Home » Prescribed Medications for Weight Loss
Weight loss is not just about looking better, there are serious implications for those who are obese and who cannot shift the weight including, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, heart disease, diabetes and even cancer. There comes a time when the best attempts to improve diet and introduce exercise just won’t cut it and a more serious approach is necessary. Thankfully, after a dry spell in the pharmaceutical industry there is some choice in the way of weight loss treatments and drugs such as Qsiva and Lorqess have, in recent years, been approved for the US market. There is another medication, Contrave, currently under consideration in the EU and the US and it seems likely to be approved. All of these weight loss drugs work on the central nervous system (CNS) by inhibiting appetite cravings, but people are nervous about the potential side effects of taking drugs that work on the CNS. This is understandable considering the difficulty some of these drug companies have had in getting their treatments approved by the Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency this last decade, but studies have gleaned positive results and once prescribed by a doctor, the patient’s progress is monitored throughout the treatment process. There has been one constant in the form of Xenical and is known to work well for some in the fight against obesity. Xenical is normally the medication of choice used by the NHS in the UK because of its good safety profile.
Xenical is lipase inhibitor which works on the breakdown of dietary fats in the stomach and small intestine. The fat content is excreted rather than absorbed by the body reducing weight gain from fat content in the diet. This treatment is suitable for those who have a BMI of 30, or those with a BMI of 27 if they are at risk of developing illnesses related to their weight. This treatment could be a great kick start for those who have tried to change their diet and exercise regimes and have failed or for those who don’t want to try appetite suppressants just yet. The treatment process requires a strong commitment and sense willpower for results though. You can read the full clinical prescribing advice on this medication here.
If more than the suggested amount of fat is ingested, the side effects can be very uncomfortable and include loose stools, an embarrassing consequence of eating in excess of the recommended fat content with this drug. The advantage here is that the dieter will have a greater incentive to reduce the amount of fat they eat but they will also have to focus on calorie intake and exercise and the drug is often prescribed along with a behaviour modification program in order to help very obese patients lose weight and change their relationship with food. So, Xenical focuses on one aspect of an unhealthy diet but it could make all the difference for some individuals who feel that they just need the incentive or the push to be more wary about what they eat day to day. Losing that little bit of weight initially could really help in terms of stimulating the motivation to exercise but the tablets will only work to their potential when all aspects of diet are examined and changed. It is important not to be disatracted by horror stories on the internet about Xenical side effects. Most people do not get any side effects at all and any gastrointestinal side effects suffered can normally be eliminated with dietary adjustment. We recommend this NHS website for an impartial description of the side effects.
Calorie counting is a viable way of losing weight on its own and the best way to do this is in the form of a food diary. This is a great place to start, but again requires a serious commitment and an honest approach. Often people look back at the day and forget the bits and pieces they have snacked on or picked at while cooking for example. The calories add up very quickly and a routine approach to eating is vital for those who fall into this habit. This lifestyle change, plus walking a mile every day, or walking to places you would normally drive, can make all the difference. More invasive approaches might seem like the easiest option but in terms of achieving lasting weight loss without the potential side effects, these simple changes must be exhausted first; they might just work. Often people are surprised by what they can achieve and it is important to remember that nothing happens overnight.
When taking the decision to start a treatment like Xenical, it is best to obtain the tablets from a regulated practitioner or medical company and divulge a full medical history. Although there are no serious side effects associated with Xenical, anyone with kidney problems or who are taking other prescription treatments for conditions such as hypothyroidism or epilepsy could be putting themselves at risk. This treatment does not work for everyone but it is a good way to kick start a lifestyle change and potentially alter any unhealthy relationships with food in the long term. The first port of call should really be your own GP but if he or she is unwilling to prescribe for you on the NHS because of cost then there are good private alternatives. You can even get advice and prescriptions from doctors online in the UK. One of the leading providers of weight loss treatments online is www.theonlineclinic.co.uk. This website is regulated and licensed in the UK so you know that you are dealing with a legitmate medical practice. Do not expect them to give you what ever you ask for - it is not a shop! You will be assessed on the basis of clincial need.