The following will discuss the top 3 medications for weight loss. Although these medications may be effective for certain individuals, they should not be considered a routine or standard way of treating obesity. Instead, the information provided here should be used to supplement, not replace, any dietary changes, exercise, or lifestyle modifications that you are already making
Metformin
Metformin is a medication that is often prescribed for Type 2 diabetes. Although this medication is generally considered safe, there are cases where it may cause lactic acidosis or severe, even fatal reactions. Before you begin using this medication, you should carefully consider the risks versus the benefits. Studies have shown that taking Metformin with a meal may reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by up to 58%. This medication is not recommended for people with compromised kidney function or who are allergic to metformin or any component of its make-up.
Rosiglitazone
Rosiglitazone is a medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes and is marketed under the brand names Avandia and Rigoleri. This medication may cause rare cases of liver toxicity or severe allergic reactions. Although there are no known lethal overdoses, there is a black box warning regarding the potential risk of heart disease or bladder cancer.
There have been many cases of individuals who took rosiglitazone and then died from heart attacks or strokes. Studies have also shown that this medication may cause or worsen liver dysfunction in certain individuals. Because of these risks and concerns, rosiglitazone should not be considered a first-line treatment for weight loss and may only be used as part of a weight loss program in combination with diet and exercise.
Gastrozole
Gastrozole is a medication that is used to treat gastric (stomach) cancer. Although this medication is generally considered safe, it has been known to cause liver toxicity in some people. Because of this, it should not be used for people with compromised liver function or who are taking other medications that may exacerbate liver problems. This medication has also been known to cause birth defects and spontaneous abortions in rats and mice. Due to these serious risks, Gastrozole should not be taken by women who are or may become pregnant.
Although Gastrozole may be effective for treating gastric cancer, there are other treatments that may be less harmful to the patient. If your physician prescribes this medication for gastric cancer, he may be trying to spare you more serious side effects by using a less aggressive regimen. Before you begin using Gastrozole, you should consult with your physician to find out what course of treatment is best for you.
Chlorpropamide
Chlorpropamide is a medication that is used for Type 2 diabetes. This medication has been known to cause serious skin reactions, including contact dermatitis. In rare cases, it has been known to cause anaphylactic (an allergic) reactions, hives, or severe rash. Although there are no known cases of death due to a chlorpropamide overdose, there is a theoretical risk of an overdose causing liver toxicity or failure. Because of these risks, this medication should not be taken by people with liver dysfunction or who are taking other medications that may cause liver problems. This medication can also cause your blood sugar to temporarily rise above normal levels, which could lead to low blood sugar symptoms or an episode of hypoglycemia. If you experience low blood sugar or have any questions about the causes or implications of hypoglycemia, you should discuss this with your physician.
Chlorpropamide has also been known to cause birth defects in rats and mice. Although there are no known cases of human birth defects due to chlorpropamide, it is still listed as possibly carcinogenic (cancer-causing) by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Due to these risks, chlorpropamide should not be taken as part of a weight loss regimen. Instead, it should only be used for Type 2 diabetes in combination with diet and exercise.
What are the alternatives to these medications?
Although these medications may be effective for certain individuals, they should not be considered a routine or standard way of treating obesity. Instead, the information provided here should be used to supplement, not replace, any dietary changes, exercise, or lifestyle modifications that you are already making. The following will discuss some of the alternatives to Metformin, Rosiglitazone, and Gastrozole. The first two are fairly safe and have fewer side effects than the latter two, but they’re not without their pros and cons.
Liraglutide (Victoza)
Liraglutide is a medication that is often used to treat Type 2 diabetes. This medication is often prescribed in addition to diet and exercise, as it is known to be effective in combination with these treatments. Although studies have shown that this medication reduces weight, it is not known to be safe for use by people with kidney dysfunction or those who are taking other medications that may cause kidney problems. The most common side effects of liraglutide are nausea and vomiting. Although these are not severe side effects, they may indicate that liraglutide is not for everyone. On the positive side, liraglutide has been shown to be very effective in patients who are obese or overweight. It has also been shown to improve blood sugar control while also encouraging weight loss.
Orlistat (Xenical)
Orlistat is a medication that is often prescribed for Type 2 diabetes. This medication has been shown to be effective for reducing fat intake and as a result, weight loss. It has also been shown to improve blood sugar control while also encouraging weight loss. Although studies have shown that orlistat is generally safe and well-tolerated, there are still questions regarding its long-term safety. The most common side effect of orlistat is oily or creamy stool. If you experience this, it would be wise to talk to your physician about switching to a different medication.
Lovastatin (Mevacor)
Lovastatin is a medication that is often used to treat high cholesterol. This medication has been shown to reduce cholesterol and thus, weight gain. It is also often prescribed in combination with diet and exercise to treat obesity. This medication has been known to cause side effects such as muscle pain, weakness, or joint pain. Although muscle weakness may not be serious, it’s still something to think about before taking this medication. There have also been cases of people who developed liver toxicity while taking this medication. Because of these risks, lovastatin should not be taken by people with compromised liver function or who are taking other medications that may cause liver problems. This medication may also cause muscle pain in some people. If you experience muscle pain or weakness while taking this medication, you should consult your physician to find out what’s causing the problem. Even if you have no symptoms, it would be wise to have your cholesterol checked regularly while on this medication.
There are also some supplements that have been known to boost weight loss. The most common of these are chromium (which helps the body utilize carbohydrates) and Garcinia Cambogia (which reduces appetite). Although these are effective for certain individuals, they are not a replacement for medication or other forms of treatment for obesity. If you’re considering these supplements, you should discuss this with your physician so that he can properly guide you toward safe and effective treatment for your specific case.