Weight Loss Pills

Obesity is a problem that was thought to affect only the developed world. However, today it is a global problem affecting millions of people in developing countries including India. Besides being a cosmetic issue, it is associated with grave health-related problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and arthritis.

The first and most important step towards treatment of obesity includes changes in lifestyle with diet modification and exercise. Obesity is measured using body mass index (BMI). If a person has a BMI of greater than 30 kg/m2 and does not lose weight with diet modifications and exercise, he is recommended weight loss pills. Weight loss pills are also prescribed for patients with a BMI of 25 to 30 kg/m2 if they suffer from illness associated with weight gain. Patients with very high BMI are advised to undergo bariatric surgery.


Earlier, one of the treatment methods to burn calories and reduce excess fat was the use of thyroid hormone. However, this method is no longer advised for the treatment of obesity because of its serious side effects.  Currently, drugs such as phenteramine are approved for short-term use and drugs such as sibutramine and orlistat are approved for long-term use.

Health Animation - Bariatric Surgery

Quiz on Obesity

There are a number of other weight loss products available online or sold over the counter in health food stores and pharmacies. Although claimed to be.safe, many of these so called safe diet pills and herbal supplements may not be reliable. The FDA has blacklisted 72 tainted weight loss products and has advised consumers not to use these products. A list of these pills and supplements is available on the FDA website:

http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/
PressAnnouncements/2009/ucm149547.htm

http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/
Consumers/QuestionsAnswers/ucm136187.htm

Some of the products in the above list claim to be herbal products or diet supplements but actually contain drugs in quantities higher than that approved for use by FDA. Hence patients are advised to consult a doctor before taking any weightloss pills or supplements.