How weight loss pills work?
Weight loss medications:
also called anti-obesity medicines,but they only work if calorie intake is also controlled, eating junk will counter their effect and you will end up saying these medicines are not working for me or will blame the prescriber that they don't know the medicine,Over the past few years FDA has approved weight loss drugs most of them works by reducing your appetite and food cravings so basically they control the number of calories take per day which eventually control your body weight. Appetite suppressants target serotonin and norepinephrine in this process, where serotonin makes you feel that your tummy is full while on the other hand nor epinephrine stimulates the CNS and decreases the appetite.
Who should use these medications?
A person having BMI greater than 27 along with other risk factors such as diabetes or higher cholesterol level or a person with BMI greater than 30 with no other risk factors are the best suitable candidates for these medications however criteria can be changed as well because prescribers avoid prescribing weight loss medications to the cardiac and hypertensive patients because these can be the side effects of these drugs.
Here is the list of some drugs that can be used in obese people for weight management
Liraglutide:
Liraglutide is sold under the brand name (Victoza) and in higher doses is used in patients with type 2 diabetes Mellitus.
Mechanism of action:
It works by acting centrally in the brain and gives you the feeling of fullness by releasing hormones that we discussed earlier
This medicine can be used for a longer period, however, if the patient feels no benefit within 16 weeks of its use then it's better to stop taking it and contact your doctor
Side effects: Lower blood pressure, suicidal thoughts, tachycardia (raised heart rate), gallbladder and kidney problems are the main side effects.
Orlistat:
Orlistat is sold under the brand name (Orlis), its working mechanism is bit different than others
Mechanism of Action:
It works by preventing the absorption of fat in the body that you eat.
Side effects:
Cramping, Oily stools, producing gas or flatulence, in rare cases it causes liver diseases also.
However, as it prevents the absorption of fats so you are advised to take fat-soluble vitamins supplements containing ( A, D, E, K) along with Orlis but these nutrient supplements should be taken 2 hours before or after taking Orlistat.
Orlistat may also help in maintaining blood pressure and diabetes when used along with other lifestyle changes
Semaglutide:
It is sold under the brand name(Ozempic), another prescription medicine
Mechanism of action:
It works the same way as a glucagon-like peptide or( GLP1) which is the hormone secreted in the gastrointestinal tract, this drug is combined with (GLP1) receptors in the brain, and while eating food or snacks this hormone sends signals to the brain, "my tummy can't take more"!
Semaglutide is an FDA-approved drug for diabetes similar to diabetes secretion of GLP1 in obese is also reduced so these drugs help obese people not to eat more than what they need
Side effects:
loss of appetite, stomach upset, heartburn, and constipation are common side effects
Caffeine:
It is a CNS stimulant drug most commonly used all over the world for its effect to keep you alert and active, It is most commonly found in green tea, chocolates, and the coffee
Working mechanism:
Now the question raises being a CNS stimulant how can it reduce your weight? I was wondering the same way well I wanna let you know it does not only keep you active but also boost your body metabolism and helps you burn more calories than you take by breaking down the body fats and that's how it helps you regulate your body weight because after all its all about the extra calories in your body!
Side effects:
Insomnia, anxiety, irritability
however here you need to keep one more thing in your mind that you do not need to take allopathic medicines having caffeine, just get a cup of coffee or green tea during day time as they not only contain caffeine but also many antioxidants, if you don't wanna take it alone you can invite me!
Should patients leave the medicine after losing weight?
you must consider obesity a chronic disease just like other chronic disorders such as hypertension and diabetes it may take a longer period of time to treat obesity so as you leave medicine after losing some weight you may regain it and the reason is after leaving medications your body won't be able to tell your brain that you have no need to eat in other way there wont be any 'i am full' signal in your body which will result in gaining weight again.
It's the same case as you can't leave medications after getting your blood pressure in the normal range because if you will do that you will face hypertension once again
However if during the treatment of obesity you have learned what is healthy to eat and you have improved your lifestyle then you can stop the medication too, it's all in your hand.
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