Weight Loss Medications

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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!

Specializes in Home Care, Hospice, OB.

i briefly tried the fat-blockers a few years ago.."oily anal leakage" is the nicest possible way to explain the effect...:uhoh3:

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:

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:

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

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.

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