Obesity pills

In the modern world, excess weight is a common problem. Often, in order to bring the body back to normal, people resort to various folk and medicinal remedies that help reduce and subsequently control weight. Indeed, there are so-called obesity pills - drugs that can be based on several principles of action: dulling appetite, accelerating metabolic processes or blocking the absorption of food.

Indications for the use of obesity pills

The use of obesity pills is indicated for the following patients:

• people whose body mass index is equal to or exceeds 30, in the absence of contraindications to the use of such drugs;
• people whose body mass index is equal to or exceeds 27, and also have diseases caused by excess weight.

The body mass index demonstrates the correspondence between the patient's height and weight - it is used to accurately determine the deficiency, norm or excess of body weight. It is generally accepted that for females such an index should be in the range of 20-22, and for males - 23-25.

To find out your index, it is enough to make a few calculations:

• body weight in kilograms should be divided twice by height in meters;
• The resulting value corresponds to your index.

For example, your weight is 60 kg and your height is 1 m 65 cm. Divide 60 by 1.65 - we get 36.36. Divide this number by your height again: 36.36 divided by 1.65 - we get 22.03. This is your index.

Release form

Anti-obesity pills are most often presented in the form of enteric-coated capsules. Such capsules have a modified release, that is, the medicine must be stable and not disintegrate in the acid of the gastric juice, but be released only in the intestine. Capsules most often have an acid-resistant shell.

Capsules with medicine inside have many advantages over other dosage forms:

• they are attractive in appearance;
• they are easy to swallow;
• Thanks to the capsule, the medicine gets into exactly the part of the digestive tract where it needs to go.

Less commonly, you can find anti-obesity drugs presented in the form of solid tablets or granules.

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Pharmacodynamics of obesity pills

Most anti-obesity drugs reduce the absorption of lipids in the intestinal cavity. For example, drugs such as Orsoten, Orlistat and Xenical inhibit enzymes that break down fats. Due to this, fats cannot be absorbed and are excreted unchanged from the body with feces. Gradually, this causes a decrease in the intake of caloric food ingredients into the circulatory system and, accordingly, a decrease in body weight.

The pharmacodynamic properties of Reduksin, Goldline and Sibutramine are based on the central action of the drugs. The increase in the number of neurotransmitters in synaptic connections stimulates the central serotonin receptors and adrenoreceptors. As a result, a person's feeling of satiety becomes predominant, the need for the next meal decreases, and energy production in the body increases.

An indirect effect of sibutramine on brown adipose tissue, which is responsible for thermoregulation, is also observed.

Cellulose is often present among the additional substances in tablets. This is a sorbent substance that binds and removes toxic substances, microbes, end products of metabolism, allergens, etc. from the body, which additionally relieves and cleanses the body.

Pharmacokinetics of obesity pills

Sibutramine-based drugs are well absorbed in the digestive system (about 80%). Biotransformation occurs in the liver - two active metabolic substances are formed. If you take a single dose of the drug, the maximum content of the active component in the blood can be observed after 80 minutes, and the peak content of active metabolites - for 3-4 hours. Taking the drug on a full stomach reduces the active concentration of metabolic substances by 30% and extends the peak concentration phase by 3 hours. Food intake does not affect the rate of distribution of the drug in tissues.

Sibutramine and its metabolites are excreted through the urinary system within 16 hours.

Orlistat-based drugs (Orsothen, Xenical) have a therapeutic effect for 1-2 days from the start of administration. The same effect continues for 1-3 days after the end of the course of treatment. Orlistat is practically not absorbed into the systemic bloodstream, acting directly in the intestinal cavity and leaving the body with feces (at least 97%). A blood test conducted 8 hours after taking the drug did not show its presence in the circulatory system.

Names of obesity pills

Complex and advanced types of obesity are treated only under the supervision of specialists, since the treatment regimen usually includes potent drugs. Such drugs include drugs that dull the feeling of hunger and prevent the absorption of fats.

• Xenical tablets for obesity - prevent the absorption of fats in the lower digestive tract, as a result of which they leave the body with feces in an undigested form. Xenical acts directly on the digestive organs, inhibiting the production of enzymes - lipases, which participate in the breakdown of fats and promote their absorption. A very common drug. It is taken with food, 1 capsule per day (120 mg).

Usually, already on the second day from the beginning of treatment, particles of undigested fat can be detected in feces. During this period, it is advisable to eat low-fat and low-carbohydrate foods, since otherwise, intestinal disorders may develop.

• Orsothen is an analogue of Xenical, which we talked about above. The same active ingredient, the same principle of action, the same dosage. •
• Goldline (Sibutramine) is a drug that directly affects the central nervous system. By influencing the brain activity associated with the reflection of the feeling of satiety in the body, Goldline makes the brain think that it is full, and the patient ultimately does not feel hunger. In addition, this drug allows you to produce energy from your own reserves in the body, which only contributes to weight loss. Goldline is very effective in cases of regular overeating, as well as in patients with type II diabetes.

The course of treatment can be started with daily use of 10 mg of the drug, sometimes the dosage is increased to 15 mg per day. The duration of treatment is no more than three months, after which a break should be taken. •

• Reduksin is a complete analogue of Goldline (active component – Sibutramine).
• Lindaxa is a drug similar to Goldline, Reduksin (active ingredient – Sibutramine).

