Prescription Drugs: Do They Help You Lose Weight?

The weight loss industry makes prescription diet plls sound like a dream come true. They are not for everyone who is overweight. The fact is that Doctors usually prescribe them to their patients with weight related health problems.

The best way to lose weight is to eat a healthy diet and add a regular exercise routine to your daily schedule. If you are struggling to lose your weight and it is causing health problems then the weight loss drugs may be able to help you.

Do You Qualify?

Prescription weight loss drugs aren't intended for people who just want to lose a few pounds to look better. They are for people who have been unable to lose and/or maintain their weight through healthy eating and exercising, which has resulted into medical related problems.

You might qualify for weight loss drugs if you:

• have tried healthy eating and exercise and it just isn't working for you
• your body mass index (BMI) is greater than 27 and you have some medical problems relating to obesity like diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea

Common Weight Loss Drugs

Meridia

• Changes your brain chemistry and makes you feel full quickly when eating.
• Some of the common side effects are: increased blood pressure, headaches, dry mouth, constipation and insomnia.

Xenical

• Prevents the absorption of fats into your intestines.
• Side Effects: Frequent oily bowel movements, diarrhea, bloating and abdominal pain.

Can They Improve Health?

Combining the medication, fewer calories and regular exercise can help you lose between 5 to 10 percent of your total body weight in a year. This may not seem like a lot of weight to lose but even a small amount of weight lost is a huge benefit to your health. Losing just a small amount of weight can decrease:

• Blood pressure
• Cholesterol
• Blood sugar levels
• Triglyceride levels

Weight loss drugs teach you to change your eating habits and add the exercise that you need in your daily life. Prescripton weight loss drugs, when used properly increase your chances of weight loss and better health.

Drug Safety Still Unknown

If you are among those who will benefit from the weight loss drugs, you will probably have to take it forever. When you discontinue use of the drugs, the weight you have lost generally returns. The problem with taking these drugs indefinitely is that they are so new that the long term effects are unknown and experts cannout vouch for their safety.

Things To Consider

• You and your doctor need to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of taking a weight loss drug. Discover what the possible side effects may be. While discussing your health history and the effects it might have with the other medications that you are taking.
• Not all health insurances cover weight loss drugs. Some health insurance need prior authorization.
• Remember that when you take a weight loss drug, you still have to eat a healthy diet and include regular exercise into your daily routine.

Weight loss drugs aren't the easy answer to weight loss. Use them as a tool to assist you along with a healthy diet and exercise. Only use them after specific conversations with your medical physician.

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