^a Available without prescription.

The USA data are taken from FDA reports that also give amphetamine/dexamphetamine and methamphetamine as schedule II (i.e., high abuse potential) drugs. Schedules III and IV indicate some and low abuse potential, respectively. Schedule II, III and IV drugs are only available by prescription. The UK data indicate drugs available by prescription and were provided by the Medicines Control Agency of the Department of Health. Various herbal preparations containing bladderwrack (See Introduction) or dependent upon laxative, diuretic or bulking properties are also available, but there is no published evidence that these have long-term beneficial effects. At present, all product licenses restrict the use of anti-obesity drugs to patients with a BMI of at least 30 kg/m2 who have not responded to a weight-reducing regime without drugs.