Lipase Inhibitors
Orlistat (
Xenical®) is another prescription weight loss drug, although it works differently from appetite suppressants. This medication works by reducing the body's ability to absorb dietary fat by about one-third. It does this by blocking the enzyme lipase, which is responsible for breaking down dietary fat. When fat is not broken down, the body cannot absorb it, so fewer calories are taken in.
Recently, another medication that contains orlistat was approved by the FDA. This drug,
Alli™, is the first non-prescription weight loss drug approved by the FDA.
Some side effects of orlistat include:
- Cramping
- Intestinal discomfort
- Gas
- Diarrhea
- Leakage of oily stool.
These side effects are generally mild and temporary, but can become worse when eating foods that are high in fat.
Off-Label Weight Loss Drugs
There are a number of other medications that healthcare providers may recommend in an "
off-label" fashion for weight loss. Drugs such as these include:
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are used to treat
depression. Some antidepressant medications have been studied as appetite-suppressant medications, although none are currently approved for this use.
Studies of these medications generally have found that people lose modest amounts of weight for up to six months and tend to regain weight while they are still on the drug. One exception is
bupropion (
Wellbutrin®). In one study, people taking bupropion maintained weight loss for up to one year.
Some examples of antidepressants that may be used off-label for weight loss include:
Seizure Medicines
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