Showing posts with label weight loss. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weight loss. Show all posts

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Cylapril- another weight loss pill or SCAM?

Cylapril is a non-prescription pill that is hyped up to help boost your energy and revitalize your body. In the process, you will also lose weight

How does cylapril work?

Manufacturers of Cylapril claim that the pill works by stimulating the adrenal glands. This results in synthesis of hormones which helps the body fight stress.

What are the adrenal glands?

The adrenals are tiny glands located just above the kidney. These small glands are vital for proper metabolism, manufacture of both male and female sex hormones, modulate libido, produce corticosteroids, and help boost the body’s immunity. The adrenals are under complex control by the brain.

What happens when the adrenals do not function well?

In some rare individuals, adrenal glands do not function normally and the individual will feel tired, sleepy, gain weight, and have abnormal levels of sugar, sodium, and potassium. The adrenals respond to stress quite well and when the glands under functions, one can develop life-threatening infections.

To counteract the under activity of adrenal glands, now there is cylapril

Does Cylapril help one lose weight?

If you listen to the manufacturers, the pill is supposed to be magical. It can do many things. In reality, it is garbage. The manufacturers suggest that one take the pill every day and it helps burn fat. As the fat is reduced, calories are burnt and one loses weight. Actually, it does no such thing. No one loses weight – the only thing lost is your money.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Can I lose weight with diuretics?

Diuretics are also known as water pills. These medications are widely used in medicine and valuable in the treatment of many medical disorders. There are many types of diuretics and they all work in the same way. Diuretics are medications that can get rid of excess body water. The two most common medical disorders treated with diuretics are high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. Water loss occurs gradually and the water pills are generally safe. All individuals who take water pills must be monitored by a physician because serious changes in electrolyte levels can occur.

Over the years, many athletes have resorted to using water pills to lose weight.
Sure, you can lose weight with diuretics but these medications are not recommended for that purpose.

When water pills are used by athletes, the weight loss is immediate, small and is mostly water. The water is easily gained in a day or two once you stop taking the medication. There is no water pill that will help you lose fat or your cellulite.

Athletes generally take diuretics to get to a certain weight before a sports meeting. This is not recommended as the water pill usually causes excessive dehydration- resulting in a poor performance in sports.

If you want to lose weight, eat less and start walking. The more pills you take, the higher chance of complications.

Friday, April 24, 2009

A look at weight loss drugs

There is no doubt that certain drugs can help individuals lose weight. However, all consumers should understand that drugs are not the magic bullet for weight loss. One must compliment drugs with life style changes for the best response.

The major problem with our society is that everyone wants an easy way to weight loss- popping a pill without making any effort. The problem with weight gain is not in the stomach but with the psyche. One needs a treatment to motivate people to start walking.

All over the globe, waistlines are increasing and obesity is endemic. The pharmaceutical companies are trying desperately hard to come up with a decent drug because they know there is money to be made. However, since the fen fen fiasco, the resulting litigations have tempered the urge of all pharmaceutical companies to quickly release another product.

There are many drugs on the market that can help individuals lose weight, but the point is that almost each and every one of these drugs has disturbing side effects. Some drugs are addictive and yet others can even damage the body. The other reason why weight loss drugs are not prescribed frequently is because physicians have become targets of both patients and FDA. Whenever a complication results, physicians are the first to be sued. Second, the FDA tends to believe that physicians are prescribing way too many drugs and contribute to the burgeoning problems of addiction in society (true when it comes to pain pill prescriptions).

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Sibutramine- safe weight loss drug

Sibutramine also known as Meridia is a relatively drug to help individuals lose weight. The drug has been available in Europe for many years but has only been available in the USA for a few years.

How does it work?

Sibutramine acts by inhibiting the desire to eat. The drug enters the brain and inhibits the appetite center

How is the drug administered?


Sibutramine is available as a pill and taken daily for 1-2 months to have the desired results.

Does Sibutramine work?

Most definitely, it works and does reduce weight. However, the problem is that the drug does have a few undesirable side effects

How long can one take Sibutramine?


The drug is approved by the FDA for short-term use only and is generally safe if taken for that time period (usually less than 8 weeks). A number of large-scale clinical studies have concluded that short-term use of Sibutramine is safe. It is only when the drug is taken for many months that the side effects become prevalent.

