Does Weight Loss Medication Really Work?

When combined with a reduced-calorie diet and regular physical activity, weight loss medicines can help people struggling with their weight, to lose weight over a consistent period of time. People who use these drugs may not feel as hungry, or they may feel full after eating only a small amount of food.

Weight-loss medicines include diethylpropion (brand name: Tenuate); phentermine (brand names: Apidex-P, Ionamin, Pro-Fast); sibutramine (brand name: Meridia); and orlistat (brand name: Xenical). Unlike other weight loss medicines, orlistat works by keeping your body from digesting some of the fat that you eat.

Although some weight loss supplements containing ephedra, ephedrine or caffeine are available without a prescription, it is not known whether these drugs are safe. Such supplements have been linked to reports of heart attack, seizure, stroke and death. It is important to talk to your doctor if you are considering taking a weight loss supplement or if you are already taking one.

Weight loss medicines tend not to be offered to people who are just a little overweight, but rather are reserved for people who are very obese. In fact, most weight loss...