Slimming pills are different from the regular medicines you may take for emergency use. These medications contain ingredients that produce some medical effects to ease your hunger. Moreover, some of them increase your body’s metabolic rate. There are generally minor side effects. However, these tablets can be unhealthy if you take them for the long term for weight loss.
What are the different types of medications available for obesity?
Prescription obesity medications are available under different brand names. Nevertheless, they have the same active ingredients. Some of these medicines include Orlistat (Xenical®), lorcaserin hydrochloride (Belviq®), and phentermine-topiramate extended-release (Qsymia.
Orlistat
It is one of the few prescription medications approved by the FDA for weight loss. Orlistat blocks the enzyme responsible for absorbing some of your consumed fats. When you eat a meal containing fat, undigested fat leaves your body through your bowel movements.
It can bring effective results if taken as prescribed. Moreover, you have to follow a reduced-calorie diet and increase physical activity while using the drug. It can cause some after-effects. The side effects of these weight loss pills include-
- Gas
- Oily bowel movements
- An urgent call to go to the restroom
People with malabsorption syndrome should not use Orlistat. Malabsorption syndrome is a condition that makes it hard for the body to absorb nutrients. In addition, people who have had bowel or intestinal surgery, including bypass surgery, should avoid using this medication. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also avoid Xenical.
How does Orlistat work?
Orlistat is a lipase inhibitor. It works by blocking the enzyme responsible for breaking down fat and helps with weight loss. Without this enzyme, some of the fat you eat passes through your body without being fully digested and absorbed. As a result, it prevents your body from absorbing and storing these calories as body fat.
Benefits of Xenical
Managing body mass is usually gradual. However, you may notice changes in your bowel habits. You can take Orlistat with meals that contain fat. This medication should not be used by itself to help people treat obesity. Nevertheless, you can use it with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Side effects of Xenical
Some possible side effects of using Xenical for weight loss are-
- Stomach pain
- Gas with discharge
- An urgent need to go to your bathroom
- More frequent bowel movements than usual
If any of these effects continue or become bothersome, talk with your doctor. Your doctor may recommend another anti-obesity medication. However, sometimes he or she can also prescribe a treatment for your side effects.
Who should not use Orlistat?
Do not use this drug if you-
- Are under 18 years of age (21 in the UK) and have a body mass index (BMI) of less than 30kg/m 2
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have had an organ transplant, including a heart valve replacement
- Have a rare inherited disease, such as familial lipoprotein lipase deficiency; a genetic disorder may increase the risk of developing acute pancreatitis
- Are taking cyclosporine (to prevent organ-transplant graft rejection)
- Have a problem with your gallbladder, such as a stone or inflammation (cholecystitis), or you’ve had surgery to remove your gallbladder
- Don’t use this it for weight loss if are taking medication that contains rifampicin (to treat tuberculosis)
- Have a medical condition where you have too much fat in your blood (hypertriglyceridemia)
- Are taking medication containing ciclosporin or tacrolimus
Lorcaserin hydrochloride
Lorcaserin HCl is a selective serotonin receptor agonist. The FDA approved it on June 28, 2012, for obesity. This medication is marketed as Belviq and manufactured by Arena Pharmaceuticals.
How does lorcaserin work?
This medication works much like other obesity medications, such as Phentermine/Topiramate (Qsymia) and Sibutramine (Meridia). They gear up the quantity of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter. It is a compound herald used to communicate between cells. The increase in serotonin helps suppress appetite. Eventually, it reduces the feelings of hunger.
Benefits of lorcaserin hydrochloride
The main benefit of lorcaserin hydrochloride is that it reduces feelings of hunger, resulting in decreased food intake. As a result, it can help manage your body mass. Doctors prescribe to obese and overweight people (BMI 30 kg/m 2 or greater). Moreover, lorcaserin hydrochloride may also help with weight loss management for those struggling with obesity-related medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.
Some common side effects may include-
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Feeling sleepy during the daytime
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
More specifically, 15% of patients using this drug experience nausea. On the other hand, 12% reported headaches. The FDA has also reported that 10% of patients using lorcaserin hydrochloride experience dizziness.
Who should not use this anti-obesity tablet?
You should not use lorcaserin hydrochloride if you-
- Are already taking medications containing phentermine
- Have recently experienced heart problems
- Suffer from uncontrolled high blood pressure
In addition, you should also avoid this drug if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Consult your doctor before using lorcaserin in such cases.
Phentermine-topiramate
This pill is a combination medicine. Phentermine-topiramate may be used in adults who are obese (BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2) and have weight-related medical problems. These include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or high cholesterol. However, you have to implement a reduced-calorie diet and exercise regularly.
How does phentermine-topiramate work for weight loss?
This medication is an appetite suppressant. It works by decreasing your appetite and making you feel full. Moreover, phentermine-topiramate also increases the amount of energy used by your body, which may help you burn more calories. It is thought that the medicine’s effect on the brain chemical serotonin may play a role in decreasing appetite.
