Prescription Weight Loss Remedies

Amphetamines

There are several types of amphetamine weight loss medications. Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), methamphetamine (Desoxyn), and phenmetrazine (Pleudin) were the most often prescribed amphetamine medications in the past. However, they are no longer prescribed for weight loss. These drugs elevate mood and produce modest, short-term weight loss. Unfortunately, these medications present serious risk of addiction, agitation, and insomnia in addition to other long term side effects.

Sibutramine

Sibutramine (Meridia) keeps two important neurotransmitters – serotonin and norepinephrine – in balance, which results in an increase in one’s metabolism. It causes a feeling of fullness and increases energy levels. There is research indicating that sibutramine assists with weight loss and helps to maintain weight loss. Patients who stop taking the drug often report significant weight gain afterward. Some studies also indicate a correlation between use of sibutramine and improved cholesterol and other lipid levels.

Common side effects include dry mouth, constipation, and insomnia. Increases in heart rate and blood pressure are also of concern to some individuals. Many experts believe that sibutramine is safe, but long-term effects have not been established as of yet. Individuals who have a history of high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, or arrhythmias should not take this medication. Those taking decongestants, bronchodilators (such as for asthma), monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or serotonin reuptake inhibitors should also avoid taking sibutramine.

Orlistat

Orlistat can help about one-third of obese patients with modest weight loss and it can assist in maintaining long-term weight loss. This medication reduces the amount of fat an individual absorbs from food which results in reduction of weight and cholesterol. Orlistat blocks the action of an enzyme in the intestine called lipase whose function is to break down fat during the digestive process. Orlistat does not increase serotonin levels, but works effectively and is also a stimulant.

Research indicates that at the end of the first year, Orlistat users report a five to ten percent overall reduction in weight. Studies also report that the drug may prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes, improve cholesterol levels regardless of weight loss, and reduce blood pressure. It should be noted that some patients reported an increase in blood pressure. Orlistat can cause gastrointestinal problems and may interfere with the body’s ability to absorb fat soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, and E and other important nutrients.

Serotonin-Releasing Anorexiants

Serotonin-releasing anorexiants increase the availability of serotonin, a chemical in the brain that prevents depression and helps decrease calorie consumption. Unfortunately, the most popular of these drugs have potentially serious side effects, which include development of abnormalities in the heart valves and a more uncommon side effect of life-threatening pulmonary hypertension. As a result Redux, Pondimin, and the combination drug commonly referred to as Fen-Phen have all been pulled from the market. Studies indicate that changes may occur in patients taking the drugs for longer than three months. To date, even in these patients, there do not seem to be serious complications. Taking these drugs for a short period of about two or three months does not seem to have serious consequences. However, those who have taken one of these medications for an extended period of time should have a cardiovascular exam. Many individuals who took these drugs had been taking more than the recommended dosage. Other patients took these drugs in combination with Prozac, an antidepressant, which intensified the effect of the diet pills.

Sympathomimetics

Sympathomimetics are agents that act like the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, which is a stress hormone. Although these types of drugs can still raise one’s blood pressure, they are safer and less addictive than amphetamines. They are approved for short-term use and include such medications as phentermine, diethylpropion, mazindol, benzphetamine, and phendimetrazine.

Accomplia

A hot new diet drug that has made the news a lot is a French drug, Accomplia Rimonabant. It was created to help patients quit smoking and lose weight by fat blocking the brain circuitry that causes cravings.

The diet drug rimonabant Accomplia, which may be available within the next year or two, is an appetite suppressant, but works through a different approach by blocking the primeval circuitry in the brain that gives marijuana smokers the “munchies.” The French company Sanofi-Synthelabo plans to seek U.S. approval after more research on the drug has been conducted.

Experimental Therapies

Naltrexone (Trexan) is a drug that blocks the euphoria of drug abusers and is being tested for use on those who binge. Studies so far have been rather encouraging. However, this drug is, unfortunately, available only by injection.

Preliminary results of early studies regarding a genetically engineered injectable drug called Leptin are reporting weight loss among patients who are genetically obese. Higher dosage is sometimes required for higher weights. Most common side effects are headache and pain at the injection site. So far there appear to be no adverse effects on major organs, including the heart, liver, kidneys, central nervous system, or gastrointestinal tract. This drug also does not appear to affect insulin levels.