Are Prescription Pills Effective in Reducing
Weight Among Obese Patients?
Do Prescription Weight Loss Drugs Work?
Prescription weight loss medications are
usually effective when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise
program.
Xenical (Orlistat) and Meridia
(Sibutramine) weight loss drugs are moderately effective, leading to an
average weight loss of 5 to 22 pounds over a 1 year period.
This is higher than for typical non-drug
treatments. However, the response to these weight loss medications is
based on each individual, and some people experience more weight loss
than others.
Likewise, there is no one correct dose
for these drugs. Your doctor will decide what works best for you based
on his or her evaluation of your medical and weight status and your response
to treatment.
Some people have lost more than 10 percent
of their initial body weight with the help of prescription weight loss
drugs. This is a large enough amount to reduce the risk of high blood
pressure, diabetes and other obesity-related health complications. Patients
generally experience a maximum weight loss within 6 months of starting
weight-loss-drugs treatment.
Over the short term, weight loss due to
prescription drugs may reduce a number of health risks in obese individuals.
However, there are few studies to determine the effects of these weight
loss drugs over the long term.
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