Losing weight is hard and it takes a lifelong commitment to eating healthy and getting regular exercise. There are many weight loss pills on the market that claim to speed weight loss, some of which are not effective or safe. However, there are prescription drugs for weight loss that may be an option for some patients. The first step is to talk with a health care provider about what options are available and which ones are best, based on personal health.
Identification
There are several prescription weight loss medications available including diethylpropion, benzphetamine, phendimetrazine, phentermine, mazindol, sibutramine and orlistat. Some of these medications work by suppressing appetite, while others block absorption of some of the fat that is eaten at a meal. The goal of these medications is to reduce the amount of calories consumed. Prescription medications are not designed for those who need to lose a small amount of weight. They are reserved for obese individuals with a body mass index of 30 or higher or those who weigh 20 percent or more over the recommended weight for their height and body type, states the American Academy of Family Physicians. Individuals who do not meet the above criteria but have a high risk of disease due to being overweight may also be candidates. A physician can review your health and risk factors to help you determine whether a weight loss medication is the right choice.
Considerations
Weight loss medications should only be used when diet and exercise have failed, though weight loss pills should not take the place of healthy eating and regular physical activity. Prescription weight loss pills are only meant to be used for a few weeks to jump start weight loss, reports the Weight Control Information Network. While taking these medications it is still necessary to cut back on calorie intake and establish regular exercise habits. In addition, for weight loss to be successful long term, it is necessary to identify the underlying condition, behavior or emotion that led to the weight gain.
Benefits
MayoClinic.com suggests that prescription weight loss pills can lead to losing five to ten percent of current body weight within a one-year period. This amount is not that much higher than is achieved with diet and exercise alone and these results were only seen when the medication was combined with cutting back on calorie intake and exercise. However, losing just five to ten percent of current weight can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer. It is important to develop good habits that will last for a lifetime, because if the weight that is lost is regained when stopping the medications, the risk for disease comes back with it.
Side Effects
Even when taken as directed, prescription weight loss pills can cause unpleasant and dangerous side effects. This includes increased heart rate and blood pressure, dizziness, diarrhea, stomach cramps, gas, oily bowel movements, nervousness, trouble sleeping and others. For some, the symptoms are mild and improve as the body adjusts to the medication. For others, the side effects are so severe that the medication needs to be discontinued.
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