Studies have shown that more people resort to prescription diet pills to resolve their obesity and overweight problems. In fact, it has been estimated that the number of prescriptions dispensed for obesity drugs continuous to rise every year. The figures have reached an astounding 1 million; which would be about 8x the figure it had 6-7 years ago. The dispensed prescriptions were mostly Orlistat and Sibutramine.

Sibutramine is an obesity drug that alters the chemical messages, that controls the feelings concerning food, being sent to the brain. Orlistat, on the other hand, prevents actual fat absorption.

In England alone, the obesity pills prescribed around 1999 reached around 127,000. Last 2006, the figures were already 1.06 million. These finding was derived from the NHS information Center. The figures estimated through the NHS’ findings would only suggest that obesity problems have reached an alarming level. More and more people are now having overweight issues.

Further studies have shown that the number of obese adults and children have multiplied in the past 10 years.  Obesity would come from a lot of factors. As it is stated as hereditary, it is also more of a lifestyle problem. Most cases of obesity are due to a poor or careless lifestyle.

The popularity and increase in sales of obesity drugs are mainly due to the increasing supply available in the market. Thus, when Orlistat was given its license last 1998 for the UK market; Sibutramine followed last 2001. After this, the demand for these obesity drugs became very rampant. As more doctors learned what Orlistat and Sibutrane can do to help obesity issues, it became highly prescribed. With the increasing number of prescriptions being issued, more supplies are being delivered to the market. This is to ensure that the supply will meet with the growing demands.

As the number of obese or overweight individuals escalates, the health department is now taking this problem more seriously. Obesity is not a problem that would only concern the physical figure. Obesity is a more than that; it is a disease that can prove fatal if taken for granted.

Heart attack, stroke, and high blood are just a few of the results of excessive weight. This is not even close to the psychological effect it can give to a person. Low self-esteem, lesser confidence and even loss of appetite are just some of the main psychological issues.

This is why obesity should be dealt with accordingly. The advent of the prescription obesity drugs has been proven to be very helpful. In fact, it has lessened the number of obesity cases. The only thing about these obesity drugs would be the long time dependence on it. It is just like ending up with only two choices; to take the obesity pill and loss weight, or not to take the obesity pill and even double in weight. 

Thus, as the problem of obesity paved a serious concern that has reached the government, this will lead to projects to help control, if not eradicate, obesity. It would help if the governments will set-up awareness programs about excessive weight issues. If more people will understand what obesity is and what it can do to the body, perhaps more people would be willing to consider its treatment options.

Experts believe that patients should be given a prescription for this obesity drug, only if it comes with a program that promotes healthier and improved lifestyles.  This can be done by altering the actual diet and engaging in physical activity.

Aside from this, resorting to obesity pills is more of a commitment you give to yourself. If you commit to doing something and believe in your capacity to achieve anything; then you are more capable of really losing weight. Doctors do not just prescribe you with these pills; they will also assess if you can handle it or if you are responsible enough.  Doctors usually resort to this kind of treatment to people with high health risks.

For those who are really not that overweight or if you do not have diabetes, heart complications or the like that runs in the family, you can also look for alternative solutions. Orlistat and sibutrane are prescription drugs for a reason. 

Claire Woodrose, a bookkeeper, shared her sentiments regarding the condition she inherited from her mother. Her mom had type 2 diabetes. This would mean that she would be dependent on insulin shots all her life. Although having type 2 diabetes is a serious condition and should always be monitored; she was able to manage her life well. She became worried when she noticed that she was gaining more weight. When she went to see a doctor, it was explained to her that having type 2 diabetes and overweight issues is like skating on thin ice. She would need to cut down on her weight; or else it will lead to more serious complications. Claire was given a prescription for Orlistat. With the help of Xenical (Orlistat), she was able to lose a couple of pounds. Although she didn’t become that slim, she is very thankful and she has lesser worries now.   

Aside from these two medicines, there are various other obesity drugs.  Not all obesity pills require a prescription. Alli is an obesity pill that can be accessed via over-the-counter. It is a lot like Orlistat; except that it is a reduced version of this diet pill.

Alli works by inhibiting the absorption of fat in the intestines. Various other diet pills will promise you the same thing, lose weight. Advertisements will guarantee this. Make sure that you are aware that not all diet pills available in the market are already approved. Not all of them have been proven to be effective; and not all of them are genuine. There have been reports of fraud medicines in the market.

Fraud pills or medicines are very dangerous. This is aside from the fact that you won’t lose a single pound; you will lose money instead. Thus, there are also diet pills in the market that have not been tested to be effective on humans. Sometimes, they would say it is effective to humans already, but there is still no proof of its long term effects. Majority of these obesity pills are known for the short term effect it provides.

The varieties of unsafe diet pills would only show that getting prescriptions from a good doctor; and buying from a known and licensed drugstore will assure of you of your safety. Hence, it may even be safer if you will purchase an OTC or over-the-country diet pill. Alli is the perfect example for this (as mentioned earlier). Alli, together with a good diet and exercise, is a good habit worth keeping. In fact, it can promote a healthy and improved lifestyle.

Amanda Matthews, an English Professor, narrated how Alli was able to change her life. Since her early 20’s, she has been struggling with the problem of obesity. Her life was more focused on her studies and family; because she was so afraid of reaching out to other people and just be rejected. She would skip most of her meals; out of desperation to lose weight. She has tried every possible mechanism on TV and on the net that guaranteed weight reduction. Thus, the last resort she was thinking of doing was to see a doctor and have liposuction. She wanted to do this, but she was just too scared as well. When she learned about Alli on the net, she decided to give it a try.

Amanda was happy that she was able to lose a few pounds with Alli. She knew that it would be slow process through the information and feedbacks she had read. She had even come up with a diet, which she got from a nutritionist friend of her fellow professor. Alli, exercise and diet became her habit.

The growing number of obese people is really an issue the health organization should focus on. As already mentioned on the increasing number of prescriptions being issued, it would mean that more people have weight concerns. Being obese somehow leads to a chain of events that have an unknown ending. Diet pills alone cannot cure this, but a good attitude and a more positive perspective can help you a long way.

If you are not that obese or your only concern would be to fit into sexier clothing; you are missing out on the main purpose of these diet pills. Their main goal is to help you lose weight; so that your body will remain healthy and free from illnesses or diseases brought about by obesity.

 If you don’t feel comfortable about the large clothing you wear everyday; then it would be your biggest dilemma.  This is because it is your attitude that has a problem. Only you can cure this. Once you have learned to accept yourself, you will see and value your true beauty as an individual. You will have no room for self-pity; and instead have self esteem and self confidence.