Prescription appetite suppressants – Are you the right candidate for them?

Appetite suppressants got the approval from FDA in 1959 and ever since their popularity has soured with every passing year. In USA, these are the most popular medication for weight loss, available by prescription. They suppress appetite and enhance chemicals within your brain that encourages satiety. Phentermine is the most extensively prescribed appetite suppressant nowadays, along with fastin, tenuate, adipex and ionamin. These supplements together contribute to million dollars yearly sales figures. 

Should you take prescription appetite suppressants?

Before you start taking appetite suppressants, it is necessary to analyze if you really need to take them or not. Your BMI is the determining factor in that regard. For people who are on the verge of losing their last few pounds, these are not required.

Anyone who has a BMI of 30 or more, potential risks to their health from obesity are quite high as compared to a few minor side effects that they may face by taking these prescription appetite suppressants. So, they definitely are at a better candidate. A few people who have a BMI between 27 and 30 along with the condition of obesity may also give these suppressants a try.

Make sure you have realistic expectations

Usually, 5-10 percent of the total body weight of a person is the average weight loss that can be expected when you take prescription appetite suppressants. Do not forget that these have to be accompanied with exercise and healthy diet schedule. Lost weight might be regained once you stop taking these supplements.

So, it is very essential to understand that you must learn to adapt to good eating habits and exercise regime and continue them forever even when you have stopped taking any suppressants.

There are a few over-the-counter medications also that are available for weight loss. However, the ones that are approved by FDA are available by prescription only as they have been approved under more strict regulations.

These appetite suppressants decrease the levels of catecholamine or serotonin within the brain. These two chemicals are responsible to influence both your appetite and mood. Usually, the medications that are prescribed by the doctors nowadays are either appetite suppressant pills or capsules. 

You must know the fact that prescription appetite suppressants are not the sole way you can fight obesity. Without appropriate physical activity and healthy food intake, there is nothing that would work in your favor to shed those extra pounds.