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Are all drugs for weight loss safe?

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
 
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12 October 2012, 19:41

Preparations for non-surgical treatment of obesity are pharmacological agents that control or reduce weight. It performs the function of weight regulation by changing metabolism, appetite or assimilation of calories.

However, the use of these drugs poses a certain risk to the patient's health and before you begin therapy you should be aware of their side effects.

  • Phentermine and topiramate

To study the effectiveness of the combination of these two drugs, scientists conducted a randomized study. During the experiment, one group of participants took a combination of these drugs, and the second - a placebo. Experts have found that drugs really reduce the weight of patients. Compared to the placebo group, patients who took phentermine and topiramate were able to lose 9% more weight. However, in addition to weight loss, experts found that drugs have a negative effect on the cardiovascular system, and can also cause congenital defects in children. Despite the fact that the weight of the patients was leaving, the Food and Drug Administration failed to approve these drugs as an effective way to combat excess weight.

  • Bupropion and naltrexone

Bupropion is an antidepressant of the second generation and has nothing to do with weight loss. In the composition of diet pills, he plays the role of "promoter" of mood. This drug is effective in combating smoking because of its antidepressant effect, so that the former smoker is not so tormented by manifestations of weaning from cigarettes. Like most antidepressants, this drug gives side effects: increased excitability or vice versa, drowsiness, dry mouth, abdominal pain, tremor of the extremities.

The second drug causes blockade of opiate receptors, due to which it is successfully used in the treatment of alcohol and drug addicts. Its side effects: nausea, depression, holoana pain, sleep disorders, anxiety and much more. In clinical trials, people taking Contrave, which included bupropion and naltrexone, lost an average of only 4.2% more weight than those taking placebo. These indicators were too small for the Food and Drug Administration to approve. Therefore, whether it is worth taking such an explosive mixture is up to you.

  • Phentermine, 5-hydroxytryptophan and carbidop

Phentermine and 5-hydroxytryptophan are used as supplements that suppress appetite and sleep. According to studies, these drugs prescribed to their patients about 20% of doctors, despite the fact that their effects have not been studied to the end. While there is no definitive data on the side effects of these drugs, it is still known that this combination can cause a rapid heartbeat, raise blood pressure and provoke inflammation of the skin.

trusted-source[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]

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