do these weight loss pills give hope

Diet Pills: Dying to be Slim

I'm fat. I'm too skinny. I'd be happy if I were taller, shorter, had curly hair, straight hair, a smaller nose, bigger muscles. Familiar with these statements? Yes, these are some phrases used to imply distorted body images and lack of self esteem in our society. Due to the desperation to improve self image, people can make extremely dangerous decisions that can be fatal or take a path that's detrimental to their health. Consuming diet pills for a quick weight loss is one of the poor decisions people make to their well being.
Weight loss pills have been a subject for heated debates and bitter controversies for decades. Praised by some as life-turning instruments for gaining self-esteem and looking good, diet pills are hailed by others as deadly chemicals that can wreck havoc inside our bodies and very likely kill us. For instance, the 21-year-old Brazilian model Ana Carolina Reston, who is suspected of having taken a cocktail of prescription drugs for slimming and pain relief shortly before she died is a good example. Indeed, experts are warning that thousands of women are putting their lives at risk by buying diet drugs. However, despite all the warning and dangers, people continue to use diet pills thinking it could do no harm.
Because of extrem stress on the heart and raised blood pressure, side-effects of the pills can include convulsions, heart attacks, strokes, mood swings, chest pain, tremors, irregular heartbeat, nausea, liver damage and headaches. And if overdosed, they can lead to hallucinations, seizures, blurred vision, and vomiting. For instance, Cal-Ban, which for a time came in an uncoated tablet form, could cause serious obstructions in the throat if taken with a small amount of water and also could turn into a glue inside the stomach. In several cases, surgery was needed to remove the mass. Therefore, diet pills should grab the special attention of health care providers in addition to the society's.

The Truth about Diel Pills

The Truth about Diet Pills
When it comes to weight loss, most people tend to take the easy way out. Not everyone has the patience and self-discipline to stick with a weight loss program until his or her weight loss goal is achieved. For this reason, diet pills, both prescription and over-the-counter drugs, sell incredibly well. Some people think of them as a miracle drug, while the other half think of them as a waste of money. But at then end of that day, you already know the secret to weight loss. Eat less and exercise more. It really is that simple.
Basically, there is no such thing as a quick fix or magic bullet when it comes to losing weight. Weight loss medications can only help you lose weight but only if you also cut calories, eat healthy, and exercise regularly. Usually any effective and healthy weight loss is slow and gradual. The average person usually loses from 1/2 to 2 pounds per week with the help of diet drugs. "Weight loss medications can be modestly effective, and enhance weight loss by 8%-10%, but medication does not work for everyone," says Robert Kushner, MD, a professor of medicine at Northwest University.
There are always claims on commercial television ads saying that you never have to work out and you can eat all you want, and sadly that is, at this point, a false accusation because scientific research has not borne out such claims. These products are categorized as dietary supplements, not as drugs. According to current FDA regulations, that means nobody has to prove that they work. So therefore don’t believe everything that you here.
There are hundreds of weight loss pills on the market. Some are fairly natural and have a low risk of side effects, but others have been linked to serious problems. There are two basic types of weight loss drugs, which are prescription drugs and over the counter drugs. The prescription drugs are more reliable because they have been around for years and are FDA approved, whereas, the new, over-the-counter weight loss medication are considered dietary supplements and don’t need FDA approval process as drugs and therefore they can claim false facts. Approved weight loss drugs must prove they are safe and effective with strong scientific evidence in order to pass the stringent FDA approval process. “The people most successful are those who are ready to make a serious commitment to losing weight and willing to take responsibility for their actions and for change," says Pat Baird, a dietitian.
There are three ways in which prescription weight loss pills work: by suppressing the appetite, by creating a feeling of fullness, and by blocking the absorption of fat. Over-the-counter diet pills on the other hand, usually have a stimulant that curbs the appetite. Alli, is the first over the counter FDA regulated weight loss pill and has been a success so far. In addition to Alli, there are about six other prescription weight-loss drugs on the market. But the reality is, no matter how many weight-loss pills you take, they don’t work by themselves. Furthermore, there’s no real data on how safe the pills are long-term, especially for young people. However, the Food and Drug Administration has only approved them for adults for up to two years of continuous use. In addition, side effects are common. These “miracle pills” can increase blood pressure, increase heart rate, nausea, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. However, for the obese people with a body-mass index of 30 or greater, the benefits of prescription diet drugs can outweigh the risks, experts believe.
The reason the Jenny Craig diet or Nutri-System diet work so well is because you are eating in small proportions throughout the day which increases your metabolism and your also eating healthy meals which is the main way to lose weight and become healthy. However, if you don’t stick with it, all the weight will come back; therefore it’s a lifestyle change.
In general, the biggest mistake people make in taking diet pills is looking at them as magic bullets."People cannot expect a medication to do it for them,” says Gary Foster, director of the Center for Obesity Research and Education at Temple University in Philadelphia. “It’s a 50/50 partnership with the pill being half the equation." The truth, therefore about weight loss pills is that no matter how many weight-loss pills you actually take, they don’t work by themselves. So in conclusion, there’s no wonder pill or easy solution to getting fit. Just eat less and exercise more. It's the only thing that actually in reality works.

