Taking a weight loss pills may not result in weight loss by itself. But using diet pills can help an overweight person stay on a diet because nearly all of these medications work on suppressing appetite. "Feeling full" is believed to be related to a number of biochemical processes in the body. Signals to indicate fullness come from fat cells and the gastrointestinal tract; these converge with signals in the central nervous system.
Appetite suppressants target a couple of key neurotransmitters in this process: serotonin and norepinephrine. Increased levels of serotonin result in a feeling of fullness. Increasing norepinephrine levels stimulate the central nervous system, decreasing appetite. Only one drug among the weight loss medications works in a different way. Orlistat (Xenical, Alli) works in the gastrointestinal tract to prevent absorption of about a third of ingested fat.
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The best candidate Pills for weight loss
Weight loss Pills are best suited for those with BMIs of 27 or greater, when there is at least one other risk factor (such as diabetes or high cholesterol) present, or in patients with no other risk factors who have BMIs of 30 or greater. However these guidelines are not absolute. Physicians may avoid using certain prescription diet pills in patients with hypertension, cardiac disease, hyperthyroidism or glaucoma as well as in those with a history of drug abuse.
The different types of weight loss pills
Three types of weight loss pills are used in weight loss therapy. Stimulant-like drugs stimulate the central nervous system and reduce appetite.
- Sibutramine (Meridia) increases levels of serotonin
- and Norepinephrine, helping you feel full.
- Orlistat prevents a sizable amount of fat absorption in the gut.
Regardless of how these weight loss pills work, they only help reduce weight if the user is also limiting calorie intake.
The side effects of weight loss Pills
Side effects of the stimulant-like prescription diet pills include
- pulmonary hypertension,
- a rare and potentially fatal disorder due to high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs,
- valvular disease of the heart,
- elevated blood pressure,
- increased pulse and heart rate,
- restlessness,
- dizziness,
- insomnia,
- dry mouth,
- and constipation.
Side effects of sibutramine weight loss pills include
- headache,
- dry mouth,
- anorexia,
- constipation,
- insomnia,
- runny nose,
- and sore throat.
For the diet pill orlistat, side effects include
- diarrhea,
- oily stools,
- gas,
- flatulence,
- and a decrease in absorption of fat-soluble vitamin.
Warnings with weight loss Pills
Before starting any medication, let your doctor know your full medical history such as drug allergies, medical conditions, current medication use, and whether you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or nursing.
Amphetamine-Like weight loss pills
Because patients can develop tolerance to this type of prescription diet pill within weeks, they are indicated for short-term use.
Using this type of weight loss medication may also result in drug dependence and abuse.
Side effects seen with chronic use include
- irritability,
- personality changes,
- insomnia,
- even psychosis similar to schizophrenia.
Sudden withdrawal may result in severe depression.
Operating a motor vehicle or machinery may be more difficult while using these weight loss drugs. People with heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid problems, glaucoma, or epilepsy may not be able to take these medications.
Phentermine (Adipex-P, Fastin) weight loss pills
Pulmonary hypertension is a rare and potentially fatal blood vessel disease of the lungs that has reportedly occurred when the amphetamine-like drug phentermine was used in combination with two now-withdrawn weight loss products: dexfenfluramine (Redux) and fenfluramine (Pondimin). Rarely, it has occurred in those taking phentermine alone. Symptoms include trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, and edema.
Similarly, regurgitant cardiac valvular disease, or a leaky heart valve, has been linked to phentermine use in combination with dexfenfluramine and fenfluramine, but this effect possibly could occur from phentermine use alone.
People who are already taking medications or have medical conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes need to talk to their doctor about risks of taking phentermine.
Diethylpropion (Tenuate) weight loss pills
High doses may result in hallucinations; toxic psychosis is also possible with excessive or even proper use.
Diethylpropion may increase the risk of convulsions in epileptics.
Sibutramine (Meridia) weight loss pills
Sibutramine can substantially raise blood pressure and/or pulse rate in some patients. Because of this, sibutramine users should have their blood pressure and pulse rate monitored regularly. The drug should be used with caution, if at all, in patients with a previous history of hypertension, stroke, heart disease, or severe kidney or liver disease.
Patients with narrow angle glaucoma should not use sibutramine because it causes dilation of the pupils (mydriasis). Sibutramine may interact with other medications, so it is important to talk to a doctor about current medications before starting sibutramine.
Orlistat (Xenical, Alli) weight loss pills
High-fat diets or meals may increase side effects from orlistat. Orlistat inhibits absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Patients should take a multivitamin containing fat-soluble vitamins with two hours' separation from the orlistat dose.
Orlistat may increase the risk of gallbladder and kidney stones. People taking medications for diabetes, thyroid disorders, or other medical problems should talk to their doctor about possible drug interactions before taking orlistat.
Drug Interactions with Weight Loss pills:
Phentermine may decrease the effectiveness of guanethidine.
Tenuate may interact with blood pressure medications, insulin, and other medications such as Thorazine.
Sibutramine should not be used with, or within two weeks of, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Doing so may precipitate a serious and sometimes fatal side effect known as the "serotonin syndrome." Sibutramine can interact with other antidepressants, narcotic pain medication, antibiotics, and migraine medications.
Because sibutramine commonly raises blood pressure, patients should be carefully monitored for use of other drugs which can do the same รข€“ such as over-the-counter cough, cold, and allergy preparations containing such ingredients as pseudoephedrine.
Orlistat may reduce levels of supplemental vitamins or medications such as cyclosporine. Patients taking both drugs should separate dosages by two hours.
Some examples of weight loss Pills:
- Phendimetrazine (Bontril) weight loss pills.
- Diethylpropion (Tenuate) weight loss pills.
- Benzphetamine (Didrex) weight loss pills.
- Phentermine (Adipex-P, Fastin) weight loss pills.
- Sibutramine (Meridia) weight loss pills.
- Orlistat (Xenical, Alli) weight loss pills.