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Prescription weight loss medicines are given to you by your doctor. They can help obese people lose weight. They are usually used when diet and exercise alone are not working. People who use these medicines may not feel as hungry. Or they may feel full after eating only a small amount of food. Another type of medicine makes it harder for your body to absorb fat. Prescription weight loss drugs can be helpful when used in combination with a low-calorie diet and regular physical activity.

Prescription weight-loss medicines are only for people who are obese. Most of these medicines are designed for people who weigh 20% or more above what is ideal for their height and body type. Or they are used with people who have a high body mass index (BMI). The BMI is a measure of your weight in relation to your height. Your doctor may prescribe you medicine to treat your obesity if you have:

Your doctor can tell you if prescription weight-loss medicines might be helpful for you.

Prescription weight-loss medicines generally work in 2 ways. Most work in your body to make you less hungry or feel full faster. One FDA-approved medicine works in your digestive tract. It blocks the amount of fat your body can absorb. Some medicines are approved only for a short period of time, usually no more than 12 weeks. Others can be used long-term.

The following are medicines currently approved by the FDA for weight loss. Also included is information on how they work, common side effects, and warnings for each.

Orlistat is also available in a lower dose without a prescription. That over-the-counter medicine is called Alli. Orlistat is the only medicine of its kind to be approved in the U.S.

The following medicines make you feel less hungry or full faster. They share common side effects, including constipation, dizziness, dry mouth, diarrhea, and nausea. Additional side effects are listed for each medicine.

There are other medicines that can reduce your desire to eat. These include:

These medicines are only FDA-approved to be used short-term, up to 12 weeks. They have some side effects, too. These include:

You should not use these medicines if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, hyperthyroidism, or glaucoma. You should tell your doctor if you have anxiety or mood disorders before using these medicines.

In rare cases, some weight-loss medicines can cause seriousliverinjury. Call your doctor right away if you notice symptoms of liver injury, including:

Some weight-loss supplements containing ephedra, ephedrine, orcaffeineare available without a prescription (over the counter). It is not known whether these medicines are safe. Such supplements have been linked to reports ofheartattack, seizure,stroke,and death. It is important to talk to your doctor if you are taking or are considering taking an over-the-counter weight-loss supplement.

There is no easy cure for being overweight. Prescription weight-loss medicines can help you get off to a good start. But once you stop taking them, the weight you lost may come back. To keep the weight off, you must eat ahealthy dietand bephysically activeon a regular basis. You must continue these healthy habits even after you stop taking the medicine. Remember that losing weight and keeping it off is a lifelong effort.

If you decide weight-loss medicines arent right for you, you can still meet your weight-loss goals. Its important to develop healthy eating habits. But dont expect to change everything overnight. Start by training yourself to eat without doing anything else at the same time. For example, dont eat while you watch TV. Focus on what youre eating. Try to eat slowly.

Next, change what and how much you eat. Your doctor can help you create a low-calorie diet plan that will help you lose weight.

It is also important to be physically active. A good goal for many people is to work up to exercising for at least 30 minutes, 4 to 6 times a week. Regular exercise helps you burn calories faster, even when you are sitting still. Exercise also helps you burn fat and build muscle.

Aerobic exercise raises your heart rate and helps you burn calories. Aerobic exercises include swimming, brisk walking, jogging, and bicycling. Anaerobic exercise, such as weight training, is also good because it addsmusclemass to your body. Muscle burns calories faster than fat.

Be sure to check with your family doctor before you begin an exercise program. He or she can help you create an exercise plan that will help you meet your goals.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight and Obesity

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Healthy Weight

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Prescription Weight-loss Medicines - familydoctor.org

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Home » Lose Weight » Prescription Weight-loss Medicines – familydoctor.org