Medications for weight loss
Many overweight people experience intense cravings for food and feel the need for medications to suppress their appetite. Several prescription medications are available as well as several over-the counter medications. The medications are effective in suppressing appetites as long as a person remains on the medication. Once discontinuing the medications, appetite returns and so does the weight. Medications are rarely effective in establishing permanent lifestyle modifications required to sustain weight loss in a healthy manner.The National Institutes of Health recommends considering weight reduction medications only if a person has a BMI > 30 or greater than 27 with obesity related co-morbidities or other diseases. For pilots and controllers, most prescription weight loss medications are not allowed. Many are related to the amphetamine category of drugs. Most medications are not recommended for periods longer than 12 weeks.
Recent research has shown that the weight loss combination known as Fen-Phen can cause serious heart valve abnormalities, even when used as prescribed. The risk of severe lung problems also exists with these medications. As a consequence, they have been removed form the market. Other similar weight reduction medications not approved by the FAA include Bontril (phendimetrazine), Tenuate (diethylproprion), Mazanor (mazindol), Fastin and Ionamin (both phenteramine).
A new weight reduction medication of the same category has been approved by the FDA. It is called Meridia (sibutramine). Meridia is also a controlled drug that is prohibited for use when flying or controlling. The maximum duration of therapy for this medication is 12 weeks. Sustained weight loss past this period is rare. It is currently not approved by the FAA. See FDA Meridia Press Release.
Xenical (orlistat): A "fat blocking" lipase inhibitor reduces weight by blocking the absorption of fat from the intestine by 1/3, thus reducing calories absorbed from the intestines is approved by the read more
