Prescription Weight Loss Drugs
Discussing Prescription Weight Loss Drugs With Your Doctor
Before a doctor will prescribe a prescription weight loss drug, he or she will ask you about the following: any existing allergies you may have, whether or not you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and what types of other drugs you may be taking. Existing medical conditions may also affect the use of these drugs. You should tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Epilepsy (seizures)
- Kidney disease
- Glaucoma
- Alcohol or drug abuse (or a history of)
- Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- Depression or other mental illness
- Migraine headaches requiring medication
- Planning to have surgery requiring general anesthesia
- Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant
- Breastfeeding
People who are prescribed appetite suppressants should follow the prescription carefully. Because appetite suppressants may cause drowsiness or lightheadedness, it is important to know how you respond to these medications before you attempt to drive or operate machinery.
Xenical or Meridia Precautions
- Follow the directions for taking Xenical or Meridia on your prescription label carefully. If there is any part that you do not understand, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Do not take any more or less medicine than prescribed and do not take it more often than prescribed.
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is close to when you are scheduled to take your next dose, simply skip the missed dose and proceed with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
- These medications should be kept in their original container, tightly sealed and away from children.
- They should be stored at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom or near the kitchen sink).
- Any medication that is outdated or unused should be thrown away.
Taking these weight loss drugs too often or in too large a quantity, or for longer than prescribed, can lead to addiction or, in worst-case situations, an overdose. Symptoms of an overdose can include confusion, convulsions, hallucinations, and coma. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately.
- A decrease in the ability to exercise
- Chest pain
- Swelling in the feet or lower legs
- Difficulty breathing
WebMD Medical Reference
Health & Diet Guide
VIVELLE-DOT (estradiol transdermal system) IS AVAILABLE BY PRESCRIPTION ONLY.
INDICATION
Vivelle-Dot is used after menopause to: reduce moderate to severe hot flashes; treat moderate to severe dryness, itching and burning in or around the vagina; help reduce your chances of getting osteoporosis (thin weak bones); and treat certain conditions in which a young woman's ovaries do not produce enough estrogens naturally. Vivelle-Dot 0.025 mg/day is only used to prevent osteoporosis from menopause. If you use Vivelle-Dot only to treat your dryness, itching, and burning in and around your vagina or if you use Vivelle-Dot only to prevent osteoporosis from menopause, talk with your healthcare professional about whether a different treatment or medicine without estrogens might be better for you.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Estrogens increase the chances of getting cancer of the uterus (womb). Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are taking estrogens. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb).
Do not use estrogens with or without progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes. Using estrogens with or without progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and blood clots. Using estrogens with progestins may increase your risk of dementia (decline in memory and thinking skills).
Vivelle-Dot should not be used if you have unusual vaginal bleeding; currently have or have had certain cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus; had a stroke or heart attack in the recent past (for example, in the past year); currently have or have had blood clots; currently have or have had liver problems; or think you may be, or know that you are, pregnant.
The most common side effects that may occur with Vivelle-Dot are headache, breast tenderness, and back pain.
You and your healthcare professional should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with Vivelle-Dot.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Full Prescribing Information for Vivelle-Dot.
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