title: [The harmfulness of drugs and slimming substances--a toxicologist's point of view].
abstract: Obesity in rapidly developing countries has recently become an epidemic. That is why the need to fight against this chronic disease is becoming more and more apparent. In order to lose weight it is necessary to achieve negative energy balance either by increasing physical activity or using a low calorie diet. When these methods are ineffective, pharmacotherapy is used. The criterion for the application of medical treatment is a BMI above 30 kg/m2 or above 27 along with the presence of other risk factors. Drugs for weight loss fall into three groups: appetite inhibitors, those increasing energy expenditure by enhancing thermogenesis and those inhibiting the absorption of food in the intestines. This paper presents an overview of these classes of drugs and dietary supplements with an emphasis on their adverse effects and the possibility of poisoning. Despite the fact that in Poland only one drug - orlistat has been registered for the treatment of obesity, the availability of other products is unlimited due to the Internet. This fact, and the tendency of patients to treat obesity by themselves using pharmacological substances, poses a major threat and a challenge to the toxicologist.
authors.affiliation: Samodzielny Publiczny Szpital Wojewódzki im. Jana Bozego w Lublinie, Regionalny Ośrodek Toksykologii Klinicznej.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kujawa
authors.forename: Jarosław
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Szponar
authors.forename: Elzbieta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Szponar
authors.forename: Karolina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zapalska-Pozarowska
authors.forename: Halina
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kostek
mesh_terms: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001067:Appetite Depressants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007783:Lactones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077403:Orlistat
chemical_list: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D001067:Appetite Depressants; D007783:Lactones; D000077403:Orlistat