Obesity is a worsening national health problem as, since the 1980s, the number of obese adults has doubled and the number of obese children has tripled across all socioeconomic groups, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Remedies to help resolve the obesity problem include healthy diet, regular exercise and medications. Because medications may cause health problems, you should discuss them thoroughly with your doctor, particularly if you have a body mass index below 30.
Appetite Suppressants
Appetite suppressants are a class of medications called anorectics and are the most common prescription weight-loss products.These medicines work on the central nervous system to create a feeling of fullness and decreased appetite. Phentermine is the most commonly prescribed appetite suppressant, says the Weight-control Information Network. Examples of some brand-name prescription appetite suppressants include Adipex-P, Ionamin and Zantryl.
Lipase Inhibitors
Lipase inhibitors are a class of weight-loss medicines that act to suppress lipase, a protein that splits up fat from foods so they can be used by the body. This results in fewer calories being digested which facilitates weight loss. Orlistat, currently the first and only drug in this category, reduces dietary fat absorption from the intestine by approximately 30 percent. Orlistat is available as the brand-name prescription product Xenical.
Side Effects
Weight-loss medications should only be used when diet and exercise alone cannot produce sufficient weight loss, as these drugs have the potential to cause serious health problems. Some of the common side effects caused by appetite suppressants include elevated blood pressure, increase in heart rate, restlessness, and lightheadedness. Lipase inhibitors can cause stomach pain, gas, oily staining and possible liver damage.
Considerations
The benefits of weight-loss drugs need to be balanced against their potential problems. For example, the possible liver damaging effects of orlistat are being investigated, as of 2010. Report any signs of possible liver injury to your doctor, which include tiredness, fever, yellowing of the skin, or brown discoloration of the urine. Furthermore, as not all health insurance plans cover these medications, so the cost of medication may be a consideration.
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