Weight Loss Medications
Weight Loss Medication – Potent Pills And Potions?
Pop a Pill, Lose a Pound?
Some medications are designed to promote weight reduction. In recent years you may have read about a weight loss medication called Acomplia (also known as Rimonabant, Bethin, Monaslim, Riobant, Slimona, Riomont, Rimoslim, and Zimulti and more) which operates to reduce appetite. While not approved in the USA, it was approved in Europe and Britain although subsequently withdrawn because of its side effects.
Withdrawal Symptoms
We tell this story to illustrate a point. Overweight patients are desperate for a silver bullet pill. Doctors want to help their overweight patients. Pharmaceutical companies will spend fortunes seeking effective drugs for weight reduction, and may go to market even if their product has more or less severe side-effects. Thus there may be dangers in weight loss medication and an overweight person would be wise not to take any weight loss medication without at least consulting their doctor.
Similarly, some years ago amphetamines were widely used as a weight loss medication but are now banned. Readers may recall a drug called Fenfluramine used as a weight loss medication, taken alone or with phentermine. This combination (fen-phen) was particularly popular in the US. Due to some concerns over possible heart valve damage, Fenfluramine medications were withdrawn in 1997.
In further reinforcement of the point, Tenuate or Tenuate Dospan (diethylpropion hydrochloride), was another medication prescribed to aid weight reduction. It, too, was withdrawn because of its possible side effects, which included psychological dependence, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, nausea, seizures and anxiety.
Phentermine
Branded as Duromine, Phentermine is an appetite suppressant requiring close supervision so that your doctor may wish to assess you every 12 weeks or even more frequently. Duromine is contra-indicated in pregnant women, epileptics, patients with elevated blood pressure or overactive thyroid, drug or alcohol abusers and those with a history of psychiatric disorder. Side-effects may include irregular heart beat, insomnia, anxiety, headache, and uncommonly, hallucination.
Orlistat
Orlistat, (branded Xenical), has been clinically trialled and found effective in promoting weight loss. Once on prescription it is now an over-the-counter option. Its use is recommended for the obese, and for the overweight person with aggravating factors such as diabetes, heart disease and/or high cholesterol. Again it is contra-indicated for pregnant women.
Orlistat operates in the stomach, remaining outside the bloodstream. It acts by reducing the breakdown of fat in the intestines so that the body absorbs about 33% less fat. The fat which is undigested is excreted in the faecal matter. Orlistat is infamous for its unpleasant side effects of oily anal leakage and urgent, oily motions when too much fat is consumed. If these side effects do not persuade patients to restrict fat intake, what will?
Sibutramine
Sibutramine, (branded Reductil), affects the patient’s brain chemistry, so that he or she feels fuller, sooner and less is eaten, while acting against the usual metabolic slowing which occurs when weight is lost. Some people experience elelevated blood pressure and/or an increased heart rate. Other drugs, which act on brain chemistry, are also undergoing trials.
Readers may also have heard that the hormone, leptin, could be incorporated in weight loss medication if clinical trials indicate that it is effective.
Non-prescription/over-the-counter/herbal alternatives
There are uncounted over-the-counter medicines and herbal remedies which may promote weight loss. Our advice is to ask your doctor about any particular concoction you are inclined to try.
Also, we would remind that no silver bullet yet exists. Any weight loss medication will work best in conjunction with more exercise and less calories and/or less fat and/or less carbohydrates.
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