Obesity is a serious medical condition that can be life-threatening. It is one of the major causes of preventable morbidity and mortality globally. According to the World Health Organization, about 39% of the worldwide population is considered to be obese. In 2014, the WHO stated that about 1.9 million people died due to being overweight or obese. It is time to admit that there is no magic pill to provide instant weight loss. However, there are medications that can be useful in treating obesity.
Orlistat
Orlistat is a medication that belongs to a group of drugs called lipase inhibitors. It was first made available for medical use in 1995 and was approved by the US FDA in 1999. It was designed to be used in combination with a low-calorie diet and exercise for the treatment of overweight and obesity. Studies have shown that orlistat can significantly reduce weight in people who are obese. It has also been shown to improve the symptoms of insulin resistance, which is very common in people who are obese. A lot of research has been done on orlistat; therefore, it has a good track record and is definitely a safe option for people seeking to lose weight. Orlistat is available in a number of different forms, including tablets, syrups, and injections, and it is usually recommended that people start out with the tablets and then move to the other forms as they become more familiar with the medication. It is always a good idea to consult with a professional healthcare provider before starting any new medication or treatment plan. This is especially important if you are already taking medication for other conditions.
Sibutramine
Sibutramine is another medication that belongs to the group of drugs called cyclooxygenase-inhibitors or anti-inflammatory analgesics. It was first made available for medical use in 1984 and was approved by the US FDA in 1992. It is prescribed to be used in combination with a low-calorie diet and exercise for the treatment of obesity. It works by reducing the feeling of hunger that people experience. This is usually a good thing because people who are obese tend to experience a lot of food cravings. However, there have also been cases where people metabolized sibutramine quickly and it caused undesirable side effects. When this happens, patients have to discontinue the use of the medication. Luckily, this is a very rare occurrence and most people who take sibutramine report very few side effects. For this reason, it has a good safety record and people generally feel safe enough to try it for weight loss. However, it is always a good idea to consult a healthcare provider before starting any new medication or treatment plan. This is especially important if you are already taking medication for other conditions.
Rimonabant
Rimonabant is a medicine that was originally designed to be used for Alzheimer’s disease. However, it was also found to be useful in treating obesity. It belongs to the class of medications called cannabinoid (CB) receptor antagonists. It was first made available for medical use in 2006 and was approved by the FDA in 2008. It is usually prescribed to be used in combination with a low-calorie diet and exercise for the treatment of obesity. Studies have shown that rimonabant can be very effective in reducing weight in people who are obese. It has also been shown to improve the symptoms of type 2 diabetes, which is very common in obese people. Many people who take rimonabant for weight loss also experience an improvement in their arthritis symptoms. However, there are some negative aspects to this medication as well. It can cause people to become more anxious and there have also been cases of people who took rimonabant and then committed suicide. For this reason, it is always a good idea to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new medication or treatment plan. Although rimonabant has the potential to be a very useful medication for people who are obese, it also has the potential to be very unsafe.
Bupropion
Bupropion is an antidepressant that was first made available for medical use in 1940 and was approved by the FDA in 1972. It is prescribed to be used in combination with a low-calorie diet and exercise for the treatment of obesity. It has been shown in studies to reduce weight in people who are obese. However, it is always a good idea to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new medication or treatment plan. Like with most medications, bupropion has a number of side effects, some of which can be rather serious. These include seizures, suicidal thoughts, and abnormal blood chemistry. Fortunately, these are very rare occurrences and most people who take bupropion report few to no side effects. It is a safe and effective medication for weight loss and is definitely worth trying if you are looking for options to reduce weight.
Phentermine
Phentermine is a medication that belongs to a group of drugs called amphetamine-like stimulants. It was first made available for medical use in 1947 and was approved by the FDA in 1968. It is usually prescribed to be used in combination with a low-calorie diet and exercise for the treatment of obesity. It has been shown in studies to reduce weight in people who are obese. It can also help with depression and ADHD, which are common among people who are obese. Phentermine has a relatively good safety record and it is usually well-tolerated. However, it can cause severe hypertension and there have also been cases where people taking phentermine have experienced psychotic symptoms. For this reason, it is always a good idea to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new medication or treatment plan. While Phentermine has a good safety record, it also has a number of undesirable side effects that people have to consider.
Topiramate
Topiramate is a medication that was first made available for medical use in 1999 and was approved by the FDA in 2003. It is a drug that is used for the treatment of epilepsy and obesity. Studies have shown that topiramate can be very useful in reducing weight in people who are obese. It has also been shown to improve the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy. However, it can have some rather serious side effects, including dizziness, drowsiness, and tiredness. These are considered quite common and most people who take topiramate experience them to some degree. Topiramate is a good option for people who are overweight or obese and it is usually better tolerated than some of the other medications that are discussed in this article. For this reason, it is a good choice for people who are looking for medication to help them lose weight.
Liragliptin
Liragliptin is a medication that belongs to the group of medications called DPP4 (Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4) inhibitors. It was introduced for medical use in 2006 and was subsequently approved by the FDA in 2012. It is prescribed to be used in combination with a low-calorie diet and exercise for the treatment of obesity. It has been shown in studies to reduce weight in people who are obese. Like most medications, it has a number of side effects. The most common of these is mild to moderate nausea. It is a medication that is relatively safe and effective for weight loss and it is usually well-tolerated. However, people who take liragliptin have to be very careful and monitor their weight closely because diabetes is a common side effect of this medication and if it is not managed properly, it can lead to further health problems.
Chiropramide
Chiropramide is a medication that was first introduced for medical use in 1974 and was subsequently approved by the FDA in 1987. It is used for the treatment of acute gastroenteritis and functional diarrhea in children. However, it has also been shown to be useful in treating obesity. Studies have shown that chiropramide can be very effective in reducing weight in people who are obese. It has also been shown to reduce the symptoms of type 2 diabetes and it can improve arthritis symptoms as well. The most common side effects associated with chiropramide are dry mouth and constipation. These are mild and they usually go away after a few days or weeks of use. Many people who take chiropramide report that it helps them sleep and it is believed to have an effect on the central nervous system. This medication is relatively safe and effective for weight loss and it is always a good idea to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new medication or treatment plan.