Weight Loss Pills Lose Out
Posted: Wednesday, 10 November, 2010 | Categories: Slimming Pills
It’s been a bad few years, to say the least, for certain weight loss pills. Reductil and Acomplia, two weight-loss drugs, were both withdrawn from the market because of fears about possible side effects. It is no longer possible to obtain either.
Reductil was withdrawn at the beginning of 2010 after an extensive trial, which suggested that it increased the risk of non-fatal cardiovascular events.
Launched in 2006, Acomplia was also hailed as a wonder drug - forty per cent of those given the drug lost up to ten per cent of their body weight. Two years later, however, it was withdrawn from the market after research linked the drug to depression, psychosis and suicidal tendencies.
Both of these medications worked by changing the chemical processes which occurred in the brain when the patient ate food - it made them satisfied (full up) more quickly, which meant they ate less and in turn lost weight. Perhaps it’s not surprising that these drugs would have severe side effects when one considers the considerable effect that they had on the brain.
Xenical (Orlistat) is a weight loss medication that is, however, still available - either over the counter in a small dose as Alli or in a stronger dose on prescription. It works in a different way from either of the aforementioned drugs and causes the gut to get rid of excess fat in food. It is a successful and popular aid to in the battle many of us have to lose weight.