It has costly effects. Diet and exercise alone are not effective in many people seeking long-term improvement. Drug treatment does not cure obesity, but can produce moderate weight loss and prevent regaining weight. The goal of weight loss is to prevent the development of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea or gallstones. Decreasing one's weight by five percent can improve other conditions, like blood pressure or diabetes.
Consumers have several choices today.
Dexfenfluramine is a relatively new medication which has received a lot of press. These medications are effective but not without risks. Last week the U.S. Food and Drug Administration began sending letters to doctors, asking them immediately to check their patients taking fen-phen for heart or lung damage. The FDA is trying to track whether the drug is responsible for the development. There is another alternative drug on its way.