Notes for: Central nervous systemLast edited [10/12/2021 11:31:41]
‘Safety First: Five-Year Report of the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness’ recommends that patients at risk of suicide, including all patients with a recent history of self-harm, who are treated with psychotropic drugs should receive modern, less toxic drugs and/or supplies lasting no more than 2 weeks.
Notes for: Drugs used in the Treatment of ObesityLast edited [11/08/2011 13:05:30]
Obesity is associated with many health problems including cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, gallstones and osteoarthritis. Factors that aggravate obesity may include depression, other psychological problems and some drugs. The main treatment of the obese individual is a suitable diet, carefully explained to the individual, with appropriate support and encouragement; the individual should also be advised to increase physical activity.
Severe obesity should be managed in an appropriate setting by staff that have been trained in the management of obesity; the individual should receive advice on diet and lifestyle modification and be monitored for changes in weight as well as in blood pressure, blood lipids and other associated conditions. Drug therapy must only be offered as part of a package of care if there is demonstrated weight loss prior to treatment.
Last edited [13/07/2012 09:29:42]Last edited [12/12/2012 15:35:10]
The NICE clinical guideline (No 43, Dec 2006) on the prevention, identification, assessment and management of overweight and obesity in adults and children covers:
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how staff in GP surgeries and hospitals should assess whether people are overweight or obese
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what staff in GP surgeries and hospitals should do to help people lose weight
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care for people whose weight puts their health at risk
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how people can make sure they and their children stay at a healthy weight
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how health professionals, local authorities and communities, childcare providers, schools and employers should make it easier for people to improve their diet and become more active.
When to consider drug treatment
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Consider only after dietary, exercise and behavioural approaches have been started and evaluated.
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Consider for patients who have not reached their target weight loss or have reached a plateau on dietary, activity and behavioural changes alone.
Specific advice on drugs
Orlistat
Prescribe only as part of an overall plan for managing obesity in adults who have:
Continue treatment for longer than 3 months only if the person has lost at least 5% of their initial body weight since starting drug treatment (less strict goals may be appropriate for people with type 2 diabetes).
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Continue for longer than 12 months (usually for weight maintenance) only after discussing potential benefits and limitations with the patient.
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Co-prescribing with other drugs for weight reduction is not recommended..