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Ask Your Doctor About Diet & Weight Loss PillsBefore prescribing drugs or pills for weight loss, your doctor takes a medical history and performs a physical examination. He will ask whether any of your relatives has heart disease or diabetes. Diet and weight loss medications may trigger these genetic dispositions. Candidate for Diet & Weight Loss PillsHe also calculates your body mass index (BMI) to see how overweight you are. The result of this calculation is the primary guideline used to determine whether you are a candidate for prescription diet or weight loss drugs. If you have a BMI of 30 or more (or 27 or greater if you have heart disease, diabetes or other factors that would make your weight a health risk) you are a potential candidate for weight loss drugs. Diet councelling from a registered dietician should always be offered along with the particular diet medication. Weight Loss Medication InappropriateTaking diet or weight loss drugs is not usually considered appropriate if:
Are the Diet or Weight Loss Drugs Working?After you've been on your weight loss medication for about 4 weeks your doctor will schedule another visit to see whether the drug prescription is working and evaluate its effects on your overall health. A weight loss of one pound per week is considered working. If the medication doesn't work in the first three to six weeks of treatment despite adjustments in dosage, chances are good that the diet or weight loss drug will never work for you. Precautions When Seeking Advice About Diet or Weight Loss DrugsTell your doctor your complete medical history especially if you have high blood pressure, an over-active thyroid, glaucoma, diabetes or emotional problems. Inform your doctor about all the medicines you use, (prescription and nonprescription) especially if you take high blood pressure medicine or MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, phenelzine, selegiline, tranylcypromine) or other weight loss medicine. Decongestants are commonly found in over-the-counter cough and cold medicine. Are Weight Loss Pills Appropriate for You?
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Weight Loss Pills, Drugs, Supplements NOTE: Before using any form of diet pills or weight loss supplements, please consult your doctor. Return to Information Reviews About Diets and Weight Loss Pills |