Prescription Appetite Suppressant: Myths And Facts

Obesity can be described as accumulation of excess fat in our body well to hinder the normal activities. When the Body Mass Index (BMI) becomes 30Kg/m2 or higher, the condition is scientifically recognized as obesity. Obese people are prone to develop several serious medical conditions – high blood pressure, diabetes, hormonal imbalance, arthritis, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness among many others. There are various methods to reduce obesity. Prescription appetite suppressant is one of them.

Our appetite is controlled by the central nervous system. An area of brain called ‘satiety center’ present in the Hypothalamus is the control center. When food enters our stomach, an enzyme called Cholecystokinin-Pancreozymin (CCK-PZ) is secreted from the pancreas. It can sense the presence of food in the gastrointestinal system. It then sends some complex signals to the center that our body has received food. The center acknowledges it and sends back another signal to the rest of the body that our stomach is ‘full’.

Now, these signals are carried by sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves present in our body. The signal is carried by some neurotransmitters in between two nerve endings. The neurotransmitters are serotonin, dopamine and nor-adrenaline. Prescription appetite suppressants act by modifying the action of these transmitters.

Prescription appetite suppressants are meant for short time use. That means you can use these drugs for a limited period of time, that too under close supervision of a doctor.

Only medication that was once used for long term use (up to 12 months) was Desfenfluramine. Although it is a FDA approved drug, the company manufacturing this medicine is withdrawing the product in a phased manner owing to possible risk of valvular heart disease. The concurrent use of more than one appetite suppression is not recommended.

Prescription appetite suppressants are not for everybody. When your target is to cut only 5-10 pounds, they are not the right choice. But when you are morbidly obese (BMI > 30), they can be of good help. Although some of the prescription appetite suppressants have potential health hazards, using them in morbid obesity overpowers the risk factors of different diseases caused due to obesity.

Short term use of these medicines is useful in controlling high blood pressure, decrease insulin resistance (as in Type II diabetes) and in high cholesterol level in blood.

Another factor that has to be considered is development of tolerance to the appetite suppressants. Initially, there will be marked reduction in the overall appetite. But as the days of treatment progresses, response to the medicines fades away.

The effect of appetite suppressants can be different among people. Two persons using the same preparation may experience different results. Moreover, these medications are classified under a group called Amphetamines. This is a group of medicines to control our mood. If the appetite suppressants are used indiscriminately, there will be unexpected changes in your mood. This is a serious complication and requires urgent medical help.

Following is a list of common prescription appetite suppressants:

• Dexfenfluramine (Redux)
• Phentermine (Fastin, Oby-trim, Adipex-P)
• Diethylpropion (Dospan, Tenuate)
• Phendimetrazine (Plegine, Bontril, Prelu-2)

While buying over the counter prescription appetite suppressants, you should consider the facts that are discussed here. Otherwise, you may land up in trouble. Or simply choose safer, herbal alternatives, like Hoodia.