For obese individuals with diabetes, lowering blood sugar is crucial for weight loss. Long-term use of weight loss drugs should be avoided, as they can cause drug poisoning.

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Why is lowering blood sugar important for obese people with diabetes when losing weight?

A survey of obese individuals revealed a strong link between obesity and diabetes. Obese individuals with significant fat storage in the neck and abdomen have a very high risk of developing non-addictive diabetes. The incidence of diabetes in obese individuals is more than three times higher than in those of normal weight.

In addition to diet control and exercise therapy, lowering blood sugar is crucial for weight loss in obese patients with diabetes.

Currently, acarbose (also known as Glucobay) is commonly used to lower blood sugar in obese individuals. It can reduce the absorption of sugar in the intestines and lower postprandial hyperglycemia. At the same time, it can also reduce the volume and weight of fat and has a significant effect on fat synthesis and fatty acid metabolism, thereby reducing body fat and blood triglyceride levels.

There are specific requirements for the timing of acarbose administration. It should be taken with the first bite of food to achieve the best results.

However, acarbose also has side effects. About half of the patients may experience bloating, 30% may experience abdominal distension, 15% may experience diarrhea, and 5% may experience intractable constipation. Most patients experience abdominal cramping pain, and may also experience adverse reactions such as headache, dizziness, fatigue, and itchy skin. However, as the dosage is reduced, the symptoms disappear.

This method of lowering blood sugar and losing weight will not cause hypoglycemia by reducing postprandial high blood sugar, making it the first choice for weight loss drugs in the treatment of obesity-related diabetes.

Why weight loss pills should not be used long-term.

For obese patients, losing weight is a long and arduous task that requires not only patience but also perseverance. Only by persisting in this effort over a long period can better results be achieved.

However, the use of weight loss drugs should be done in stages and at a certain pace, and long-term use should be avoided.

For example, appetite suppressants should only be used in the short term when diet control and exercise are ineffective. If used for a long time, tolerance to weight-loss drugs can develop, and the weight-loss effect will be greatly reduced.

Furthermore, the longer a weight-loss drug is used, the greater the side effects. For example, long-term use of domperidone can lead to hyperinsulinemia, which will significantly reduce the weight-loss effect. If this patient insists on using weight-loss drugs, then insulin sensitizers such as troglitazone or metformin can be considered as alternatives. This can correct the adverse reactions caused by prolonged use of domperidone while also enhancing the therapeutic effect.

Why do weight loss pills cause drug poisoning?

Obese individuals may experience drug poisoning if they take weight-loss drugs improperly. There are three main reasons for this.

First, all kinds of weight loss drugs have "toxicity," which is commonly referred to as side effects. If the dosage is excessive, it can lead to increased excitability in the human body, resulting in symptoms of toxicity such as agitation, high blood pressure, tachycardia, dilated pupils, sluggish speech, ataxia, tremors, hyperreflexia, rapid breathing, headache, fever, auditory and visual hallucinations, and paranoid delusions.

Severe cases can lead to acute circulatory disorders, convulsions, coma, and even death. The most prominent example is fenfluramine; an overdose can cause rotational nystagmus and persistent jaw tremors, as well as drowsiness and excitement. If weight-loss drug poisoning is suspected, medication should be stopped immediately, and the patient should be taken to the hospital for treatment; otherwise, the consequences could be dire.

Secondly, incorrect selection of weight-loss drugs can lead to poisoning. For example, thyroxine tablets, dinitrophenol, and lipolytic agents should not be used for weight loss in obese children, and appetite suppressants should also be avoided. Such drug poisoning can severely affect a child's growth and development.

Third, the continuous use of weight-loss drugs should ideally not exceed six months, with three months being the optimal duration. Prolonged use will not only reduce the drug's effectiveness but also exacerbate side effects.