Diet pills may be helpful if you are obese and attempting to lose weight, but some are associated with significant side effects and health risks. When combined with dietary changes and regular exercise, FamilyDoctor.org, a website run by the American Academy of Family Physicians, states that diet pills can assist with weight loss efforts and reduce some of the risks associated with obesity. Without changes to your diet and lifestyle, however, any weight loss resulting from diet pills is likely temporary. Consult with your doctor before beginning treatment with diet pills or other supplements.
Cardiovascular Risks
Stimulant diet pills affect the body in a way similar to amphetamines, which can cause severe cardiovascular symptoms and potentially leading to illness or death, according to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. Benzphetamine, mazindol, diethylproprion, phentermine, fenfluramine and phendrimetrazine are examples of stimulant diet pills.
Bitter orange and caffeine, two common ingredients in over-the-counter diet pills, can trigger high blood pressure and heart rate, warns "Consumer Reports." Sibutramine may also increase heart rate and blood pressure. Moreover, diet pills that contain synephrine may pose the same risks as those that contain ephedrine, warns Katherine Zeratsky of the Mayo Clinic. Ephedrine is a stimulant found to cause strokes, heart attacks and seizures. It was removed from the U.S. market due to health concerns.
Liver Damage
Both over-the-counter and prescription-strength orlistat are associated with liver damage, and the FDA issued a warning about these medications in May 2010. Symptoms of liver damage may include yellow skin and eyes, itching, dark-colored urine, pale-colored stool, abdominal pain and loss of appetite. Orlistat is sold over the counter under the brand name Alli and by prescription as Xenical.
Digestive Problems and Vitamin Deficiencies
Fat-blocking diet pills can cause diarrhea, oily spotting and gas, according to Dr. Donald Hensrud of the Mayo Clinic. Some diet pills, including orlistat, interfere with the body's absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. This can lead to deficiency and health problems without concurrent supplementation and monitoring by a doctor.
Severe Side Effects
FamilyDoctor.org cautions that prescription weight loss medications may cause a variety of side effects ranging from mild to severe. These side effects, which include irritability, nervousness, nausea, abdominal pain, dry mouth, headaches, nervousness and sleep difficulties, may disappear with continued treatment or may worsen over time.
Many diet pills are contraindicated for use by those with liver disease, heart disease, seizure disorders, depression and eating disorders.
Lack of Regulation by FDA
Over-the-counter diet pills are not regulated by the FDA, which means there is no guarantee of their effectiveness or safety. Many over-the-counter supplements contain multiple ingredients that may interact with each other or with other medications, causing unsafe side effects or leading to potentially serious medical disorders. While the FDA monitors weight-loss aids after they hit the store shelves, it often takes significant time before serious risks become apparent.
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