RESOURCES:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24406056
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=51699
http://www.nypost.com/p/lifestyle/health/the_radical_new_way_to_lose_weight_ym89TMcV4f8KGGDiBCpSJJ
http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/weight-loss-drugs-how-much-do-diet-pills-help
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/weight-loss-pills-miracle-working-drugs-or-just-a-waste-of-money-1223186.html
http://www.googobits.com/articles/952-miracle-pills-do-diet-pills-really-work.html

A Short History of Weight-Loss Pills

In the relatively short history of weight-loss pills, there isn't much that is good to tell. In fact every ten years or so the manufacturers bombard the public with their new "wonder drug" that promises almost magical results that are mostly out done by their dangerous and sometimes deadly side effects. It brings an old saying to mind, that if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is. Here is a look at some of the past and recent decade's popular chemical weight loss solutions.

In the 1930's, a Stanford University study released its results on the amazing weight loss properties of Dinitrophenol or DNP. In brief, DNP is an industrial chemical that drastically speeds up metabolism by inhibiting an ATP synthase molecule. The electron transport chain still function to create energy, however with the inhibition of ATP synthesis the energy created is given off as heat. DNP is very effective and can raise resting metabolic rates up to 50%. Side effects include overheating, insomnia, muscle soreness, blindness, and can result in death. In 1938, the U.S. Office of Drug Control, a precursor to the Food and Drug Administration, banned it from the marketplace when it found the drug was linked to numerous deaths due to fevers. Although DNP is still used and sought out today mostly for competitive body building.

During the 1950's and 60's Amphetamines became the new popular choice for weight loss. These drugs work by stimulating the central nervous system and have been known to cause chest pain, tachycardia (increased heart rate), chest pain, anxiety, euphoria, hypertension, and insomnia. These drugs are effective in suppressing appetite they have fallen out of favor because of their addictive qualities and potential for abuse. They are however, still used for other conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.

In the early 1990's the University of Rochester released a study of the potentially good weight loss effects of a combination of two existing appetite suppressants, fenfluramine and phentermine. This drug, dexfenfluramine (Redux), received FDA approval in early 1996 and within three months over 86,000 prescriptions a week were being filled. However in the summer of 1997, the Mayo Clinic published a study linking Redux to serious side effects such as pulmonary hypertension especially in women. Shortly after the release the FDA promptly removed it from the market.

In the late 90's to early 2004, the focus shifted to the herbals and natural supplements. And why not, anything natural can't be bad for you, right? Well not in the case of the herbal plant Ephedra. The active ingredient in Ephedra, alkaloid ephedrine, has a stimulant effect on the heart, lungs, and central nervous system. The FDA banned any dietary supplements containing Ephedra in 2004, when it was found to cause hypertension, seizures, strokes, heart palpitations, loss of consciousness, and even death. Ephedra is also banned by the NCAA, the International Olympic Committee, and the NFL.

Lastly, in May of 2009, the FDA requested a voluntary recall of fourteen Hydroxycut products. At a news conference Linda Katz MD, interim Chief Medical Officer of FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition said, "We have reports of adverse effects including liver damage requiring a transplant, elevated liver enzymes, and a death of a 19 year old man after using Hydoxycut." The FDA however, hasn't yet determined which ingredients or doses are associated with the side effects.

