Anti-obesity pills

The weight loss pills are the pharmacological agents who control the weight. They are known as Anti-obesity medication. These drugs work by altering one of the basic processes of our body known as regulation of weight by either altering the appetite or by the calorie absorption. The main or effective treatment for obese and overweight patients is maintaining a diet and physical exercise.

There are many pills available in the market, but only one named orlistat or Xenicalcan be used a long term as it is FDA approved. Itfunctions by reducing absorption of the fat that is in the intestine by inhibiting the pancreatic lipase. Other drugs include Rimonabant or Acomplia which works through the endocannabinoid system that is a specific blockade in our body. These pillshave received approval in Europe to continue the treatment of obesity, but has not yet got the approval in Canada or USA due to any safety norms.

Mechanism of Action

The current weight loss pills operate through more than one mechanism. These includeSuppression of appetite. In this the main toolthat is being usedisCatecholamine and their derivatives. In future drugs which can block the cannaboid receptors can be invented for suppression of the appetite. Also, there is an increase in the body metabolism by using these drugs. Also, these drugs interfere with the body’s capability to absorb the nutrients present in food. Like in Orlistat, blocks fat undergothe breakdown and this prevents fat absorption of the fat. The fiber supplements of OTC guar gum is being used for inhibiting the digestion and also lowering the caloric absorption.

Various types of pills

The stimulants are the weight loss drugs which can be used for short-term and hence it is useful for the extremely obese patients who want to reduce their weight in a month or a year. The orlistat has been approved by the FDA in 2007 and it has very less side-effects. This includes frequent, oily bowel movements also known as steatorrhea. From the 40 million users worldwide only 13 to 15 cases have been reported for severe liver damage. The Lorcaserin was approved in 2012 for the obesity with some other co-morbidity. The Sibutramine or Meridia is an anorectic or an appetite suppressant and it reduces the desire to eat. It may increase the blood pressure and may even cause constipation, dry mouth, headache and insomnia. Due to its risks such as a non life-threatening myocardial infarction and stroke, it has been removed from the markets of all major countries.

The recently developed weight loss pills include Rimonabant. It is actually a cannabiniod receptor which acts centrally in the brain and so decreasing the appetite. It can also act similarly by increasing the thermogenesis and therefore increasing the energy expenditure. But the weight loss is not so significant in comparison to other pills and due to safety concern it is not approved in countries like the United States and Canada. The other pill named Metformin is useful for the people who are having Diabetes mellitus type 2. It works by limiting the amount of glucose, which is produced by the liver and also increases the muscle consumption of the glucose.