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Are There Side Effects of Anti Obesity Drugs?

22 April 2010- Obesity has become equally concerning health problem world over as Type 2 diabetes is. Obesity, in most cases, is a lifestyle related medical condition that leads to such health concerns as stroke, hypertension, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cholesterol imbalance, sleep apnea, breathing problems, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis as well as menstrual irregularities, breast cancer and pregnancy complications in women. For weight control, one must change eating habits and adopt drastic lifestyle changes that includes regular exercise and an active life. However, most of the people tend to have anti obesity drugs as weight loss support.

A Study conducted at the University of Liverpool states that these anti-obesity drugs not only have many side-effects but are also ineffective in eliminating the root cause of obesity. Before knowing what the researchers recommend for anti obesity drug manufacturers to keep in mind, we must know what are the side effects of these anti obesity drugs.


Side Effects of Anti Obesity Drugs Weight Loss Pills

Anti-obesity drugs work for weight loss in different ways. These include suppressing appetite, changing metabolism or restricting the absorption of calories. These methodologies interfere with the normal body functioning and lead to many side effects.

  • Stimulants in some of the anti-obesity drugs lead to such diseases as high blood pressure, faster heart rate, palpitations, closed-angle glaucoma, drug addiction, restlessness, agitation, and insomnia.
  • Some anti obesity drugs block absorption of dietary fats. This leads to oily spotting bowel movements (steatorrhea), oily stools, stomach pain, and flatulence.
  • Some other anti obesity drugs, especially those manufactured for Type 2 diabetes patients, block absorption of carbohydrates in the small intestine. This again leads to similar side effects like stomach pain, and flatulence.
Guidelines for Anti Obesity Drugs Manufacturers

According to the University of Liverpool research, the anti-obesity drugs mostly focus on weight loss without taking into consideration the wider issues of obesity. Obesity, in most cases is the result of lack of motivational behavior on the part of obese people who tend to be attracted and eat energy rich food for pleasure of eating. The pharmaceutical companies that manufacture anti obesity drugs must take the following factors into consideration.

  • They must also focus on psychological factors related to obesity while designing new drug therapies for weight loss. The Liverpool research gives information about neurochemical systems governing processes such as wanting and liking of food. The anti obesity drugs manufacturers should exploit this knowledge to help people manage their eating behavior.
  • The anti obesity drugs companies must identify drugs that can selectively affect the desire to eat, enjoyment of eating, fullness and satisfaction. Obese people are less likely to feel full after eating, partly due to the energy rich foods that have a reduced impact on gastrointestinal hormone signals that help promote feelings of satisfaction and fullness. The drug manufacturers must address this issue while designing weight loss pills for eliminating the chances of any side effects of anti obesity drugs.

Know what are anti obesity drugs and what are the types of Anti Obesity Drugs