A survey conducted in 2010 by the Foundation of Food and Health reported that 70 percent of Americans are concerned about their weight and 77 percent are struggling to lose weight or maintain their weight. Those numbers have increased even more over the last several years, along with the growing awareness of the dangerous consequences obesity can have. Being overweight can greatly increase your chances of suffering from the following:
• Coronary heart disease
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Stroke
• Liver and gallbladder disease
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Certain cancers
• Sleep apnea
• Certain gynecological conditions such as infertility
More people are asking questions, more people want to make a change. But some just feel stuck. And with so many causes of obesity, permanent weight loss can be difficult for some to achieve with diet and exercise alone. If long-term weight loss does not come naturally, you might consider weight loss medication. There are many safe medicinal weight loss options that have been rigorously tested and approved by the FDA in recent years. And if supervised by a doctor and health care team, prescription weight loss medication might be a great option. Be sure to tell your doctor about any health condition you have and all medications you are taking, as that could change the type of medication that is suggested for you. Also, it is very important to follow exact directions when taking these weight loss medications, as you could experience undesirable consequences if taken carelessly.
The majority of FDA-approved weight loss medications are also DEA (United States Drug Enforcement Administration) regulated and have been shown to bring positive weight loss results when used appropriately. We will discuss four of the most common weight loss medications:
• Phentermine
• Qsymia
• Belviq
• Orlistat
Phentermine
Phentermine acts to suppress your appetite. It is recommended for short-term use and to be used with a doctor approved exercise, behavior change and healthy diet plan. Phentermine can assist weight loss and can also improve obesity related health conditions such as: heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Qsymia
Qsymia contains a combination of phentermine and topiramate in an extended-release capsule. As we know, phentermine is an appetite suppressant. Topiramate is a seizure medication, which combined with phentermine, aids with suppressing the appetite. Qsymia is also used with diet and exercise to treat obesity and can also help with diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure.
Belviq
Belviq interacts with chemicals in the brain that control appetite. It is also recommended to be used short term along with diet and exercise, and is used to combat obesity. It has also been known to help with diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.
Orlistat
Orlistat is used to actually block some of the fat that is being absorbed by the body. It is effective, alongside a healthy low-calorie diet, to aid in weight loss or help prevent the regain of weight already lost.
As with all medications, there are also potential side effects. Some side effects of taking Phentermine, Qsymia, and Belqiv could be: dry mouth, dizziness, difficulty sleeping, irritability, chest pain, numbness or tingling in arms or legs, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. And some side effects of taking Orlistat could be oily or fatty stools, orange or brown colored stools, gas and oily discharge, loose stools or even inability to control bowel movements, stomach or rectal pain, and diarrhea. If you experience any of these ongoing symptoms associated with any of these medications, contact your doctor. Sometimes these side effects will go away on there own after your body adapts, but your doctor will know if the benefits will outweigh the risk in your particular situation.
There are few, more severe side effects that if you encounter you should stop taking the medication immediately and contact your doctor: irregular heartbeat, mental changes, hallucinations, severe headaches, slurred speech, seizure, weakness on one side of the body, low blood sugar, signs of kidney stones, swelling in hands or feet, changes in breast for women or penile function in men, flu symptoms, severe lower back pain, blood in urine, or vision change. These side effects are very rare but you should be aware of them before starting any medication.
These side effects have been combined for this article, but before taking any of these medications you should thoroughly discuss all potential side effects for the specific medication you will be taking. If you are pregnant, you should not consider any of these weight loss medications.
Weight Loss Mediations are not for all, but has been very effective for some. You should not pursue weight loss medications online or from any unknown vendor. Regularly talk with your health care provider and allow a support team to travel this journey with you. This is about your health and the longevity of your life!
Series:
Introduction: The 4 proven ways to lose weight
#2 Medicinal Weight Loss
#3 Non Surgical Devices / Gastric Balloons