Side effects of this anti-obesity medicine
The most important thing to remember about taking phentermine-topiramate is that you must follow your doctor’s instructions. The most common side effects are-
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- Nausea
If you are bothered by these symptoms, check with your doctor about changing the dosage of your medicine.
At first, you may not be able to tell if phentermine-topiramate is working or not working for you. Therefore, you should weigh yourself every day and keep a diary to record your progress.
Who should not use this medication for weight loss?
Do not take phentermine-topiramate if you are pregnant. It may be devastating to the unborn baby. If you become heavy with a child while using this drug, contact your doctor right away. Moreover, do not use this tablet if you have glaucoma or hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland). Talk with your doctor about whether you are a candidate for this drug.
What are some other vital precautions of phentermine-topiramate?
Before taking this pill, let your doctor know if you have-
- Glaucoma
- Overactive thyroid
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Seizure disorder
- Mental illness
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Any allergies
This medicine may cause changes in heart rhythm or heart rate. Moreover, tell your doctor right away if you have a fast or irregular heartbeat while taking this medicine. Use caution when driving or doing anything that requires alertness after using phentermine-topiramate for weight loss. The reason being it may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or vision changes.
Do not stop taking phentermine-topiramate suddenly. Doing so can cause severe after-effects. If you need to discontinue the medication, your doctor will tell you how to stop taking it safely.
What are the tips to lose weight?
Eat breakfast
If you eat breakfast, your metabolism is accelerated up for the day. It is the key to losing weight. You should not skip meals. Otherwise, you will end up hungry, feeling sluggish, and less likely to exercise later on in the day. Along with using your pill, keep in mind not to skip breakfast. In addition, eat several small meals throughout the day instead of 3 large ones. It will keep your body energized for longer periods.
Exercise
Exercise 30 minutes a day, most days of the week (at least three if you can). There can be times when you do not have to go overboard. In such cases, you can take a brisk walk at lunchtime. It is an excellent way to give your metabolism a boost. However, if it is more convenient, try doing 15 minutes of exercise a day instead. You will still reap the benefits with respect to weight loss.
Get more sleep
Even if you are not having trouble sleeping, getting just one or two extra hours of shut-eye per night can help with your efforts. Sleep helps balance your hunger hormones (i.e., ghrelin and leptin). Eventually, you are less likely to feel hungry or crave junk food.
Use smaller plates, glasses, and utensils when eating your meals
Many pieces of studies have found that people who use smaller dishes consume fewer calories without realizing it.
Make activity a social event
You can do some things to carry on the physical activities. Invite friends over for a game of basketball, go for a walk with a significant other, or make it a family affair by going to the park for a hike together for the same purpose. Socializing will help you burn even more calories and help with weight loss.
Do not eat right before bed
About an hour before your regular bedtime, try shifting all of your eating activity towards the morning and early afternoon hours. In these times, your metabolism is the strongest. Doing so may help you burn more calories throughout the day. Your body expends energy to digest food and does other bodily functions such as breathing and circulating blood.
Have a glass of water prior to mealtime
Not only does this cause you to eat less. However, it also fills you up. It may assist you in controlling your hunger.
Fill your plate with low-calorie foods
If you are not sure of what to eat during meals, try filling half of your plate with vegetables and fruits. Consider the ones that are high in fibre. Not only will this help you slim down faster by providing bulk and reducing hunger pangs. However, it also provides essential vitamins and minerals that are the key to your overall health.
Work out while you watch TV
Try doing some exercises during the commercial breaks of an hour-long show. Therefore, you can exercise while you workout; it will help with weight loss.
Eat slowly, savouring each bite
It will help you feel full more quickly. Eventually, you will be satisfied with less food in fewer calories.
Watch your portions
When dining out at restaurants, choose the smallest size sandwich or salad being offered. Moreover, you can also share an entrée with a friend or ask for a to-go container when you first are seated. Doing so will help prevent overeating and save money.
Prepare your meals in advance
Each week on Sunday night or Monday morning, take stock of what you have in your kitchen and prepare a week’s worth of meals. This way, when it is time to eat, all you’ll have to do is heat up your meal and enjoy.
Drink green tea
Not only does this have zero calories. However, the antioxidants will help metabolize fat more efficiently.
Have fruit and veggies with each serving of food
If you’re not used to eating fruit and vegetables, try adding one to your breakfast and having another at lunch. Before you know it, you will be enjoying a variety of tasty low-calorie foods that will fill you up and nourish your body. Moreover, it will also help with weight loss.
Be active throughout the day
Instead of sitting for 4 or more hours during the day, try getting up every hour to stretch, walk around, and do some light exercises. However, if you work in an office setting, take a few minutes each hour to stand up and walk down the hallway. If you are stuck at home with kids all day, get them involved by doing household chores together (i.e., folding laundry, dusting, vacuuming).
