 Popular Weight Loss Drugs This is a review of the most popular weight loss drugs: medication that may help to lose weight in combination with physical activity and an appropriate diet.
Weight loss drugs are prescribed as a component of a weight loss program helping people to lose about 5-10% of their original weight, more than what they might have lost following an exercise program and a diet alone.
Most of the weight loss occurs within the first six months of drug use. Unfortunately, a majority of patients regain the lost weight after discontinuing the medication.
Appetite suppressants
Some of the weight loss drugs suppress appetite by affecting one or more neurotransmitters in the brain that control mood and appetite, simply causing a person to feel less hungry.
Sibutramine is the most popular appetite supressant. It reduces appetite by inhibiting the reuptake of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. On the other side, amphetamines like Phentermine are also a commonly prescribed weight loss medication.
Lipase inhibitors
Orlistat is the most popular anti-obesity drug called lipase inhibitor: it inhibits the pancreatic enzyme lipase thus decreasing the body's absorption of dietary fat. Orlistat is prescribed for overweight and obese patients. Orlistat may also decrease the absorption of vitamins. Therefore, a daily multivitamin supplement should be taken at least two hours before or after orlistat.
Remember that over-the-counter weight loss drugs are no recommended: they have been found to be unsafe and ineffective. |