Although weight loss pills may seem like the most effective way to lose a lot of weight, they aren't necessarily your best option. Weight loss is best achieved through having a well-balanced diet and exercising regularly, says the Mayo Clinic. However, in severe cases, some types of weight loss pills may supplement a healthy lifestyle.
Candidates
Weight loss drugs aren't for you if you're just trying to drop a couple of vanity pounds, says the Mayo Clinic. On the other hand, you may be a good candidate for weight loss pills if your body mass index, or BMI, is over 30 and you're having trouble losing weight through exercise and a healthy diet. Another reason your doctor might recommend weight loss pills is if your BMI is over 27 and you have a related medical problem such as high blood pressure or diabetes, says the Mayo Clinic.
Types
Two main types of weight loss pills are appetite suppressants and lipase inhibitors. Appetite suppressants increase at least one brain chemical that affects your appetite and mood, and lipase inhibitors reduce your ability to absorb dietary fat by around one-third, according to the Weight-control Information Network, or WIN, from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Other types of medication -- such as depression medications, diabetes medications and seizure medications -- aren't FDA-approved to treat obesity, but they have been shown to help treat weight loss in some people. As a result, some doctors prescribe them to treat weight problems, says WIN.
Effectiveness
Prescription weight loss pills can help you lose 5 percent to 10 percent of your body weight within 12 months as long as you're also exercising regularly and eating a low-calorie diet, according to the Mayo Clinic. Although these losses aren't profound, losing a mere 5 percent to 10 percent of your body weight can help to improve your health by increasing your insulin sensitivity and decreasing your blood pressure, lipid levels and blood glucose levels, says the Mayo Clinic.
Risks
Prescription weight loss pills don't come without their share of potential complications. One potential, but uncommon complication is drug dependence or abuse, so doctors should exercise caution when prescribing weight loss pills to people who have a history of substance abuse, according to WIN. Another potentially undesirable complication is developed tolerance to the pill over time, meaning your weight loss would likely slow down or stop after about six months of being on a medication, says WIN. Finally, if you take weight loss pills you may experience side effects such as intestinal pain, constipation, cramping, gas, diarrhea, headache, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, insomnia, nervousness and euphoria.
Warning About Nonprescription Pills
Although a multitude of weight loss pills and supplements are readily available online and at local grocery and drug stores, most of them haven't proved effective, and some have been found dangerous, warns the Mayo Clinic. As of 2010, a couple of weight loss pills that have been found harmful are country mallow and Ephedra and a few questionable pills are Alli, Hoodia and bitter orange, says the Mayo Clinic. The main reason nonprescription weight loss pills can cause harm is because they aren't regulated by the FDA as stringently as prescription medications. Reduce your risk by talking to your doctor if you're considering taking pills to lose weight.
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