Resources:

http://mayoclinic.com/health/weight-loss/HQ01160

http://www.mesomorphosis.com/steroid-profiles/dnp.htm

http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/default.htm

http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20090501/hydroxycut-recall-due-to-liver-injuries
http://www.webmd.com/diet/tc/ephedra-topic-overview

My Business, My Nurse's business too!!! (Why is this a hot topic in pharmacology)

As the number of people in the United States who are Obese Increase, so will the number of weight related illness’ increase and so there would be more options to losing weight faster and easier without hassle or stress. This is where the weight loss pills being advertised everywhere is put into play. These weight loss pills claim they can help you lose as much as 30 Lbs in as little as a month by working against your body so to say. These pills have not been FDA approved and so the health risks may not even be known or some may be known but oblivious to the signs and symptoms. This is where the health care system and nurses come into play. These people who try to lose weight the quick way later have complications related to the “so called miracle pills” and are brought into the hospital to be taken care of. These complications may range from diarrhea to worse situations like hypertension. This is a huge workload for the health care system as it may increase the number of serious cases in the hospital.
As healthcare professionals, we should be able to advice a patient who is not in serious need of these drugs to avoid taking them and also that they should see the doctor before they start to do so. These measures would at least reduce a considerable number of those brought into the hospital with problems related to weight loss pills. This would help us as health care professionals to avoid all these cases.
Consumers should also take note of these pills because of their health and the possible side effects. As these drugs have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and so some insurance providers may not cover you in case of complications. Also do not take these drugs without being under a doctor’s care because the doctor has to keep track of your medical history in case of complications. These drugs are being sold all over the internet and consumers should avoid buying them from these internet sellers.


Sources:
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/01/26/hlsb0126.htm
http://www.annecollins.com/obesity/risks-of-obesity.htm
http://www.who.int/topics/obesity/en/
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm070056.htm
http://www.weightlosswand.com/surgery/side-effects-of-weight-loss-pills.html
http://www.steadyhealth.com/articles/Prescription_Diet_Pills_a822.html
http://weight-loss.families.com/blog/diet-pill-controversy

Miracle Weight Loss pill– Does It Really Work?

Are there really miracle weight loss pills? Is there a way one can take these pills and lose 10 to 20 pounds in a few days? Are there possible side effects of these drugs? How do I know the best weight loss pills to take and where can I find them? These are questions that people may have and are seeking to get the right answers. You are not the only one that is thinking that way neither are you the only one who wants to lose weight. There are thousands of people like you!
Alli is a brand name of orlistat which has been marketed by Roche as Xenical. How orlistat works is fascinating, unlike other weight loss pills that works in the brain or suppress appetite, “xenical works in your digestive system to block about one-third of the fat in the food you eat from being digested.” “It disables lipase, an enzyme found in the digestive tract, preventing it from breaking down dietary fat that is normally used or stored for energy in this smaller form. Instead, some of the fat continues undigested through the intestines and is then eliminated.” According to xenical website, xenical still has its side effects which include “gas with oily discharge, an increased number of bowel movements, an urgent need to have them, and an inability to control them, particularly after meals containing higher amounts of fat than are recommended”. Most people think this could be the miracle diet pill that will give them the weight they desire, but the amazing thing here is that xenical usage encourages weight losers to combine it with a good diet and constant exercise.
These weight loss pills may not be highly effective because they help to lose weight very slowly and also the side effects they have. Exercise, good dieting, and style of living would go a long way in getting the desired weight we want. In dealing with obesity, the consumer should consult their health care professional to know the appropriate weight loss pills to take.

Resources: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/DrugSafetyInformationforHeathcareProfessionals/ucm179166.htm
http://www.vision.org/visionmedia/article.aspx?id=3208
http://www.healthzine.org/Weight-loss/herbal-weight-loss-pills
For more information: http://www.beautyreports.org/lipozene-review
http://www.dietspotlight.com/lipozene-review/

Am I Safe With These Weight Loss Pills?

