Drugs used to treat obesity are becoming increasingly popular in the United States. At the same time, this is because a growing number of Americans suffer from the condition. This has been labeled as a disease in and of itself. It is no longer just a symptom of other issues. Moreover, it is no longer considered to be the condition of a healthy individual.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 40 percent of American adults are obese. That said, only a small percentage of them take drugs used to treat obesity. They may receive a prescription to buy Adipex or any of several other medications for that purpose.
Commonly Asked Questions Related to Drugs Used to Treat Obesity
Why Are Drugs Used to Treat Obesity Prescribed?
Weight loss is difficult. Many weight loss diets require followers to cut back on the amount they’re eating. This leaves them feeling hungry and deprived. Moreover, they must also often increase their exercise level. This is highly challenging for people who have been sedentary for a while. Drugs used to treat obesity can help make those changes easier.
The reason is that drugs used to treat obesity help overcome the biggest challenges associated with dieting. In the case of appetite suppressants, this means that it helps dieters to feel less hungry even when they don’t eat as much.
As positive as this sounds, these prescription drugs are powerful medications. Therefore, they must be used under a doctor’s regular monitoring and supervision. If you have been struggling to lose weight, ten drugs used to treat obesity may provide you with meaningful assistance. Speak with your doctor if you want to know whether or not these medications might help out.
How do Appetite Suppressant Drugs Used to Treat Obesity Help?
To start, drugs used to treat obesity don’t work like magic. They won’t make the fat melt off your body. Incidentally, non-prescription weight loss pills that claim to do that won’t work that way, either. These medications aren’t designed to do the work for you. Instead, they are meant to support you as you follow a diet strategy recommended by your doctor.
When drugs used to treat obesity are prescribed, they’re prescribed along with a number of lifestyle changes. These changes are not up for debate. They will nearly always include a calorie restricted diet. They may also include changes to regular activity levels. Sometimes, they will also involve additional strategies such as stress management and improved sleep routines.
You may find that when you are prescribed drugs used to treat obesity, you will also be referred to certain health experts. These may include a nutritionist or dietician or even a physical trainer. These professionals can help to guide you when it comes to your eating and fitness decisions. For many people, this help is invaluable for getting the most out of the benefits of their medications.
What Qualifies Someone to Get Prescribed Drugs Used to Treat Obesity?
Not everybody who wants drugs used to treat obesity will be prescribed them. These medications are prescribed only to individuals who are obese (with a BMI of 31 or higher) or overweight and whose excess weight places their health at risk. Obesity can place you at an increased risk of a number of health conditions.
Among the conditions for which the risk is increased due to weight include: heart disease, diabetes and certain forms of cancer. Though many people try hard to drop the excess pounds, this is a difficult process. When they are incapable of losing weight with diet changes and exercise alone, they may receive a prescription for drugs used to treat obesity.
They will still need to follow careful diet and exercise strategies when using these medications. However, the appetite suppression can make it easier to cut back on food without suffering hunger pangs. This can decrease food cravings and make it easier to avoid overeating.
Appetite suppressants, also known as anorexiants, are drugs used to treat obesity that affect brain chemicals. These neurotransmitters include serotonin and norepinephrine. They function by ensuring that satiety hormone levels are increased in the brain so that they will promote a feeling of fullness. When people feel full from a smaller amount of food, they will typically eat less.
As they use these pills, they are meant to build healthier eating habits and exercise regularly. This is because they cannot continue to use these medications forever. Typically, the maximum prescription is for 12 weeks. Therefore, dieters are advised to use their time with the medication to become accustomed to eating right and exercising. This will make it more natural to continue doing even without the drugs used to treat obesity.
Most Common Drugs Used to Treat Obesity in the United States:
Drugs Used to Treat Obesity: Phentermine
Phentermine – also known by the brand name of Adipex – is among the most commonly prescribed appetite suppressants in the United States. This was published in the Journal of Menopausal Medicine in 2014. It boosts energy levels, shrinks the appetite and revs up the metabolism.
That said, it is also addictive. Therefore, to avoid withdrawal symptoms, it is ideally used for no more than six weeks but may be used for up to twelve weeks if a rest is taken from the medication midway.
Phentermine is associated with a spectrum of different side effects. These mainly consist of mild and temporary effects but could also include more severe effects in rarer circumstances.
Drugs Used to Treat Obesity: Phendimetrazine
This medication isn’t too dissimilar to Phentermine. Phendimetrazine is also an appetite suppressant and energy booster. At the same time, it is also potentially addictive. This medication can be used for up to 12 weeks and may not need a break midway through.
That said, among drugs used to treat obesity, phendimetrazine is associated with a large number of its own side effects. Moreover, there have been cases of dangerous side effects that could lead to severe circumstances or even death. For instance, in 2008, the Cases Journal reported that a phendimetrazine user developed cardiac ischemia. This heart condition occurs when the organ doesn’t receive enough blood and, therefore, oxygen. This can cause heart muscle tissue to die.
Drugs Used to Treat Obesity: Diethylpropion
This medication is meant to be used with a low-calorie diet for only a small number of weeks. It is an appetite control medication and is used to help obesity patients to lose more weight in a short time. Moreover, it is also meant to be used as a training tool, so they can establish better overall lifestyle habits for weight control.
Using Diethylpropion is associated with anxiety and gastrointestinal side effects. People taking this medication are usually advised to pay close attention to their overall and specific wellness. Side effects should be reported to a doctor. In the case of severe side effects, emergency medical assistance should be sought.
Drugs Used to Treat Obesity: Bupropion.
Bupropion is actually an antidepressant. That said, one of its side effects is appetite suppression. Therefore, it is also prescribed for weight loss among people who suffer from obesity.
This drug is also prescribed for a range of other purposes. They include everything from support with smoking cessation to reducing biopolar disorder symptoms and seasonal affective disorder symptoms.
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