Many people wonder whether it is okay to use weight loss drugs such as appetite suppressants along with the Medifast program. Here’s an overview of drugs that are OK to use with Medifast and those that are not.
First, let’s look at what drugs are available. There are only a few different ones that are approved by the FDA specifically for weight loss. The most well-known are Meridia, which suppresses appetite and helps increase your body’s ability to burn fat; phentermine, which reduces your appetite and stimulates your metabolism; and orlistat, which partially blocks your body’s ability to digest and absorb the fats you eat.
Meridia and Orlistat (also known as Xenical) are both approved for long-term use. Phentermine is only approved for short-term use because it can be potentially addictive. With your doctor’s approval, both Meridia and Phentermine can usually be used safely with the Medifast program. Orlistat, on the other hand, should not be used with Medifast at all because the diet is already very low in fat and you need some fat in your diet for some vitamins.
All of these are only available with your doctor if you meet certain criteria related to your BMI. If you have obesity and health conditions that are related to it, you may want to discuss options with your doctor. Be sure to also tell your doctor about Medifast so they can discuss the best way to use it with any medications you may be taking.
Also, I should mention that there is also an over the counter drug that is very similar to Orlistat. This is Alli. You’ve probably already heard about it. Since you shouldn’t take orlistat while using Medifast, you shouldn’t take alli either. Because it is a fat blocker, this may mean that you will get very little vitamin D and other important fat-soluble vitamins if you use it in combination with Medifast.
You might want to try the Medifast program for a few weeks before you decide to ask your doctor for a prescription. Because of the way the program works, most people who use it to lose weight find that they really don’t feel as hungry after the first three to five days.
Because Medifast is high in protein and provides enough fiber, it works to give you a feeling of satiety that should keep you from feeling hungry. Plus, once you’re in a fat-burning state called ketosis, it also suppresses your appetite. That’s why most dieters do fine without the need for additional appetite suppressants. However, if you find that you still need to curb your appetite and you want additional help, there are certainly weight loss medications that you can take along with Medifast. You’ll just need to talk to your doctor about them to see if there’s one that’s a good fit for you.
Source by Jenni Kerala