FDA is always monitoring pills to make sure they are healthy for the consumers. Some weight loss pills are marketed as diet supplements, natural or herbal products. These dietary supplements are mostly perceived as being natural and therefore harmless. They are advertised and promoted on the internet as well as sold online and in some retail stores. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has limited oversight and monitoring responsibility of dietary supplements and how they are produced. Since they are not readily supervised by the FDA, some diet supplement products marketed as weight loss pills may sometimes contain some undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients that may pose serious health risk to consumers. Most of these diet supplements products have different “proprietary blends” listed on their labels that makes it very difficult to know exactly how much of a particular substance you are getting. Some undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients that these products might have can cause drug interaction with prescribed medications thereby causing toxicity and damage to vital organs.
On December 22, 2008, FDA had released a list of 69 different products marketed for weight loss and had warned consumers not to purchase but also to stop use of already purchased products and consult with their health care professionals immediately. According to FDA, the tainted weight loss products that should be avoided are:
Fatloss Slimming
2 Day Diet
3x Slimming Power
Japan Lingzhi 24 Hours Diet
5x Imelda Perfect Slimming
3 Day Diet
7 Day Herbal Slim
8 Factor Diet
7 Diet Day/Night Formula
999 Fitness Essence
Extrim Plus
GMP
Imelda Perfect Slim
Lida DaiDaihua
Miaozi Slim Capsules
Perfect Slim
Perfect Slim 5x
Phyto Shape
ProSlim Plus
Royal Slimming Formula
Slim 3 in 1
Slim Express 360
Slimtech
Somotrim
Superslim
TripleSlim
Zhen de Shou
Venom Hyperdrive 3.0
Starcaps
Slim Waistline
Slim Waist Formula
Slim Up
Sliminate
Slim Fast
2x Powerful Slimming
Slim Express 4 in 1
Reduce Weihgt
Super Fat Burner
Super Slimming
Sana Plus
Trim 2 Plus
Powerful Slim
Waist Strength Formula
Slimming Formula
Perfect Slim Up
Slim Burn
Slim 3 in 1 Slim Formula
Slim 3 in 1 M18 Royal Diet
Slim 3 in 1 Extra Slim Waist Formula
Slim 3 in 1 Extra Slim Formula
Natural Model
2 Day Diet Slim Advance
Miaozi MeiMiaoQianZiJiaoNang
Meizitang
Meili
JM Fat Reducer
Imelda Fat Reducer
7 Days Diet
Extrim Plus 24 Hour Reburn
Fasting Diet
Cosmo Slim
Body Slimming
Body Shaping
Body Creator
BioEmagrecin
3 Days Fit
21 Double Slim
Eight Factor Diet
7 Diet

“These tainted weight loss products pose a great risk to public health because they contain undeclared ingredients and, in some cases, contain prescription drugs in amounts that greatly exceed their maximum recommended dosages,” said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, FDA.
The health threat set by these products can be life-threatening because of some undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients. “Those include drugs not approved for use in the US, controlled substances that can affect blood pressure, anti-seizure medication, and diuretics, along with other implicated in suicide from depression and as carcinogens”.
The active substances in some of these products include sibutramine, a sympathomimetic, which was found in many of the products and can cause high blood pressure, seizures, tachycardia (rapid heat beat), palpitation, heart attack or stroke. Rimonabant helps in reduction of appetite. It is not approved for marketing in the United States but approved in Europe. The main apprehension with this drug is its association with increased risk of depression and suicidal thoughts and “there have been five deaths and 720 adverse reactions in Europe over the past two years” (FDA news release). Phenytoin is a commonly used as antiepileptic (an anti-seizure medication). Phenolphthalein – a solution used in chemical experiments and a suspected cancer causing agent – used to be component of many over-the-counter laxative products. Bumetanide, a loop diuretic (drugs that increase the production of urine) with the brand name Bumex. This drug can cause dangerous electrolyte abnormalities such as low potassium and even acute kidney injury in certain people.
Emagrece Sim and Herbathin, labeled as dietary supplements contain prescription drugs which includes several controlled substances that can be harmful if not used properly. Both Products are made in Brazil by fitoterapicos and phytotherm Sim and FDA warns consumers about these Diet pills because of their active drug ingredients.
The US food and Drug Administration makes an effort to prevent the importation of these products. Dr. Steven Galson, Director of FDA’s center for Drug Evaluation and Research said “there are dangers to consumers who purchase diet pills that contain drugs of unknown origin and quality. If the product is not approved by FDA, consumers should not take those pills because if there are any side effects, it is difficult to trace problems and makes it hard for physicians to treat”.

Resources:
American Psychological Assoc. (2009, January 25). FDA issues alert about tainted weight loss pills. Endocrine Today, p. 14. http://search.ebscohost.com
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/2008/ucm116998.htm
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm110259.htm
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm103184.htm
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/2006/ucm108578.htm