When diet and exercise are not helping a man lose weight, a doctor may recommend trying weight-loss drugs to achieve results. If you start taking weight-loss pills, you must continue to reduce calories and exercise for optimal results. The best weight-loss pills will be backed by the FDA and have proved to produce weight loss in men.
History
Before your doctor will suggest weight-loss medications, you need to be considered overweight or obese. Prescription weight-loss drugs are approved for men with a body mass index (BMI) above 30. If you have a BMI of 27 or higher accompanied by a medical problem, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, your doctor may recommend you take weight-loss medications .
Prescription Drugs
The FDA has approved the following weight-loss medications for men: phentermine, diethylpropin, phendimetrazine and orlistat. Phentermine, diethylpropin and phendimetrazine are appetite suppressants prescribed for short-term use in adults, up to 12 weeks. Orlistat is classified as a lipase inhibitor and can be used for up to one year for weight loss. According to the Weight Control Information Network, a part of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, weight-loss medications lead to an average weight loss of 10 pounds more than non-drug obesity treatments over the course of six months.
Over-the-Counter Pills
Alli is the only FDA-approved weight-loss pill available over the counter. The drug contains 60 mg of orlistat, half the amount of the prescription version. You must not eat more than 15 g of fat at each meal when taking Alli to lose weight. About 25 percent of the fat from food is blocked by Alli and passed through bowel movements. Side effects of Alli include oily spotting, bowel urgency and gas pains.
Diet and Exercise
Diet drugs are much more effective if you follow your doctor's diet and exercise recommendations. According to a December 2004 study performed by the Centers for Disease Control, individuals who consumed fewer calories and increased physical activity lost more than 10 percent of their pre-treatment weight with the use of prescription weight-loss medications. However, only 26.7 percent of users reported following the diet and exercise recommendations.
Member Comments