HEATHER, athlete and personal trainer: Society is continually looking for the easy way out. We go to our physicians looking for a “magic pill” to help us lose weight or march to the store to buy a product that claims to melt away the pounds. In fact, the only safe and effective method of long term weight loss is through diet and exercise. Study after study proves this to be true. There is no quick fix - only hard work and a commitment to making your health a priority.

Some of the brand name prescription drugs on the market include Adipex, Phentermine, Ionamin, Bontril, Didrex and Tenuate. They are all medicines that are appetite suppressants which are used along with diet, exercise, and behavior therapy for the short-term management of obesity. However, studies indicate that those who initially lost weight, do not maintain the loss for any significant time especially when they stop taking the drugs.

Meridia is a different type of drug in that it is recommended for those who, in addition to being overweight, have other health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol. It is used in conjunction with a low-calorie diet. Meridia works by boosting levels of certain chemical messengers in the nervous system, including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. However, since Meridia’s introduction to the U.S. market in March 1998 through September 2001, Meridia has been associated with 29 deaths in the U.S. A total of 397 serious adverse reactions were reported to the FDA, resulting in 152 patients being hospitalized. Of the 29 U.S. patients who died, 19 of the deaths were from cardiovascular causes such as heart attacks.

Finally, the prescription drug Xenical blocks absorption of dietary fat into the bloodstream, thereby reducing the number of calories you get from a meal. At the usual dosage level, it cuts fat absorption by almost one-third. Combined with a low-calorie diet, it is used to promote weight loss and discourage the return of unwanted pounds. While Xenical is not a stimulant it does have side effects which include, oily discharge, increased number of bowel movements, and the inability to control bowel movements. Since Xenical reduces the absorption of supplements of some fat-soluble nutrients, particularly beta-carotene and vitamin E, you need to be careful and eat a balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables.

Over-the-counter products such as Metabolife, Xenedrine and Hydroxicut utilize the stimulant known as ephedrine to act as an appetite suppressor. Metabolife is a combination of guarana (caffeine), Ma Huang (ephedra) and bee pollen. Xenedrine combines ephedrine, caffeine and aspirin for its weight loss properties. Hydroxicut is a mix of all of the aforementioned with the addition of chromium picolinate and l-carnitine. All products claim to be safe, fat-burning mixtures with limited negative side effects. However, there have been several recent deaths that appear to be directly linked to the ephedra stimulant. Currently, there is a movement to have this product removed from the stores. You can choose to take these products and have success losing weight. However, there are significant risks involved in using any of the mentioned prescription and non prescription drugs. These risks include permanent bodily damage and even death. There are no quick fixes. Modifying your diet and participating in regular exercise are the only known safe methods of reducing your body weight. Don’t take a risk that could prove to be fatal. Be patient and continue with your hard work and behavior modification. Posted June 18, 2003 03:29 AM