Prescription Drugs for Obesity

The FDA has approved several prescription drugs for obesity. Those available on the market include:

Dexedrine and other amphetamines
Ionamin and Adipex-P (phentermine), Sanorex (mazindol), Tenuate (diethylpropion), Prelu-2 (phendimetrazine) and other amphetamine derivatives
meridia (sibutramine).

FDA approved the drugs only for use with calorie-restricted diets. The drugs are "not magic pills," warns Leo Lutwak, M.D., Ph.D., of FDA's division of metabolism and endocrine drug products. "They don't work unless you make dietary and exercise changes."

These drugs are addictive and have the potential for abuse. They should be used only for a few weeks and they shouldn't be used in combination with each other or with other drugs for appetite control because such combinations have not been evaluated for safety.

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CDC: Balancing Calories: Help Kids Develop Healthy Eating Habits

To help your child maintain a healthy weight, balance the calories your child consumes from foods and beverages with the calories your child uses through physical activity and normal growth.

Remember that the goal for overweight and obese children and teens is to reduce the rate of weight gain while allowing normal growth and development. Children and teens should NOT be placed on a weight reduction diet without the consultation of a health care provider.

Encourage healthy eating habits.