Obesity is a big problem in the United States
Anyone who has had a weight issue or tried to slim down knows how difficult losing weight can be. In order to do so, some people go to extremes that can put them in danger of life-threatening side effects. There are several medications which claim quick weight loss, most with a hefty price tag attached. Included within this class of medications are herbal supplements. As more and more people search for the best, fastest-working weight loss medication, it is important to understand which ones work and at what cost, both financially and physically.
Prescription Stimulants
The most popular type of "quick-fix" weight loss medications are stimulants. These drugs have the same components as amphetamines, and they suppress appetite by speeding up the central nervous system. According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common stimulant medication prescribed for weight loss, phentermine (or its brand name, "Adipex") works well while taken on a regular basis, but once use is discontinued the weight will quickly be gained again.
These drugs also pose serious side effects, including increased blood pressure, rapid heart beat, blurred vision, anxiety, agitation, nausea, hyperactivity, confusion and insomnia. In obese patients, stimulants are not as widely prescribed because their heart may already be working harder due to the extra weight.
Over-the-Counter Stimulants
You do not need a prescription to obtain stimulant weight-loss medication. Herbal supplements such as ginseng and Ma Huang are natural stimulants; like their prescription cousins, they suppress the appetite by speeding up the central nervous system. According to herbs.org, herbal stimulants pose potential side effects that could damage the body if you are sensitive to prescription stimulants or caffeine. Herbal stimulants can also create stomach ailments for many. If you are taking an herbal supplement and are experiencing negative side effects, discontinue its use immediately.
Herbal stimulants are not the only over-the-counter weight loss medications used. Dexatrim, within the same class, has been used for years with the same outcome as the others; once use is discontinued, the weight is gained again.
Psychotropic Weight Loss Medication
As discontinuing the stimulant medications results in gaining the weight back, the need for a more effective weight loss medication became imperative. The answer came in a medication called "Meridia." Meridia, like its antidepressant cousins, is a reuptake inhibitor. As most antidepressants work on the chemical in the brain called serotonin, Meridia works on serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. This results in the patient feeling full faster and hungry less often. The drug, however, is not without its side effects. According to drugs.com, these include weakness, restless feeling, confusion, anxiety, agitation, fever, overactive reflexes, sweating, vomiting, tremors, and several others.
The herb hoodia is a newer herbal supplement and it possesses a reaction similar to meridian by its effects on the brain. Hoodia seems to sedate the mind and causes the patient to feel less hungry and get fuller much faster than normal.
Fat Blocker Weight Loss Medications
One of the most common and safely used weight loss medications is the chemical orlisatat. Orlistat hit the market as "Xenical" and was originally only available with a prescription. The drug works by blocking a percentage of the fat a person ingests, which is later expelled through defecation. The drug, however, can cause loose bowel movements and even incontinence if too much fat is consumed. It does not interact with the nervous system or the brain, and in that way is safer than other weight loss medications. It is so safe, in fact, that it is the only FDA-approved weight loss medication available without a prescription.
Conclusion
Clearly, the desire to lose weight quickly is a serious issue. Many desire to use the fastest methods, even though they will most likely gain the weight back. Instead of a quick fix, a more permanent way to lose weight and keep it off is by diet and exercise. This method is the best way to lose weight as well as boost self-esteem and help with sleep and overall well-being.
