Can Your Doctor Prescribe Weight Loss Pills? - Mustaf Medical
Can Your Doctor Prescribe Weight Loss Pills?
Many people are on a mission to achieve that perfect body shape for various reasons - be it better health or an enhanced physical appearance. If you have been struggling with the pounds, your doctor may offer weight loss advice, but only in some cases can he actually prescribe medication to help you lose weight. The decision is usually not up to you but depends on a number of factors including your overall health. Let's delve into how weight loss works and what types of medications are used as well as the effectiveness of such drugs for that purpose.
Understanding How Weight Loss Works:
Weight loss occurs when you burn more calories than your body consumes. This can be achieved by either consuming fewer calories through diet, increasing physical activity or using a combination of both methods. The idea is to create a calorie deficit in which the body draws from its fat reserves. As one tries to lose weight, they may notice that certain foods make them feel fuller for longer than others and this results in eating less while feeling satisfied due to increased hunger hormones like ghrelin and insulin. Some of these foods include protein rich foods such as meat, fruits, vegetables, whole grains among other unprocessed meals. A good way of creating a calorie deficit is by combining a low-calorie diet with an exercise plan that targets every part of the body for better results. There are cases where you may need help with weight loss when no matter how hard one tries to lose those extra pounds nothing seems to work, this is where doctors prescribe medications to boost your body's metabolism. One such option can be through dietary supplements. Most of these pills work by stimulating hormone receptors that control hunger and satiety leading to reduced food intake. There are some medicines designed for specific goals like fat blocking agents while others help in appetite suppression with the primary aim of aiding in weight loss as they make you feel full hence eating less. The main idea is to have a more balanced diet plan, a well-rounded workout routine and enough rest so that your body can focus on burning excess fat stores.
Common Types of Prescription Weight Loss Pills:
Some of these prescription medications include Contrave which consists of bupropion-naltrexone or phentermine-topiramate for weight loss. The drug works by helping you feel full faster and reduces hunger pangs with the aim of aiding in losing 5% to 10% of your body weight in a period of six months. Belviq, also known as lorcaserin is another common pill that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for obesity management and is used for obese or overweight people suffering from diabetes or high blood pressure. Contrave comes with several side effects such as insomnia, nausea, headaches among other problems which should be managed well. Belviq, on the other hand, may lead to changes in pulse rate, hallucinations and mood swings among others. Others include Qsymia a combination of phentermine and topiramate that is designed for weight loss purposes while Phen-Pro has a combination of fenfluramine and phentermine, but was discontinued after side effects were reported. However, these two drugs have been shown to be effective in the short term for weight loss. Lomaira (phendimetrazine) works by controlling hunger pangs with appetite suppression. The medication is only prescribed where a combination of diet and exercise does not work for weight loss.
When it comes to fat-blocking agents like Orlistat or Xenical, they do just what their name suggests. They block your body's ability to absorb dietary fats. As the fat is not absorbed in the gut, it is excreted with no effects on protein and carbohydrates meaning you will end up consuming less calories. Orlistat has several side effects that make one take a well-planned diet for optimal weight loss results and it can also lead to stomach cramps or diarrhea. Belviq may have some serious side effects like the drug is associated with suicidal thoughts, high blood pressure as well as severe allergic reactions in some cases hence not recommended for people under the age of 18.
These are designed primarily for obese adults who suffer from other weight related conditions such as diabetes, sleep apnea and hypertension. Some of these drugs do come with several side effects that may vary between individuals. A doctor should only prescribe them when all natural methods to lose weight have been attempted but failed or for those that have a hard time controlling their appetite which has hindered any success in weight loss attempts.
Are They Effective?
When it comes to prescription weight loss medications, there is not one that has zero side effects and they work differently depending on the person. It's important to follow your doctor's instructions carefully as these drugs need to be taken at a specific time of the day and with a meal. If you fail to follow such instructions, certain side effects may occur or the drug may cease to have the desired effect. These medications are usually prescribed where dieting and exercising alone has not resulted in losing weight and it should never be used as an excuse for not taking care of your body. The results when taken properly could lead to more than five percent loss of body weight, but only with a healthy and balanced diet and regular workout plan.
The most effective drugs in the market are Contrave and Belviq since they have been shown to have fewer side effects compared to others like Qsymia and Phendimetrazine. Xenical's results may vary as it is fat-blocking medication that should be used with a well-balanced meal. Most people experience the best results when these drugs are taken for at least six months.
Risks Associated With Weight Loss Medications:
Even though there are prescription weight loss medications available in the market, they do come with several risks such as side effects like depression, headaches and high blood pressure among others. They should be prescribed by a qualified doctor who will monitor you closely. Some people have died from taking these pills due to allergic reactions hence it's important that only doctors prescribe them.
Best Way to Lose Weight:
If the prescription medications are not available or if you fear their side effects, there is another way to lose weight that doesn't involve popping a pill - dieting and exercising. It's easy as well as long term. Start by taking in enough calories for your body size then reduce it gradually while at the same time upping your exercise routine but always eat something. There are some foods that may lead you feeling full longer than others such as protein, whole grains and fruits as mentioned earlier. Also, ensure you have a well-planned workout plan for different parts of the body. To have better results, try to avoid processed food. Another aspect is rest; make sure you get enough sleep every night for it helps your body in its fat burning function.
It's always better when one takes their time and follows safe methods which are available before seeking prescription medication that can lead to life-threatening side effects. If you are overweight or obese, ask your doctor about these medications as they may work if you have tried the usual dieting ways but failed. They should only be prescribed where natural weight loss measures do not show any results over a period of time.
A well-balanced diet with adequate sleep and regular exercise are some of the best ways to shed off those extra pounds in a healthy manner, without side effects and they will also maintain your overall health.