Medication for Obesity

Prescription weight-loss medication
It's best to lose weight through a healthy diet and regular exercise. But if you're among those who struggle to lose weight and the excess weight has produced medical problems, prescription weight-loss drugs may be able to help you.

Your doctor may consider you a candidate for medication treatment if these criteria apply:

• Other methods of weight loss haven't worked for you.
• Your body mass index (BMI) is greater than 27 and you have medical complications of obesity, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea.
• Your BMI is greater than 30.

Two prescription drugs have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for long-term weight loss. These drugs work in different ways and cause different side effects.

• Sibutramine (Meridia). This drug changes your brain chemistry, making you feel full more quickly. Though sibutramine generally helps you lose more weight than you could through diet and exercise alone, it's no magic bullet. Studies have shown that after a year, sibutramine users lost an average of about 10 pounds more than did people simply following a low-calorie diet and taking a placebo. Side effects can include increased blood pressure, headache, dry mouth, constipation and insomnia.
• Orlistat (Xenical). This drug prevents the absorption of fat in your intestines. Unabsorbed fat is eliminated in the stool. Average weight loss with orlistat is modest — about 6 pounds after one year. Side effects associated with the drug include oily and frequent bowel movements. Because orlistat blocks absorption of some nutrients, your doctor will recommend that you also take a multivitamin. The FDA has approved a reduced-strength version of orlistat (Alli) to be sold without a prescription. This medication works the same as prescription-strength orlistat and is meant only to supplement — not replace — a healthy diet and regular exercise.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/obesity/DS00314/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs