Phentermine-Topiramate For Weight Loss
The current obesity epidemic in the United States represents a major health crisis. One in twenty Americans have a BMI greater than 40 kg/m; which is classified as extremely obese. Obesity remains one of the major causes of death worldwide, and is a causative factor in heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and stroke.
One of the treatments recommended at Fidelity Medical Clinic in Tampa, Florida, is Phentermine for the treatment of obesity and weight loss. Phentermine/Topiramate is an FDA approved, fixed dose, controlled release, combination product, which works to decrease food consumption by suppressing appetite. The drug is not recommended for patients with glaucoma or hyperthyroidism, or for use during pregnancy, or within 14 days of discontinuing monoamine oxidase inhibitor use.
Phentermine and topiramate (FEN ter meen; Toe PYRE a mate) are utilized together with a reduced calorie diet and exercise to achieve weight loss. The drug combination is indicated for overweight people who may also have diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or heart disease. It has been shown to be a good option for sustained weight loss for patients who have not achieved success with diet and exercise only.
Qsymia is the brand name for phentermine/topiramate, which combines an appetite suppressant with an antiepileptic agent in an extended-release capsule. It is a controlled substance, available by prescription only. Studies show that after one year of treatment, patients taking the maximum dose will have lost an average of 11% of their body weight, with those taking the lower dose losing an average of 7% to 8% of their body weight.
Phentermine/Topiramate is shown to result in greater weight loss when combined with a reduced calorie diet, than the weight loss achieved with diet and exercise only. The benefits of weight loss may include lower blood pressure, improvements in patients with type 2 diabetes, and lowered medication needs. The drug is taken once in the morning with or without food, to lessen the likelihood of insomnia. Patients start at the lower dosage, increasing to the target dosage within 14 days. Patients are instructed to discontinue use of the drug if they have not achieved at least 5% body weight loss after 3 months.
The combination Phentermine Topiramate treatment works in just 3 to 4.4 hours; however, it may take up to 2 weeks before you notice any weight loss. In order to achieve the best results as quickly as possible, patients should minimize their carbohydrate consumption, stay hydrated, and be as active as possible. You may notice a decrease in your appetite, as well as more energy than you typically feel.
Faster weight loss can be achieved with limiting carbohydrate intake in order to burn stored carbohydrates and then fat for fuel. When you don’t eat carbohydrates, your body burns stored carbs for fuel. When that is gone along with water weight, your body burns fat, by converting your dietary fat to ketones, or burnable fuel. Once that runs out, your body turns to stored fat, converting your white fat cells into ketones for fuel. Getting at least 150 minutes per week of exercise will accelerate your weight loss.
If you are looking for a medical weight loss program in Florida, reach out to Fidelity Medical Clinic. We can help you reach your weight loss goals!
