Various medications are available to help induce weight loss when diet and exercise alone are not effective. Although, on average, weight loss medicines can effectively produce an additional 10 lbs. of weight loss, they are only approved for short-term use and should be used cautiously because of the potential for causing serious health problems. According to the National Institutes of Health, most of the available weight loss medications are appetite suppressants, or anorexiants.
Anorexiant Stimulants
Phentermine is a stimulant used is in diet aids as an appetite suppressant. It works by affecting the central nervous system and is similar to amphetamine, reports Drugs.com. According to the NIH, phentermine is the most commonly prescribed appetite-suppressant in the United States. Examples of some popular diet aids containing phentermine include, Adipex-P, Ionamin, Obenix and Zantryl, among others.
Anorexiant Decongestants
According to Drugs.com, phenylpropanolamine is a common decongestant used in appetite suppressant medications as well as in products for allergies and the common cold. Phenylpropanolamine affects the central nervous system and acts by tightening blood vessels in the body. Examples of the more popular appetite suppressants containing phenylpropanolamine include Acutrim, Control, Dexatrim and Mega-Trim, among others.
Side Effects
Phenylpropanolamine has been shown to raise the risk of hemorrhagic stroke, which results in bleeding into or around the brain, says Drugs.com. This side effect is more common in women, although men can also be affected. Other side effects of phenylpropanolamine include dizziness and drowsiness. Phentermine may affect judgment or responses, may be addicting, and may cause dangerous side effects if used with certain medications such as MAO inhibitor antidepressants, says Drugs.com.
Considerations
Although the risk of hemorrhagic stroke is small, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises not use any medicines that include phenylpropanolamine. Furthermore, phenylpropanolamine and phentermine should not be taken in the presence of elevated blood pressure, heart disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, prostate problems, liver problems or kidney disease, says Drugs.com. However, with careful watch, phentermine may be used in people who have high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol, reports Drugs.com.
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