Many people wonder if is okay to use weight loss medications such as appetite suppressants with the Medifast program. Here's an overview of the medications that are okay to use with Medifast and those that aren't.
First, let's take a look at what medications are available. There are only a handful of different ones that are approved by the FDA specifically for weight loss. The most well known are Meridia, which suppresses appetite and helps increase your body's fat-burning ability; Phentermine, which decreases your appetite and stimulates your metabolism; and Orlistat, which partially blocks your body's ability to digest and absorb the fats you eat.
Both Meridia and Orlistat (also known as Xenical) are approved for long term use. Phentermine is approved only for short term use because it can be potentially addictive. With your doctor's approval, both Meridia and Phentermine can generally be safely used with the Medifast program. Orlistat, on the other hand, should not be used with Medifast at all because the meals are already very low in fat and you need some fats in your diet for certain vitamins.
All of these are only available from your doctor if you fit certain criteria related to your BMI. If you have obesity and health conditions that are related to it though, you may want to discuss the options with your doctor. Be sure to tell your Doctor about Medifast too so you can discuss the best way to use it along with any medication.
Also, I should mention that there is also an over the counter medication that is similar to Orlistat. This is Alli. You've probably heard of it already. Since you shouldn't take Orlistat while using Medifast, you also shouldn't take Alli. Because it is a fat blocker, it can mean that you will be getting too little vitamin D and other important fat-soluble vitamins if you use it in conjunction with Medifast.
Before you decide to ask your doctor about a prescription though, you might want to give the Medifast program a try for a few weeks by itself. Because of the way the program works, most people who use it to lose weight find that they don't really get that hungry after the first three to five days.
Because Medifast is high in protein and provides adequate fiber it works to give you a sense of satiety which should keep you from getting hungry. Also, once you are in the fat-burning state known as ketosis, that tends to suppress your appetite as well. So most dieters do fine without needing an additional appetite suppressant. However, if you do find that you still need to curb your hunger and you'd like extra help, there are definitely weight loss medications you can take with Medifast. You'll just need to talk to your doctor about them to see if there's one that is appropriate for you.
If you'd like a rundown of some of my favorite Medifast foods, for tips on what to order and what to avoid, then check out my reviews of Medifast foods before placing your first order.
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