If you are one of the countless adults trying to lose weight, diet pills may seem a tempting option. Though some diet pills have shown potential to enhance weight loss efforts, they often pose negative side effects, such as increased heart rate. For best results, seek your doctor's approval before taking diet pills of any kind. In most cases, such pills are intended only for short-term use by people with excessive amounts of weight to lose.
Sibutramine (Meridia)
Sibutramine (Meridia) is a prescription weight loss approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for obese individuals who aren't able to lose weight through conventional means or who have obesity-related health complications. The medication works by changing your brain chemistry to make you feel satiated more quickly and by reducing your appetite. According to the Mayo Clinic, people who take sibutramine lose an average of 5 to 10 percent of their body weight after one year of taking it. Rapid heartbeat is a common potential side effect of sibutramine, along with increased blood pressure, headache, dry mouth, constipation and insomnia.
Bitter Orange
Diet pills containing bitter orange, an oil that stems from the Asian bitter orange tree, may increase your heart rate. According to the National Cener for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), bitter orange has been used since ancient times to reduce nausea, indigestion and constipation. Currently, it is found in over-the-counter diet pills marketed as an appetite suppressant and weight loss aid. Since chemicals in bitter orange cause increased heart beat, the NCCAM suggests that it may not be safe for use as a dietary supplement. If you have a heart condition, high blood pressure or are pregnant, or if you take medications or supplements that speed your heart rate, you should not take diet pills that contain bitter orange. Bitter orange should not be taken in affiliation with caffeine or other "energy booster" products. Consult your doctor before taking pills containing bitter orange.
Phentermine (Adipex-P)
Increased blood pressure and heart rate are potential side effects of phentermine (Adipex-P), an amphetamine-like prescription medication used to quell hunger and enhance weight loss. According to Mayo Clinic preventative medicine specialist, Donald Hensrud, M.D., phentermine is one of the top recommended weight loss medications recommended for people significantly overweight. Phentermine has been approved by the FDA for short-term use only, due to its potential for addiction and abuse. In addition to increased heart rate and blood pressure, phentermine may cause blurred vision, dizziness, dry mouth, insomnia, nervousness and constipation. Hensrud suggests that phentermine may help kick-start your weight loss program but should be used only with your doctor's pre-approval and supervision. A healthy dietary lifestyle and regular activity are encouraged while taking phentermine and after, since people who stop taking the medication are likely to regain weight if alternate measures are not in place.
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