Pills
to Reduce Weight
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Questions About Diet PillsQ. Do prescription diet pills reduce the need for healthy diet and exercise in order to lose weight?No. In order to achieve lasting weight loss, the use of prescription diet pills (diet drugs) should be combined with a healthy program of diet and exercise in order to lose and maintain weight successfully over the long term. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Q. Do I need to see my doctor before buying nonprescription diet pills?Ideally, Yes. Nonprescription diet pills (weight loss supplements) may interact with other over-the-counter medications, and may have side-effects which may impact on you or your medical history. Only your doctor can safely advise you about whether (and/or which) diet pills are appropriate for you and what diet and exercise plan you should follow. Q. When using diet pills do I need to maintain contact with my doctor?Yes. When using weight loss pills (prescription or nonprescription) you should see your physician regularly so that he or she can monitor how you are responding to the medication, not only in terms of weight loss, but how it affects your overall health. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Q. Do over-the-counter diet pills really work?There is evidence that, when used correctly in combination with a program of diet and exercise, weight loss supplements can offer additional benefits. However, in a recent review in a scientific journal many over-the-counter weight loss supplements were reviewed and the evidence for and against their effectiveness in weight loss was presented. Conclusion? There were no weight loss supplements that had any dramatic effects on weight loss. The only supplements that had any effect were capsaicin, caffeine and fiber, but they were only effective if eaten in food. But diet pills are steadily being improved with consequent benefits for both weight loss and health. So this study should not be viewed as definitive. SOURCE: Egger, Cameron-Smith, Stanton, "The effectiveness of popular, non-prescription weight loss supplements", MJA 171, Dec 1999, 604-608 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Q. Do appetite suppressing diet pills work?According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, medications most often used to fight obesity are appetite suppressants, several of which have gained U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. These medications decrease appetite by increasing the availability of serotonin or catecholamine - two brain chemicals that affect mood and appetite. In general, appetite suppressing diet pills lead to an average weight loss of five to 22 pounds above that expected with non-drug obesity treatments. Studies suggest that if you don't lose at least four pounds over four weeks on a particular drug, then that medication is unlikely to help you achieve significant weight loss in the long run. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Q. Are prescription diet pills safe for long term use?Long-term use of prescription diet pills may be helpful for carefully selected individuals, but little information is available on the safety and effectiveness of these medications when used for more than 2 years. Only Orlistat (Xenical) and Sibutramine (Meridia) have been approved for long term use in excess of 12 months. By evaluating your risk of experiencing obesity-related health problems, you and your physician can make an informed choice as to whether medication can be a useful part of your weight-management program. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Q. Who are prescription diet pills designed for?Prescription diet pills are typically appropriate for carefully selected patients who are at significant medical risk because of their obesity. They are not recommended for use by people who are only mildly overweight unless they have health problems that are made worse by their weight. Weight loss drugs should not be used only to improve appearance. Published guidelines for use of obesity medications recommend they be used to treat only medically significant obesity - patients with a 30+ body mass index (BMI) with no obesity-related conditions, or patients with a 27+ BMI with two or more obesity-related conditions. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Q. How will I be evaluated to determine if I am an appropriate candidate for prescription diet pills?Your doctor will consider a number of factors to determine if you are a good candidate for prescription weight-loss medication. He or she will determine how overweight you are, where your body fat is distributed, and may do the following:
Existing Medical Conditions and Weight Loss DrugsWhen discussing diet pills with your doctor, it is important that you notify him/her if you have any of the following medical conditions: - Pregnancy or breast-feeding ------------------------------------------------------------------ Q. What dosage of weight-loss medication is right for me?There is no one correct dose for weight loss medications. Your doctor will decide what works best for you based on his or her evaluation of your medical condition and response to treatment. When taking weight loss drugs or supplements, always follow the dosage instructions. If you accidentally skip doses, do not overdose to compensate. It won't assist weight loss and it may be bad for health. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Q. What type of diet program will be provided along with the medication to help me improve my eating and physical activity habits?Any balanced diet together with 30 minutes of light/moderate daily exercise should be sufficient. Studies show that weight-loss medications work best when combined with a realistic weight-management program that helps you improve your eating and physical activity habits. Ask your doctor any questions or concerns that you may have about good nutrition and physical activity. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Q: Will I regain some weight after I stop taking diet pills?Probably. Most studies show that the majority of patients who stop taking diet pills regain the weight they had lost. Maintaining healthy eating and physical activity habits will increase your likelihood of keeping weight off. Several prescription diet pills are available to treat obesity. In general, these medications are modestly effective, leading to an average weight loss of 5 to 22 pounds above that expected with non-drug obesity treatments. People respond differently to weight-loss medications, and some people experience more weight loss than others. Maximum weight loss usually occurs within 6 months of starting medication treatment. Weight then tends to level off or increase during the remainder of treatment. Studies suggest that if a patient does not lose at least 4 pounds over 4 weeks on a particular medication, then that medication is unlikely to help the patient achieve significant weight loss. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Information About Obesity Drugs and Weight Loss Supplements |
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Reviews of Obesity Medications and Diet SupplementsThis web site provides only general advice on popular weight loss pills and dietary supplements. Under no circumstances should this information be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Before taking any diet or weight loss pills, we recommend that you seek advice from your doctor. Only your doctor can safely advise you about which drugs or supplements are best for you.© 2006. Diet-Pills-Information. All rights reserved. |