According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States has become a nation fixated on unhealthy foods, portions that are too large and a lack of physical activity. The increase in obesity during the last decade is a major problem. When weight becomes unmanageable, many turn to doctors and prescription drugs for help. If you need help to lose weight, ask your doctor about the prescription drugs that may help you manage or reduce your weight.
Xenical
Xenical (orlistat) is one of the most widely prescribed weight loss pills for extended periods of use, and is one of only a few pills approved for weight loss by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Xenical works by binding to an enzyme in the digestive tract called lipase. Lipase is responsible for helping the body absorb fat. By binding to lipase, Xenical prevents a substantial percentage of fat from being absorbed by the body. Instead it is passed on into the intestines and excreted in your stool. Xenical is available in non-prescription strength, marketed as the weight-loss pill Alli.
Meridia
Meridia is also a common weight-loss pill prescribed by doctors for overweight patients. It is also approved by the FDA for weight loss. Meridia was originally approved for mental health use as a monoamine re-uptake inhibitor, used to balance the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. The connection was then made that serotonin is also released in the brain after eating, and played a role in the signal used to tell the body it's full. Since meridia helps to keep serotonin from being reabsorbed, the signal of being full is extended over a longer period of time. This helps suppress the appetite.
Phentermin
Phentermin is another prescription medication used for weight loss. Phentermin is currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration as an appetite suppressant. Phentermin works by directly affecting the hypothalmus. By acting on the hypothalmus, the medication manipulates the serotonin levels in the body, which like Meridia, causes the brain signal for being full to last over longer periods of time.
Desoxyn
Desoxyn is another medication used for weight loss, but because of its serious side effects, it is only used for short periods of time, and only for exogenous levels of obesity. Desoxyn is the medical name for methamphetamine. Under the Controlled Substances Act, methamphetamines are classified as schedule II drugs. This means they have some medical uses, but run the risk for abuse and addiction. Desoxyn works as both an appetite suppressant and a stimulant. Its stimulant properties increase your metabolism, which increases the number of calories burned each day.
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