Being moderately overweight can put you at risk of life-threatening conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, orthopedic problems, gallbladder disease, and sleep apnea. But the risks are even greater if you are seriously or severely overweight (at least 100 pounds overweight or twice your ideal weight). If you are desperate to lose the pounds and reduce the health risks, weight loss drugs may be something to consider. But before you make your final decision there are some valuable tips to know.

Your first step is to speak with your doctor about your interest in using drugs for weight loss. He or she will determine whether you are a good candidate for the medication route and whether prescription medication or an over-the-counter product would be more appropriate. Weight loss drugs always work best when combined with a healthy low-calorie diet and regular physical activity.

Your doctor will consider a number of factors when determining whether prescription weight loss drugs are right for you. These will include your current weight, your weight history, your medical history, and which methods you have used to lose weight in the past.

If you have health problems related to obesity or are at high risk for these problems, and if you have been unable to lose weight or maintain a healthier weight using a traditional approach , your doctor may decide that a weight loss drug is right for you. These medications, like Acomplia, are not intended for people who are only mildly overweight.

Weight loss drugs usually work in three ways. They either suppress your appetite (Acomplia), create a feeling of fullness, or reduce the body's ability to absorb fat from food. Amphetamine-based products, such as phentermine and phendimetrazine, are used for short-term treatment of obesity only, usually during the first few weeks of a weight-loss program. They should not be used longer because you can develop a tolerance to their appetite-reducing effects and become dependent on the medication.

It is always best to speak with your doctor. You may want to ask about:

• Effectiveness: How effective a weight loss drug will be is difficult to predict because it all depends on how your body responds to it. Some people lose more than 10% of their starting body weight, while others lose less. Most studies of weight loss drugs show that the maximum loss of weight usually happens in the first six months.
• Side Effects: Side effects will vary depending on the weight loss drug and may include restlessness, insomnia, dizziness, dry mouth, diarrhea, constipation, and elevated blood pressure. Side effects often decrease with continued treatment.
• Post-Treatment Experiences: After stopping a weight loss drug, regaining the weight is the first concern to most people. Although this is certainly possible, maintaining a healthy diet and routine physical activity will increase your chances of keeping off the weight.
  

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