Is taking weight-loss drugs right for you?
Slimming down has the double benefit of reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease and controlling high blood sugar, which makes weight-loss drugs sound like an appealing option for people with diabetes.
While it's not possible to lose pounds just by popping a pill (you still have to exercise and eat a low-fat diet), two weight loss drugs can help if diet and exercise aren't enough. A recent German study even found that one of them, orlistat (Xenical), lowered blood sugar after eating, reducing the need for glucose-controlling medication.
Still, doctors advise approaching diet pills with caution. Orlistat, which works by blocking fat absorption in the intestines, can cause a range of unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects including having to defecate more often, fecal incontinence, and oily stools. The other common weight-loss drug, an appetite suppressant called sibutramine (Meridia), often causes headaches, dry mouth, and constipation. More important, it raises blood pressure in some people and shouldn't be used if you have hypertension. Other weight-loss drugs have been taken off the market because of concerns that they may cause heart-valve abnormalities. Check with your doctor to see if weight-loss drugs are appropriate for you.
While it's not possible to lose pounds just by popping a pill (you still have to exercise and eat a low-fat diet), two weight loss drugs can help if diet and exercise aren't enough. A recent German study even found that one of them, orlistat (Xenical), lowered blood sugar after eating, reducing the need for glucose-controlling medication.
Still, doctors advise approaching diet pills with caution. Orlistat, which works by blocking fat absorption in the intestines, can cause a range of unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects including having to defecate more often, fecal incontinence, and oily stools. The other common weight-loss drug, an appetite suppressant called sibutramine (Meridia), often causes headaches, dry mouth, and constipation. More important, it raises blood pressure in some people and shouldn't be used if you have hypertension. Other weight-loss drugs have been taken off the market because of concerns that they may cause heart-valve abnormalities. Check with your doctor to see if weight-loss drugs are appropriate for you.
1 comments:
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