Obesity is an increasingly prevalent medical problem. Millions of people suffer from excess fat that puts a greater strain on all of the body’s systems. Not only does society generally consider extra weight to be unattractive, but the strain that this excess weight puts on the body can cause signs of aging to appear sooner and more severely than they otherwise would have. Cellulite is one unattractive consequence of too much body fat, as is sallow, sagging skin. A poor diet can contribute to fine lines and wrinkles, and extra weight contributes to aching joints, shortness of breath, and poor stamina that can make a person feel decades older than their physical age. 
Science is starting to recognize stubborn obesity (that does not respond to diet and exercise) as a medical condition, and greater numbers of physicians are willing to prescribe medications that assist with weight loss. Many of these drugs are approved by the FDA for short term use for weight loss (only one has been approved for long term use for weight loss) but many other drugs are prescribed off-label to assist with weight loss.
What Does it Mean to Prescribe Something “Off-label?”
When a doctor prescribes a medication to be used in a way that has not been studied or approved by the FDA, it is known as “off-label.” This does not mean that the doctor is doing something dangerous. What it means is that the FDA has approved a certain drug as safe, and also as being effective in treating a condition, but a doctor is using it to treat a different condition. For example, many drugs that are prescribed for weight loss were approved by the FDA to treat depression or seizures. In these cases, weight loss is reported as a common side effect of the drug when it is used for its intended purpose, so many doctors will prescribe it for weight loss. “Off-label” can also mean that a physician prescribes a drug for longer periods of use than studied by the FDA.
What Prescription Drugs Aid in Weight Loss?
Phentermine, Diethypropion and Phendimetrazine are appetite suppressants that have been approved by the FDA for short term use to aid weight loss. These compounds reduce cravings and urges to eat, and when combined with a diet and exercise program, can increase weight loss. Side effects that have been reported include trouble sleeping, agitation and nervousness, dizziness, headache, and a higher blood pressure or heart rate.
Orlistat, sold under the name Alli, is a lipase inhibitor. What this means is that Orlistat will reduce your body’s ability to digest and use fat for energy by about one third. The problem with this is that the fat consumed must go somewhere, which is why patients on Alli who don’t reduce their fat intake may end up with gastrointestinal distress such as cramping, flatulence, diarrhea, and oily leakage. Patients who use Alli in conjunction with a healthy eating and exercise plan can increase weight loss, and this drug is approved by the FDA for long term use.
HGH, or human growth hormone, is sometimes prescribed for weight loss. This compound is produced by the human body, but levels of HGH peak in adolescence and taper off after that. HGH keeps the metabolism high, assists in the formation of lean muscle tissue (which burns more calories than other body tissues, even at rest) and “turns back the clock” on many signs of aging. Regular HGH treatment not only helps with losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight, but it also tightens and tones skin, and generally helps appearance, strength, and energy levels to return to what they were at a younger age. As a result, some physicians prescribe HGH off-label as an anti-aging treatment, although it is only approved for weight loss. Many physicians are reluctant to prescribe this drug for weight loss (even though it is FDA approved for this purpose) because of the controversy surrounding doctors who prescribe it off-label. Because of this, many people have turned to the online marketplace to purchase HGH or HGH precursors that prompt the body to make more of its own HGH. These include Genf20 Plus, HGH Advanced, and GHR1000.
Although increased physical exercise and a reduced caloric intake are always necessary for sustained healthy weight loss, prescription medications can help treat stubborn obesity, and help individuals who are facing medical complications as a result of obesity. Many doctors will prescribe both drugs that have been approved by the FDA for weight loss, and many will also try prescribing drugs off-label if a particular patient doesn’t respond to the class of drugs that are FDA-approved for weight loss. In either case, it is important to pay attention to potential side effects and make sure your doctor is aware of all the medications and supplements you are taking.
The bottom line is to lose weight you need to burn more calories than you take in. The problem usually is the craving that makes us want to eat more. I think that any medication that deals with the cravings would have far more long term success than one that tries to burn fat. Unfortunately all the medications used nowadays have some kinds of side effects. So really the best alternatives for weight loss are to consume less exercise and meditate.