Hello Everyone, my name is Dr. Uchenna Kole-James, Pharmacist and founder of Phun On the Pharm.

Welcome to Day 4 of our 30-day September Challenge to Mastering Positive Change!

Yes, I said it I will be here every evening during the month of September at 9:30pm every single evening.

Please join me, I have some amazing things to share with you! I can’t wait!

During this month we are going to discuss how mastering your health, yourself, and your relationships are essential to you living your best life!

We are streaming live to my Facebook page Phun On the Pharm and my YouTube channel Dr. Uchenna Kole-James! Please subscribe to my channel for updates!

During our sessions together ask questions!

If you have a question, I’m sure someone else has that same question!

During my time in retail people have asked me many questions and I have compiled many of them into 3 categories. The categories are health, self, and relationships!

PHOCUS OF MEDICATIONS FOR WEIGHT LOSS

Today we are going to discuss Drugs that are used for weight loss.

There are so many of them both OTC and RX, so I am going to give you an overview of 2 drug classes and what these drugs do to assist in losing weight.

Some of these drugs are approved by the FDA and some of them are not, but its important to note, that all drugs have side effects whether you feel them or not.

Per the Council of Responsible Nutrition more than 170 million or 71% of Americans take a dietary supplement.

Every medication rx, otc has side effects or drug interactions.

Just because your girlfriend or your husband is taking it, doesn’t mean it’s safe.

I just had someone close to me, who was into body building, drop dead at 43 years old… Drop dead, he was taking medications used to bulk up, that he “thought was safe”.

There are many medications used to “lose fat” I have to stress that there is no 100% safe way to lose fat, other than healthy diet and healthy exercise.

There are supplements that one could use “safely” with a diet/exercise regimen, but make sure you read the labels before you just being to take it. That’s another thing, some labels don’t always give you exactly what is inside.

Dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA.

Clinical trials are not required for dietary supplements. I added an exert from my book on my website if you want to download the dietary supplement guide. Check out www.phunonthepharm.com and click on the additional information section. I keep all my Pharm Phorms on my site!!

Categories – Mechanism of Action
The 3 macronutrients that we get most of our nutrition from is carbohydrates, fat, and protein.

Fats contains more calories than carbs and protein.

Reducing the fat intake through diet is critical to losing weight.

Lipase is a chemical that is naturally found in the body, and its function is to assist in fat absorption. Research shows that when this chemical is inhibited or blocked, this should  prevent fat from being absorbed into the body.

1. Lipase Inhibitors (Orlistat) (Xenical Rx or Alli OTC)

Causes weight loss by lowering dietary fat absorption. 30% of fat is reduced with daily doses of 360mg.

The drug must be taken with foods that contain fat in order to exert this effect.

Side effects from this drug is soft stools, flatulence (gassing), fecal urgency, in up to 80% of people who take this drug. They tend to improve with continuous use.

The fat-soluble vitamins of ADEK are not absorbed well when on this med, Vitamin supplementation should be used when taking Orlistat.

2. Anorectic, Appetite suppressants, and thermogenics.

Adrenergic properties ex (Phentermine)

Similar to amphetamines, but ususally not as addicting, these agents assist in weight loss by suppressing your appetite, and increasing your metabolism.

For obesity, administer 30 minutes before each meal. Avoid late evening doses due to potential for insomnia. Misuse of this drug may cause unsafe heart-related side effects or even sudden death. Tell your doctor if you have any heart disease. Try other care plans for obesity before taking this drug.

Most individuals experience weight gain when they stop.

Side effects include increase blood pressure, palpitations, and arrhythmias.

Many OTC agents suppress the appetite or boost metabolism

These are all without side effects. With no heart issues, there may be a place for them, but you need to make sure you are consulting with your primary care physician always.

Check out my book for more information. 

Until tomorrow, self-love yourself, what is more important than you?!