Many people who have a weight problem seek help from their doctors and get prescription diet pills. They are actually medications and not supplements. You have to remember that these pills will not cure the obesity problem on their own. You still need to follow a proper, nutritious and healthy diet plan and also do physical activity on a daily basis. When combining prescription diet pills with a diet plan and exercise you should be able to lose and maintain your weight over a long period of time.
Let's get into the pros and cons of prescription diet pills.
Prescription Diet Pills – What Are They?
Not everyone should use prescription diet pills. If you have a body mass index of 30 or more and have no obesity related conditions or if you have a body mass index of 27 or more with obesity related conditions then you can take prescription diet pills.
There are two different types of pills you may be prescribed by your physician. You will either take an appetite suppressant pill or a fat absorption inhibitor pill. Didrex, sanorex, mazanor, tenuate, adipex-p, ionamin, meridia, and bontril are some of the more popular appetite suppressants. These pills will decrease your appetite by increasing the chemicals that affect your appetite and mood. These chemicals are known as serotonin and catecholamine. You can get appetite suppressants in either a capsule or an extended release capsule.
Fat absorption inhibitor pills block dietary fat from being absorbed. You have to remember that every person is different when it comes to weight loss; some people will lose weight faster than others.
Pros of Prescription Diet Pills
There are a few benefits of taking prescription diet pills. Your physician will be involved with your weight loss and will be able to monitor every step of the way. On a short term basis these pills will help improve your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, fat levels, and your resistance to insulin. You can lose anywhere from 5 – 22 more pounds than if you didn’t take the prescription pills. Also, taking these pills will reduce any of the risks that come with being obese. There is not much evidence to support the long-term benefits of prescription diet pills.
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Cons of Prescription Diet Pills
There are many risks to consider before taking prescription diet pills. Like any prescribed medication you could become addicted to the diet pills. You may become tolerant to the pills and hit a bump in your weight loss. Some people may hit this bump and up their dosage without consulting their doctors. You may even experience mild or severe side effects to the medications. They may improve as your body gets used to these pills or they can continue for as long as you take them.
Some common side effects of prescription diet pills are: increased heart rate, sweating, constipation, increased blood pressure, insomnia, drowsiness, lightheadedness, always feeling thirsty, headaches, stuffy nose, anxiety, and dry mouth.
Conclusion
Prescription diet pills may make sense for some people who are struggling to lose weight. Generally, your doctor will only turn to these diet pills if you've shown an inability to lose weight over a period of time. Your doctor will almost always recommend diet and exercise changes before diet pills.
When considering prescription diet pills, talk over the pros and cons with your doctor. Take time to think it over before making a decision. The first diet pill your doctor prescribes may not work for you, so be honest with them if you don't feel you're seeing the intended results. The sooner you can switch to a different medication, the sooner you can see real results.
Always talk to a doctor before making any decisions that could negatively impact your health. Eating more fruit and exercising more won't have any negative consequences, but taking diet pills very well could. Avoid over-the-counter diet pills as well without talking to a doctor.
- Fresh, Never-Frozen Meals: A new menu of 30+ dietitian-designed options every week.
- Cooked to Perfection: Prepared by gourmet chefs and delivered fresh to you.
- Zero Prep, No Mess: Just heat and enjoy in minutes.
The content of this article should not be taken as professional medical advice. Always consult with a physician before making decisions that have an impact on your health or your family's health. Practice due diligence when it comes to matters pertaining to your health or your family's health.
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