Published
I have some patients coming to me asking about weight loss medications; prescriptions as well as the fad ones sold on television. What information should I provide that lets them know that they are not safe? I know that they speed up the metabolism, cause heart palpitations and such, but don't have much solid information, nor do I know what drugs the physicians actually prescribe for their clients.
Please let me know. Thanks, all!
phentermine 37.5mg 1qd or 1bid, You lose weight and your stomach shrinks so much that when you finish up your 2 months, you have to eat many small meals a day. Also, b12 injections once a week helps with speeding up metabolism. Most people I know that go to this diet clinic have lost 10-20lbs in the 2 months and have kept it off. I'm not sure as far as what comordities that you have to have to not be able to take this. I have none and I've had no side effects except I split my tablet and take half in morning and half around lunch time, otherwise you have such a burst of enery you have a hard time burning it unless it a good workout day. Tell me if you've heard any horror stories. Alot of GP's will prescribe it for up to 2 months. I know alot of people on it and have not heard of anything negative happening, cardiac, psych or anything else. This would be a great drug for nighttime workers to stay awake and be very, very, very productive without the heart palpatations or abnormal thinking.
Phentermine, it take over a long perior of time, can lead to mitral valve or (any heart valve) problems. It a controlled subsance it is highly likely to be abused and assoicated w addictions! Be wary:down:
Basically, I try to explain to the patients that portioning food, increase in water and movement will be better than the medications. The problem I was having was explaining WHY the fads were not advisable (outside of fast weight gain after completion of their regimen) and what medications are actually being prescribed.
I really appreciate all of the contributions to this thread; I feel more empowered on what to focus on when counseling them.
BlueRidgeHomeRN
829 Posts
i briefly tried the fat-blockers a few years ago.."oily anal leakage" is the nicest possible way to explain the effect...
finally tried a southbeach approach at md's suggestion to dh and me--tons of veggies, fish, berries, and walking. down 6 lbs and 1 pant size in 2 weeks, actually looking forward to my physical this friday (labs drawn yesterday). i have learned a bunch of new recipes, am saving $$ my cooking at home and bringing leftovers for lunch, and feel better. not a plug for the "official" program, just what is working for us--without ever being truly hungry--really!!:pumpiron: