Without a doctor's supervision and prescription, never take weight loss drugs. If you are under a doctor's care while you are reducing, take the drugs be selects exactly as prescribed; however, most doctors prefer to persuade a patient to rely on good judgment and self-control rather than on drugs. At one time, most medicines for weight reduction were based on Benzedrine, which so stimulated patients that physicians were reluctant to use such drugs. Now, a number of antiappetite agents are available, free of the side effect of overstimulation. Some of these medicines, which are apparently safe, include Preludin, Pre-Sate, and Tenuate, all available only through a doctor's order. The over-the-counter, socalled reducing drugs have become big business. An estimated $1000 million was recently spent for these preparations in one year. At best, the money was foolishly spent; at worst, it was a risky expenditure, because of the possibility of side effects. The problem with even the safe reducing drugs is that they are only a shortcut, a prop that helps only temporarily. It is far more sensible to regulate your diet by a change in your eating habits, a change that must be permanent to be effective. A built-in adjustment of your appestat is the most effective insurance against obesity.