NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Internet reports claiming that the Endocrine Society is now recommending prescription drugs to accompany diet plans for obese patients offer two drug manufacturing companies the potential for immense financial gain. Like most drugs, Contrave and Belviq list a host of potential prescription drug side effects that should not be ignored.
Among a long list of potential prescription drug side effects, Contrave and Belviq warning labels caution patients to be aware of suicidal thoughts while encouraging emergency medical attention for a number of symptoms, including increased blood pressure or heart rate, swelling of the lips or tongue, stomach pain or tiredness. Contrave patients are also advised of potential liver damage and manic episodes.
Belviq, thought to promote weight loss by affecting the appetite chemicals in the brain, is used in conjunction with diet plans and exercise. Patients are encouraged to alert their doctor if they have not lost at least 5% of their starting body weight after 12 weeks and are warned about Belviq's habit forming potential.
Because of the nation's very real obesity epidemic, pharmaceutical companies throughout the country are interested in learning more about the intricacies of appetite and hunger. Research has revealed that the same hormones and neurotransmitters that affect hunger and appetite also control one's mood and emotions. This is one of the most formidable challenges for pharmaceutical companies when developing drugs for weight loss because most drugs designed to control appetite and hunger tend to have potential side effects similar to drugs used to treat depression, anxiety, addiction and seizures.
While there is still much to learn about appetite and hunger, the ultimate answer may lie in balancing the existing system of hormones and neurotransmitters. Ensuring that all hormones and neurotransmitters are in balance keeps appetite and hunger harmonious to the body's energy requirements.
Diet Doc's medical diet plans aim to balance the system, rather than control it with drugs. Their diet plans combine healthy, low-carbohydrate foods with prescription hormone diet treatments, appetite suppressants and proprietary diet pills to balance hormones, control appetite and overcome the urge to indulge in high carbohydrate foods. New patients can log onto the internet to complete a health questionnaire and schedule an online consult with a Diet Doc physician. During the consult, the doctor will review the entire system to uncover the real reason for weight gain, such as hormonal imbalances, improperly functioning organs or cellular toxicity.
Patients that follow Diet Doc's medical diet plans report rapid weight loss without side effects, while Contrave's clinical trials reported an average loss of only 7.5 pounds per year and include a long list of potential prescription drug side effects.