For some people, despite their best efforts to lose weight by diet and exercise, prescription weight loss drugs can literally be a lifesaver.
Weight loss drugs are not intended to be for those who need to lose only 20 or 30 pounds, but for those who are considered to be obese or morbidly obese, usually those with a BMI of 30 or greater. Those with high BMI's are at risk of developing, or worsening, health problems such as impaired glucose tolerance, osteoarthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and heart disease
For these persons, using drugs to help them lose weight can not only encourage them to develop better eating habits, but assist them in getting the exercise they need. Some patients are so overweight that they cannot get sufficient amounts of exercise.
Weight loss drugs are designed to either decrease the appetite or provide a feeling of a full stomach, increase either the metabolism of the person or the metabolism of food, or a combination of these.