Slimming pills use to be a fad in the past decades but since a few years back, the news of problems arising from the use of certain chemicals to reduce weight has caused it to be such a taboo. A few medications were taken off the market, although some still remained.
There are many types of drugs used for slimming. It will depend on how it acts to reduce weight. Reductyl is one of the commonest drugs used for appetite suppression. Perhaps it is the only slimming drug still allowed in the market due to the fact that the other drugs have found to cause some severe side effects to patients. I always believe that medication taken without the proper advice and the wrong way will cause side effects. So, if you intend to use this drug, perhaps you should know a few things about it first and consult your professional medical advisor.
Reductyl is an appetite suppressing drug. It acts in the higher centers of the brain making the person feel full. The drug is taken everyday in the morning and over a week, there will be noticeable weight loss due to reduce food intake. In fact, the manufacturers guarantee a 4 kilo loss a month if used well. Most people taking reductyl would feel less depressed, perhaps it has something to do with the satiety feeling. However, this drug is not for everyone. People with uncontrolled hypertension is a major contraindication because it can elevate BP. People with bipolar mood disorders or manic episodes are not advised because it has been found to increase manicity. Other side effects would include mood swings, palpitations and insomnia. Which is why it is crucial to be under a physicians care while using this drug rather just buy it over the pharmacy counter.
I do have patients on reductyl and I have found the results promising. Coupled with proper diet and physical activity advice, the weight loss is sustained better. It has been discovered that you can safely use this drug continuously for up to 2 years although normally I would prescribe for 3 months.
Another group of slimming drugs would be the fat inhibitors. These are drugs that inhibit fat absorption from the gut into the system. The medical drug is called Orlistat, whilst over the counter you can find a lot of pharmacies selling chitosan which gives a similar effect. Orlistat is perhaps the most safest slimming drug available as it does not absorb into the gut. This is also the drug of choice when dealing with teenage obesity. However, there are a few drawbacks. First for most is the flatulence and bloatiness problem because it accumulates all the fat in the gut for excretion. Secondly, there is a problem of liquid fat leaking from the backside, and this can be socially limiting to the person. We do recommend the use of cotton pads whilst on the medication, however men find this a bit awkward. Other side effects would be floating stools and foul smelling stools. If used well, it may bring a reduction of up to 5 kiloes a month, depending on diet. Most people on Orlistat would abstain from fatty foods because it makes the leaking worst.
There are other drugs in the market but most taken off the counter already, so there's no point to mention them. Slimming medications used the correct way does harbour good results, but you need to be under a physician's care who understands well the usage of these medications and the side effects that follow.
