Confused about the good and the bad drugs for weight loss? Learn about some of the FDA approved weight loss drugs, for a safe and healthy weight loss experience.
Obesity is a major concern in most of us today. Our lives are filled with diets, exercises and supplements for weight loss. While diet forms a primary root to tackle weight loss, exercise and workouts play a secondary role. Most of those keen on losing weight fast also take help of weight loss pills and hunt for the best weight loss drugs. Science and medicine is adding light to the inventions for newer supplements that tackle obesity issues. If you are the one looking for reliable weight loss pills that work, be sure that the drugs that you consume are approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).
The U.S. Food and Drug Authority has released approval for many weight loss drugs for the treatment of obesity and weight loss issues. These medicines are tested through various stages. Even though certain drugs are FDA approved, it is not been fully proved that they are 100% safe. They may have some side effects. Most of them are available by prescription only. And it is recommended that these drugs be taken only under the advice of a medical health expert.
There are two types of weight loss drugs that work: Appetite Suppressants – they majorly work on the brain and increase the level of chemicals, mainly serotonin and catecholamine, that control your mood and appetite. Fat Absorption Inhibitors – they prevent the body from digesting and absorbing the fats that you eat, and then dispose them through bowel movement. Let us understand both the appetite suppressants and fat absorption inhibitors, approved by the FDA.
Alli
There are many OTC pills available for weight loss. This is the first FDA approved OTC diet pill, and is among the new weight loss drugs introduced. Actually, it is the drug Orlistat, marketed under the name of Alli and Xenical over the counter. This is about half the strength of the weight loss drug Xenical. It is advised only for adults (18 years and above), along with a low fat diet. It works by reducing the body’s ability to absorb fats in the intestines. Since these fats cannot be digested, they are stored as waste, and flushed out with bowel movement.
Xenical
This diet pill was approved by the FDA in 1999. Xenical is an effective weight loss drug that decreases the absorption of fats by 30%. Xenical works in a different manner than other weight loss drugs. It affects the digestive system directly. It comes with many side effects including flatulence and sudden diarrhea. It is Orlistat that is marketed under the name of Xenical. This drug can be used for a long term for obesity and weight loss treatment.
Meridia
Meridia (also known as Sibutramine) is an appetite suppressant drug. It directly affects the chemicals in the brain that trigger hunger. It was approved by the FDA in 1997. However, there are side effects of Meridia, like headache, dry mouth, insomnia and constipation.
Phentermine
Also known as Apidex-P, it is an appetite suppressant. It is approved only for a short term prescription. They are speed drugs that can lead to dependence and addiction. It is advised only for extremely over weight patients, and does not work after several weeks on obesity. It works with a recommended diet and light exercises. It also has side effects like diarrhea, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat and headaches.
Sanorex
This is a drug that works in two ways. It reduces the appetite and increases the rate of metabolism. This is a strong and stimulative drug that completely suppresses appetite, and is prescribed for a short time only. It has serious side effects like addiction, and can cause seizures and hallucinations. It should be used only with prescription.
Phendimetrazine
Also sold under the brand of Bontril, this drug is prescribed to those people who fail to reduce weight even after exercise and diet. It is a short term prescribed drug and is a strong suppressant of appetite. It is hence not sold on a very large-scale, and also has the potential to develop abuse.
Amfepramone
This drug was once approved by FDA and was used for short term. However, it is not recommended at present. It was recently available under the brand name Tenuate. It was also only a prescription based weight loss drug for obesity.
New Weight Loss Drugs
The above mentioned FDA approved drugs for weight loss are effective in reducing certain body weight. However, they come with not so pleasing side effects. There are many companies in the market that are keen on introducing weight loss medication with less side effects and more effective results. These medicines are in process of approval with the FDA and can be expected to hit the markets some time in the future.
Whatever be your health plan, if it includes weight loss supplements, be sure to check if they are approved by the FDA. Also, strictly use these drugs only after a prescription by a health expert. The key is to use a combination of healthy food and exercise with weight loss supplements. Do not abuse your body with these drugs as they support just temporarily. Your efforts need to build the base.
