Do weight loss pills harm the liver and kidneys? Doctor: Use with caution in patients with severe diarrhea

The prescription weight loss drug "Luoshixian" and the indicated drug "Kangbanban" with the same ingredients but half the dosage, both work by inhibiting the body's absorption of fat. However, studies have pointed out that long-term use may damage the liver and kidneys. However, the Department of Health believes that the instructions have already given a warning and there is no concern about removing the drug from the shelves. Doctors also believe that this type of weight-loss drug is relatively safe, but it should be used with caution if you have severe diarrhea. It is also recommended to supplement fat-soluble vitamins for long-term use.

Legal weight-loss drugs that inhibit the body's absorption of fat, but studies have pointed out that long-term use may damage the liver and kidneys. Doctors remind people who have severe diarrhea to use it with caution, and it is also recommended to supplement fat-soluble vitamins for long-term use.

The weight-loss drug "Nomitin", which acts on the central nervous system to suppress appetite, was withdrawn from the market in 2010 due to the possibility of causing serious side effects such as palpitations, stroke, and abnormal liver function. However, research institutions have never stopped questioning weight-loss drugs. As of 2010, U.S. health officials warned that the remaining legal weight-loss drugs, "Roche Fresh" and "Constant," had cases of liver damage.

Last year, a study from the University of Western Ontario in Canada was published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, which also pointed out that it may increase the risk of kidney disease. The latest study was commissioned by the National Institutes of Health and conducted by the University of Rhode Island. It believes that orlistat, the main ingredient of these two weight-loss drugs, will affect an enzyme and interfere with the detoxification function of the liver and kidneys.

The Department of Health stated that "Luoshixian" is a prescription drug and its prescription has been reviewed by doctors; as for the indicator drug "Kangxianban", the instructions have warned that a small number of people abroad have developed hepatitis after using it, and reminded that there are rare cases of acute kidney disease after people abroad have used the drug, so there is no need to request it to be removed from the shelves or re-examine its safety.

Dr. Xiao Dunren, a hepatobiliary gastroenterologist specializing in obesity medicine, said that compared with "Nometin", weight-loss drugs such as "Luoshixian" are relatively safe because their mechanism is to inhibit fat absorption. In the past, they were considered to be less effective because the main cause of obesity in Chinese people is still excessive starch. As for Westerners who are obese due to eating too much fat, the weight loss effect of using this type of drug is more significant.

Dr. Hsiao Dun-ren said that under proper use, there have been no cases in the country where diet pills have damaged the liver and kidneys. He called on the public to take prescription drugs or self-purchased indicated drugs according to the instructions, rather than taking as much as possible. Clinically, it is recommended that people with severe diarrhea use the product with caution; for long-term users, it is recommended to supplement with fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A, D, E, and K for maintenance.