Few have realized the grim reality of obesity as a disease which can lead to a chain of diseases with serious repercussions. Diabetes, impotence, hypertension, cardiovascular ailments are some of the many diseases which maybe caused by obesity. And the news that we have more overweight people than hungry ones in this world would astound many of us.

The sad fact however is that sedentary lifestyle has made us the worst off on the obesity landscape. Despite all the attention obesity has received in medical research and bulletins it has not affected the ground reality too much. The question therefore is what can one do to overcome a ravenous appetite to eliminate weight gain and the potential for obesity. The simple answer is to perform physical exercise and have a balanced diet. But for many it is easier said than done. Staying thin is little bit more complex than following dietary programs and regular exercises. Even if you eat right and stay active, obesity may be an inevitable part of your life--especially if you were unlucky enough to have inherited a genetic predisposition for the condition.

Weight loss drugs can be handy for people suffering from obesity, who face problems in overcoming the disorder through diet programs and exercise schedules. These drugs are approved by the Food & Drug Association. Obese people, who have difficulty losing weight through diet and exercise alone, can opt for FDA-approved prescription drugs.

There are currently nine weight loss drugs available in the market. However, most of them work by activating the central nervous system by suppressing appetite. A classic example of such anorectic drugs are:

Phentermine (Adipex-P or more generic Phentermine hydrochloride) Adipex, Didrex, Phendimetrazine, Meridia, etc. The other category increases the metabolic rate leading to increase in calorie burning. These are normally known as thermogenic drugs and are available without a doctor's prescription. In addition to the above, we may name Hoodia also, whose existence can be traced to the San indigenous tribal people of South Africa. Hoodia Gordonil cactus is a new nutritional supplement. It is a natural appetite suppressant and thirst quencher.

Diet pills although an effective remedy for short term use prolonged usage could lead to serious ailments. Insomnia. stomach upset, in some cases even constipation, increased heart beat, blurred vision are just a few of the many side effects of being on a regular diet drug.