Prescription Weight Loss Drugs

Obesity is a growing epidemic in America, with roughly 34 percent of Americans qualifying as obese, and another 34 percent overweight according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s Fast Stats.
According to the CDC, "Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer, and type 2 diabetes."

To qualify for use of anti-obesity medications, you have to have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or greater (BMI of 30 or more is considered obese), or a BMI of 27 or above with serious health conditions such as hypertension or diabetes resulting from the obesity.

For individuals battling obesity, sometimes diet and exercise aren't enough. Eric Colman, FDA's deputy director of metabolic and endocrinology products division states that, "On average, individuals who use weight loss drugs lose about 5 percent to 10 percent of their original weight, though some will lose less and some more."

The most commonly prescribed anti-obesity medications are:

Tenuate, the brand name for d iethylpropion, works by suppressing the appetite. According to DietSpotlight, Tenuate is " known as sympathomimetic amine and is stated to stimulate the central nervous system."
DietSpotlight also reports that side effects include " increase blood pressure, cause dizziness, depression, restlessness, dry mouth, upset stomach, anxiety and sometimes cause vomiting." RxList also lists " High doses may result in hallucinations; toxic psychosis is also possible" as side effects of the medication.

Symlin, the brand name for pramlintide, is an injectable medication currently only available to diabetics. It delays gastric emptying, prolonging feelings of satiety, according to Drugs.com. Side effects include, " severe nausea that lasts for 3 to 7 days; or more frequent high blood sugar levels. Less serious side effects may include: runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough; nausea, loss of appetite; headache, tired feeling; or joint pain."

Orlistat, listed under brand name Xenical (and available in a lower dose in over the counter Alli), works differently than the other weight-loss medications. According to the official Xenical site, " Unlike other weight-loss drugs you may have heard about that act in the brain or central nervous system to suppress appetite or to speed up metabolism, XENICAL works in your digestive system to block about one-third of the fat in the food you eat from being digested." The fat that Xenical prevents your body from absorbing is eliminated through bowel movements.
Orlistat's main side effect is loose stools resulting from the excess fat eliminated through bowel movements. While most people only experience this side effect for a few weeks, Xenical can cause this side effect for up to six months.

Several drugs are currently in testing for release as anti-obesity drugs, so the market will likely increase in the near future.

CDC: Obesity and Overweight for Professionals: Data and Statistics: US Obesity Trends