ANTI OBESITY MEDICATION
FACTS
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Currently no safe effective medicine is available for fat loss.
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Because of the individual body composition, the medicines don't have any noticeable effect or they become addictive.
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The weight loosing properties ,as side effects of several hormonal preparations (Thyroxin ,a thyroid hormone) and non hormonal drugs like metformin (anti diabetic) are being misused by many, but it is very harmful.
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Certain medicines acting on brain, which can decrease appetite are also available but not without adverse side effects.
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Certain medicines which claim to increase basal metabolic rate of body are safe but the results are neither consistent nor medically proved.
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Medicines acting as bulk laxatives like 'isapgol' can be helpful to some extent.
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Certain drugs are available ,which when taken just before major meals, can delay/prevent absorption to some extent ,of sugars and fats in food. These drugs are safe but very costly.
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A small percentage of patients where the weight gain is because of hormonal problem will benefit with the 'replacement hormone therapy'. Example is ,in cases of obesity due to under activity of thyroid gland, replacement therapy with thyroid hormone will drastically lead to weight loss towards normalcy.
Research is underway ,and soon effective and safe, ayurvedic and allopathic drugs may be available for weight reduction.
LIMITATIONS OF ANTI OBESITY DRUG THERAPY
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MOST OF DRUGS ARE VERY TOXIC.
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SAFER ONES ARE VERY COSTLY.
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DO NOT GIVE PERMANENT RESULTS.
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CAN CAUSE DEPENDENCY.
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CAN EFFECT MENTAL ALERTNESS AND THUS UNSAFE AT DRIVING AND WORK.
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IF NOT COMBINED WITH EXERCISE ,MAY NOT PREVENT DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH OBESITY AND SEDENTARY LIFE STYLES LIKE HEART ATTACKS, DIABETES, HYPERTENSION.
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ONLY FAT LOSS WITHOUT MUSCLE TONING MAY LEAD TO SAGGING OF SKIN.
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CAUSES NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES ,WEAKNESS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS.
CONCLUSION
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Currently drug therapy as a tool for weight reduction is not medically acceptable except in special circumstances.
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It treats superficially and does not give permanent results, and thus can not be recommended.