How much weight can one lose on Sibutramine?

Most people who have taken sibutramine notice a weight loss of anywhere from 10-12 pounds over 6-8 weeks.

What are the side effects of Sibutramine?

The most common side effects of the drug include the following:

- dry mouth
- nausea
- metallic or acid taste in the mouth
- abdominal cramps, bloating,
- stomach pain
- headaches
- joint pains
- facial flushing
- increased blood pressure
- chest palpitations
- mood changes like depression,, anxiety
- chest pain
- shortness of breath

Not everyone develops these side effects. European studies indicate that about one in a hundred individuals may develop one or more of the above side effects. All the side effects disappear when the drug is discontinued

Monday, April 6, 2009

Xenical (AKA Orlistat) – a good weight loss pill? Part 2

What is alli?

Alli is a brand name of Orlistat and available without a prescription. Alli is only half the prescription strength of Orlistat. Two pills of alli equal one Orlistat pill

How effective is Orlistat?


Well, it is an effective drug for weight loss. The weight loss usually occurs gradually over a period of 2-3 months.

Does Orlistat work in everyone?


No, for some unknown reason it only works in less than 40% of individuals. Asians, Orientals and Africans appear to have a genetic difference in the enzyme, lipase. The enzyme is not effectively inhibited by Orlistat in this patient population.

What else can one do to lose weight?

Orlistat is not the magic pill for weight loss and one also needs to eat less, and enter an exercise program

How much weight can one lose with Orlistat?


Most people claim that they lose 10-15 pounds over 4-6 months. Long term use does not seem to increase this weight loss

What is the dose of Orlistat?

The dose of prescription Orlistat is 120 mg and is supposed to be taken I hr before each meal.

What else should I know about Orlistat?

Because a few vitamins need fat to be absorbed in the blood stream, Orlistat use can prevent absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K. Thus, one has to take supplements of these enzymes. Never take the vitamins supplements at the same time as Orlistat- they will simply be eliminated in the poop.

What are side effects of Orlistat?

Orlistat is a safe drug but has unpleasant side effects. It is because of the side effects that most people cannot take Orlistat for long periods. Passage of fat into the bowels lead to a lot of gas, abdominal cramps, frothy and oily stool. Plus, the oily stools often leak out of the anus and soil the under pants.

These side effects are less when the drug is not taken every day. The side effects do resolve when the pill is stopped. Some people wear diapers during this time to avoid repeated soilage of their underwear

What is cost of the Orlistat?

Orlistat is fairly expensive. Each pill can cost anywhere from $2-$3. One needs to take each pill 3 times a day. This can amount to about $200-$300 a month. This may sound a lot but bariatric surgery can cost $15,000-$25,000.

Final advice

Do not take Orlistat which requires a prescription and is expensive.. If you want to lose weight, take alli which is the same pill, costs much less and one does not need a prescription. Alli is available at half the strength and works just as well

Xenical (AKA Orlistat) – a good weight loss pill?

What is Xenical?

In the last 40 years many weight loss pills have been developed. The majority have been derivatives of the addictive drug, amphetamine. While these drugs have been effective, they also have had serious side effects including physical dependence. Now there is a new weight loss pill known as Orlistat (Xenical).

How is it administered?


Xenical is available as a prescription pill and can help one reduce weight.

How does it work?


Orlistat works by preventing absorption of fat from the intestine. For a normal person, before fat can be absorbed into the blood stream, it has to be broken down into smaller fragments by an enzyme in the intestine. This enzyme, lipase, is blocked by Orlistat. Once the enzyme is blocked, any ingested fat is simply excreted into the feces. The maximum inhibition of the enzyme by Orlistat is not 100 percent but ranges anywhere from 50%-80%

What happens to the fat one eats?


Because the fat is no longer broken down, it is excreted and appears in the stools. The stools appear frothy, bulky and have a distinct smell. The stools also appear greasy and can fill up the entire toilet because of the froth.

When does one take the pill?

Orlistat is best taken at least an hour before a fatty meal. If you are not going to eat fat, there is no point in taking the pill