Potential Benefits of Weight Loss Medication Treatment

When the obese are able to lose weight over a short term period, there is a reduced risk of various health dangers. Research has examined the effect of treatment with weight loss drugs on health risks related to obesity and findings show that some of these drugs can help normalize blood pressure, triglycerides, cholesterol and decrease the body’s resistance to insulin. There are more studies needed over a long term period before it can be stated that the loss of excess weight via these medications actually do lead to better health in the long run.

There are possible risks that should be taken into consideration before using any kind of weight loss drug. They are as follows:

Possibility for Addiction and/or Abuse: The only prescription drug that treats obesity and is not a controlled substance is orlistat. The designation of controlled substance means that physicians must adhere to certain rules when it comes to dispensing these drugs via prescription to their patients. The most common type of drug that this possibility is related to are amphetamines, however it is a possibility with other types as well, especially in patients with a history of abusing other substances.

Tolerance Buildup: Research shows that an individual who is taking weight loss medication tends to level in weight after approximately 4 to 6 months. This means one of two things — that the medication has reached its maximum effectiveness, or that the patient has built a tolerance to the drug. It is not clear at this point which is the case, but the development of tolerance to any medication is certainly a possibility.

Patient’s Inability to See Obesity as a Disease: Many people think of obesity as nothing more than weakness or a lack of self-control. They think it is merely a result of an individual’s choice to be sedentary and eat too much. This view is a factor in the reluctance health care professionals and their patients have as related to prescribing and taking long term medication for appetite suppression.

It should be noted that other diseases of a chronic nature, like hypertension and diabetes, are managed with long term medication treatment without the stigma that obesity carries. These errant views on obesity should not keep people from trying medication alongside diet and exercise to prevent the serious risks that accompany obesity. While these drugs that suppress the appetite are not magic by any means, they can help when combined with a healthy lifestyle.

Potential for Side Effects: With every medication there is the potential for side effects. The good news about weight loss medications is that the risk of side effects is relatively small. And, the effects most people experience are mild to moderate and dissipate once the body adjusts to the medication. In rare cases, life threatening and even deadly side effects were reported.

There are a couple of weight loss medications designed to suppress the appetite and have an effect on reputake and serotonin which have been taken off the market. They are dexfenfluramine and fenfluramine. Also, drugs like phentermine, diethylpropion and mazindol which work by affecting levels of catecholamine can lead to side effects like euphoria, nervousness and insomnia.

One medication that affects catecholamine and serotonin is sibutramine. This drug does not release the serotonin from the cells. Main side effects related to this drug are increase in pulse rate and blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure or any defects related to irregular heart beat, you should not take sibutramine. Any patient who decides to try this drug should make sure their blood pressure is checked regularly.

Orlistat is another popular medication, but like all drugs it also carries side effect risks. Some of the most common side effects include oily stool, gas that may include bowel discharge, more frequent bowel movements and poor control over bowels. The good news is that these are usually temporary and mild side effects. They can be made worse by consuming foods that have a high fat content. It is recommended that individuals taking this drug take a multivitamin either 2 hours prior to or after taking it.

One disorder that is rare, but can be fatal, is primary pulmonary hypertension. This disorder has a detrimental effect on the lung’s blood vessels and can result in death in 45 percent of individuals within 4 years. Most of the cases of PPH happen in those who take dexfenfluramine or fenfluramine alone or together. There have been no cases of primary pulmonary hypertension related to sibutramine intake. However it is unknown whether or not sibutramine can lead to this condition because of the rarity of the disorder.