During the mid 90s, there was a so-called conference about the treatment of obesity and overweight concerns.  This was during the approval of a drug called Redux or the Fenfluramine. It is an anti-suppressant drug that can be used with a much older drug called the phentermine. This Fen-Pen tandem was a favorite and a hit at that time. There were even doctors who wanted to set up their own weight-loss clinics and just focus on obesity issues; all because of these 2 drugs. They thought that the combination of the drug is the surest way to lose weight. This is when diet and exercise alone cannot do the trick.

After a few months, it became a shocking discover that Redux or Fenfluramine can potentially cause lung and lethal heart damage to a person. This is why the drug was eventually pulled out from the market. After a decade, other drugs came out, but only guaranteed modest reduction of weight assurances. In fact, most of the side effects were rarely discussed openly.

It is a fact that more than 50% of the American population is obese or overweight. It is even very common to see them taking prescription drugs, just to have those excess weight removed. The only problem would be the fact that there are not so many articles that would talk about other weight loss diet pills in the market.

It is more like being treated as a common thing already. As if having obesity issues is the same with getting your period and going to the store to get tampons. Other believe that it may be due to the fact that obesity issues are too varied and numerous to tackle every drug that comes out in the market.  With the rate of drugs coming out, no one can clearly say that all of it is safe to use. Others may claim to be safe and effective at the moment, but the long-term effect would really kill you. Another reason may be the fact that more people are more obsessed to lose weight, rather than try to find out more information about the drug they are taking or were prescribed. With the rampant cases of obesity, manufacturers only care to cater to strong demand; the effects are a secondary thing.

There are a lot of things that affect a person’s body mass. Neurochemical, genetic, social psychological, hormonal, and environmental among other factors are the ones that contribute to having excess weight. This is also the case when you take in medicines to help you resolve this problem. If you take a drug that could suppress your appetite, but you overeat even if you are not that hungry, out of routine, may pose a limited effect on your system already. This is also true when you take drugs that block the fats being absorbed by the body. It will not do anything if your diet is flooded with sugar, low fat and carbohydrates.

Recently, the press became very interested in Alli. This is because, the drug can supposedly resolve obesity issues, but can be bought over-the-counter of OTC. It was in the limelight because it seemed like a new thing. It is, actually. Alli is the over-the –counter version of Orlistat or Xenical. It supposedly blocks the absorption of fat in the intestines. Thus, it needs to be taken before every major meal that has fat, of course. This is because; the drug will not work if your diet doesn’t contain fat in it. Besides, almost every food in the contain fat these days. It is advisable to consume only a minimal amount of fat in your diet.

Contrary to speculations, Alli cannot work alone. You need to combine it with a good diet and exercise. This is since it is the reduced version of Orlistat. This only means that the dosage is half the total dosage of Orlistat or Xenical.

There was also another drug that came out in the market. It is called the Rimonabant or Acomplia. It is a drug that works by actually blocking the receptors in the brain that tells you how to view food. These brain receptors are similar to the ones that cause the “munchies” effect in marijuana or Mary Jane users.

Rimonabant is available in a lot of European countries. It was only last year when the Federal Advisory Committee motioned the disapproval of the drug in the US Market. This is because the drug has possibilities of leaving people very vulnerable to psychiatric and neurological problems and issues. It supposedly creates a high risk of suicidal cases. Thus, this factor was not even sensationalized; so as to promote the awareness of what it can do to your mental health.

There are also other prescription drugs for weight loss that suppresses and regulates you appetite by thoroughly altering the level of chemicals inside your brain. This would be drugs like Sibutramine or Meridia, Phentermine, Adipex and Ionamin among others. The issue lies on the fact that by altering the chemicals in ones brain, will it cause any long term or short term effect on a person? It is said that although they produce only a minimal assurance of weight loss, there are diseases that go with it. Meridia is said to cause hypertension, Alli and Xenical can cause vitamin deficiencies; and Phentermine can cause palpitations. Time can only tell if there are other side effects that may prove any of these to be lethal.

There is supposedly one way to have the risk factors of these drugs minimized. It is through prescriptions. These drugs need to be prescribed only for patients who are obese and are extremely overweight. This is along with people who have diseases like type 2 diabetes and hypertension in their family. Losing weight is the only thing they need to do so as to prevent them from having further complications because of such hereditary diseases.

There was even a study conducted that stated that women who los weight had a 40% up to 50% decrease from the death toll of those dying from obesity-related cancers. Thus, they also had a 30% up to 40% decline from the death toll of those dying from type 2 diabetes.

There were even guidelines issued by the NIH or National Institute of Health, which states that weight loss drugs should only be given or prescribed to people with a BMI or Body Mass Index of 30 or more. For cases with the diseases mentioned above, it should be prescribed or given to people with a BMI of 27 or more. Thus, if people with lower BMI use weight loss drugs, it will really pose risks rather than benefits for the user. This is not the case for over-the-counter-drugs. Of course, the type of person buying the drug OTC doesn’t need a prescription. This means that any person can buy it; whether that person is obese or not. The only thing to do for these cases is to create an awareness program. This should aim to inform majorities of people who desire to lose weight that BMI or Body Mass Index really count. That they should first consult with a good doctor. This is to avoid any untoward incident or problems that may arise in the future.

Thus, it’s true that drug therapy is the best when you combine it with a change in your lifestyle. In fact, last 2005, there was a study conducted by the New England Journal of Medicines that showed how after a year of treatment using Meridia; and combining it with a comprehensive program that counsels about the need for a low calorie diet and 30 minute daily exercise could successfully reduce your weight. This is apart from using Meridia alone. Exercise can be as simple as talking 30 minute brisk walks. It is very important to understand that by changing your lifestyle into something worthwhile and healthy, not only will you be able to lose weight; you will also shun your body away from certain diseases. Imagine the benefits your body can get when you stop drinking or taking junk food. Sometimes, even simple measures can mean a great deal of things.

With the growing number of Americans being obese, manufacturers are very eager to release drugs that will “supposedly” resolve this problem. This is when the intentions become clouded. Of course, it is more on the profit they can get already. There are also questions if obesity can be regarded as a disease? With the growing rate, as already mentioned above, obesity is really an epidemic already. This is not about the clothes anymore or the physical appearance, this is more about the diseases you may get from being obese or overweight. If you are still young, you may disregard or pretend that it’s not a big deal. It is a big deal. Having a heart disease or high blood pressure is not something you can disregard. That is, if you value your life.

Weigh Less

It is stated that 2 out of 3 Americans are now overweight. This is why this guidebook is said to guarantee a decreased risk of cases like stroke, heart diseases and certain cancers among others. It is said that it contains tips on how to successfully lose weight, according to the studies conducted by the Harvard Medical School. It has an effective weigh loss regimen you can use.

Thus, with all the medicines and tools coming out that “guarantees” weight loss, it is now wonder why there is only limited news being broadcasted about these drugs. It seems that they all say the same thing. The best thing would be to consult a good doctor and practice a healthy lifestyle. With the help of a doctor, you will eventually find the drug that can work to your advantage.