Method of administration and dosage

Anti-obesity medications based on orlistat (Orsothen, Xenical) are taken orally, with food. It is advisable to follow a balanced calorie diet during the treatment course, with no more than 30% of fat per day. Overeating is not recommended. The duration of the course and dosage are prescribed by a doctor. The standard dose is 1 capsule of the drug 1 to 3 times a day, but no more than 3 capsules per day.

Sibutramine-based products (Reduxin, Lindaxa, Goldline) are taken in the amount of 5-10 mg once daily. It is advisable to take the tablet (capsule) in the morning, without chewing, with a glass of water, regardless of food intake. The duration of treatment is determined by the doctor, but it is not recommended to take the drug for more than 90 days.

Treatment with obesity pills must be carried out by a medical specialist who has sufficient practical experience in the treatment of excess weight. The effect of treatment will be faster and more stable if the medication is combined with proper nutrition and dosed physical activity.

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Using obesity pills during pregnancy

Tablets and other medications for obesity are not recommended for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The fact is that the effect of the drugs has not yet been sufficiently studied to be completely sure that these drugs do not have a negative impact on the course of the gestation process, on the growing fetus, and during lactation - on the development of the child, as well as the completeness and quantity of breast milk. Moreover, during the course of treatment with drugs for obesity, women of childbearing age are recommended to use contraceptive medications or external contraception to exclude the possibility of pregnancy during the therapy.

Contraindications to the use of obesity pills

Before prescribing any medication for obesity, the doctor will definitely note the absence of contraindications to its use. In addition to pregnancy and lactation, such contraindications include:

• diabetes mellitus;
• hypertension;
• cardiac diseases;
• kidney pathologies;
• increased intraocular pressure;
• alcoholism and drug addiction;
• hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, endemic goiter;
• mental disorders, severe depressive states;
• headache of unknown origin;
• preparation for surgery using anesthesia;
• allergic tendency;
• childhood;
• chronic malabsorption syndrome, cholestasis;
• severe eating disorders (anorexia nervosa or bulimia).

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Side effects of obesity pills

Obesity medications can only be used for a short period of time. First, such medications lose their effectiveness if taken for more than a few weeks. Second, over time, unwanted side effects may appear:

• tachycardia (rapid heartbeat);
• increased blood pressure;
• increased sweating;
• intestinal disorders such as constipation;
• sleep disorders;
• headaches;
• nervous system disorders – unreasonable experiences, worries, etc.;
• dry mouth;
• menstrual cycle disorders in women;
• the addition of an infection in the respiratory or urinary tract;
• convulsions;
• allergic skin rashes.

Digestive disorders such as epigastric pain, bloating, and diarrhea are often observed. These symptoms are aggravated if high-fat foods are consumed during treatment.

Overdose

When taking an unreasonably large dose of obesity pills, the patient may experience the risk of developing side effects that are characteristic of a particular drug. In such cases, no special therapy is required, since there is no specific antidote for this situation. It is recommended to monitor the patient's condition for 24 hours after taking an excess dose. Symptomatic therapy may be used as indicated.

The usefulness of hemodialysis and forced diuresis procedures has not been established but is questionable.

Interactions with other drugs

Orlistat when taken together may lead to a decrease in the level of cyclosporine in the blood. If the drugs are taken together, there is a need to monitor the level of cyclosporine and adjust its dosage.

When orlistat derivatives are used concomitantly with anticoagulant drugs, it is recommended to monitor prothrombin time.

Orlistat and other tablets based on it reduce the bioavailability of fat-soluble vitamin substances - these are vitamins E, A, K, ergocalciferol and carotene. At least 2 hours should pass between the use of these drugs.

Orlistat and thyroid medications are taken under strict medical supervision. The same applies to iodine medications.

Sibutramine preparations should not be taken together with medications for the treatment of depressive disorders, with migraine medications (for example, sumatriptan, ergotamine), with strong painkillers (fentanyl, etc.), with medications that block the cough reflex.

It is highly recommended not to drink alcohol while taking obesity pills, as the consequences may be unpredictable.

Storage conditions

Anti-obesity drugs can be stored at temperatures from +15 to +25°C, out of reach of children.

The expiration date of such products must be checked against the information on the packaging: usually this period is from 2 to 3 years.

Reviews of obesity pills

Many users who have tried the effects of obesity pills on themselves often come to the conclusion that without changing the principles of nutrition and lifestyle, the effect of the drugs may not be so noticeable. Moreover, severe obesity should be treated only under the supervision of doctors, because self-treatment can affect the state of the cardiovascular and endocrine systems, digestive organs and musculoskeletal system - all systems that have become "accustomed" to extra pounds over many years and can fail as a result of sudden weight loss.

Besides this, there is another problem in treating obesity with pills.

Nowadays, there are many uncertified over-the-counter drugs that are offered to consumers on a massive scale via the Internet, advertising, mailings and custom reviews. The Ministry of Health strongly advises to be careful when using such untested products, as their safety and effectiveness are absolutely not guaranteed. It would be good if such pills turned out to be just useless “dummies”. But we should not forget that they can also cause harm.

In most cases, before buying supplements and pills for obesity, it is better to visit a doctor at least once and clarify information about a specific drug: how high-quality it is, whether it will suit you, what the dosage should be, etc. current questions. Do not be embarrassed by these questions: it is quite normal and logical if you think and care about your health.