, on average, sibutramine plus a weight-reducing diet and exercise causes more weight loss than a weight-reducing diet and exercise alone. Some people lose up to 7% or more of their body weight within 6-12 months with the help of sibutramine. In others, it is less effective. Sibutramine does not make you lose weight. It will only partially suppress your appetite. You still have to continue to eat a healthy weight-reducing diet, and to exercise more if possible.
Reported side effects of Reductil include:
- Insomnia
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Increased blood pressure.
Taking Reductil: Sibutramine comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food once a day. Your doctor may start you on a low dose of sibutramine and increase your dose, after you have been taking sibutramine for at least 4 weeks. Your doctor may decrease your dose if you experience certain side effects while you are taking your starting dose.
