Many people struggling with obesity understand the importance of losing the excess weight on their overall health. The majority of them try different approaches, but with little success. The major reason for the failure is that most of them look for a quick method of losing weight. The reality is that successful weight loss is a journey that requires a combination of different strategies.
The most important strategy is embracing a lifestyle change, which includes eliminating all the habits and thoughts pattern that led to obesity. Health experts recommend dietary change and consistent exercise. However, some morbidly obese persons cannot lose weight through these approaches. Here are the top medications for obesity that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved.
Orlistat (Xenical)
This medication prevents enzymes in the body from breaking down fat. Consequently, fat passes through the intestines without being absorbed in the body. The drug can reduce the rate of fat absorption by 30%, which leads to weight loss. The downside of this drug is that it may prevent the absorption of other nutrients such as vitamins. Orlistat also increases bowel movements and causes an oily discharge.
Contrave
Capital OTC recently featured an article on Contrave, touting it as one of the effective medications for obesity. Contrave has recently been approved by the FDA after years of intense research on its effectiveness. The drug helps in weight loss by reducing food cravings and hunger. The drug contains naltrexone that blocks some receptors in the brain, which in turn reduces cravings. It also contains bupropion that reduces appetite.
Phentermine
Phentermine has been used for many years to curb obesity. Phentermine works as an appetite suppressant. It is part of the fenfluramine-phentermine combination (“fen-phen”). Using phentermine alone may lead to serious side effects not associated with the full fen-phen combination. Hence, doctors recommend that patients use the full combination to reduce the side effects.
Liraglutide (Saxenda)
This FDA-approved medication activates the GLP-1 receptors in the brain. The activation leads to a delay in moving food into the intestines. The drug also controls an individual’s appetite. The overall effect is a lower appetite and a feeling of fullness after meals. Some of the side effects associated with Liraglutide include constipation, indigestion, flatulence, heartburn, and diarrhea, among others.
Sibutramine (Meridia)
The drug has also been used for a long time as a prescription for obesity. The drug is an appetite suppressant, so it reduces the number of calories that the patient consumes in a day. The advantage of this prescription is that it can be used for a long time with minimal side effects.
Conclusion
Sometimes the only option for morbidly obese persons to lose weight is through medical treatments. If you do decide to go in this direction, it is advisable to consult your doctor before using any of these prescriptions. It is important to combine the medications with other weight strategies such as exercise and a lifestyle change to avoid regaining the weight.
