Defination
These drugs used to treat obesity designed or intended to prevent obesity or reduce the incidence of obesity called anti-obesity.
Preventing obesity in adults involves regular physical activity, a decrease in saturated fat intake, a decrease in sugar consumption, and an increase in fruit and vegetable consumption. In addition, family and healthcare professional involvement may help to maintain a healthy weight.
Which hormone is responsible for obesity?
Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate processes in our body. They are one factor in causing obesity. The hormones leptin and insulin, sex hormones and growth hormone influence our appetite, metabolism (the rate at which our body burns kilojoules for energy), and body fat distribution.
How drugs work??
Anti-obesity medication or weight loss medications are pharmacological agents that reduce or control weight. These medications alter one of the fundamental processes of the human body, weight regulation, by altering either appetite, or absorption of calories. The main treatment modalities for overweight and obese individuals remain dieting and physical exercise.
Anti-obesity approved drugs
By the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) include:
- Orlistat (Alli, Xenical)
- Phentermine and topiramate (Qsymia)
- Bupropion and naltrexone (Contrave)
- Liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza)
What drugs decrease appetite?
Some examples of prescription appetite suppressants include: benzphetamine, diethylpropion, mazindol and phentermine.
These medications generally come in the form of tablets or extended-release capsules.
Side effects
The most common side effects are gastrointestinal and include diarrhea, fecal incontinence, oily spotting, flatulence, bloating, and dyspepsia.
Work of anti-obesity drugs
- Increase of the body’s metabolism.
- Interference with the body’s ability to absorb specific nutrients in food.
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