Prescription diet pills are used to treat people who are obese or overweight with risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes, according to the product labels for Xenical, Meridia and Adipex-P. Xenical contains orlistat, a substance that inhibits the absorption of fats into the body. Meridia and Adipex-P contain sibutramine and phentermine, respectively, which are substances that suppress appetite. These prescription diet pills have risk factors that can be dangerous and potentially fatal.
Gastrointestinal and Liver Risks
Xenical can reduce the amount of fat-soluble vitamins that get absorbed into the body, increasing the risk for deficiencies of beta-carotene and vitamins A, D and E, according to the product label. A multivitamin is recommended for patients taking Xenical. Gastrointestinal effects from Xenical could occur after meals that are high in fat content, according to the product label. These effects include fatty, oily stools; gas; and oily leakage and fecal urgency. The product label for Xenical also reports cases of severe liver injury and acute liver failure, some that resulted in liver transplant and death.
The product label for Meridia states that its use increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, stomach and intestinal ulcers, and intestinal obstruction.
Central Nervous System Disorders
According to the product label, Meridia taken in combination with other central nervous system-active drugs, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors, can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, a condition that involves the accumulation of high levels of serotonin, according to MayoClinic.com. Serotonin is a chemical messenger in the brain. Symptoms from serotonin syndrome include fever, shivering, diarrhea, muscle rigidity, seizures and death. Other central nervous system risks from Meridia include seizures, tremor, mood changes, depression, impaired concentration and amnesia, according to the product label.
Cardiovascular Risks
Meridia increases risk of heart conditions, including heart attack, congestive heart failure and decreased heart rate, according to the product label. In some patients, Meridia can increase pulse rate and blood pressure, increasing risk of stroke.
Adipex-P increases risk for valvular heart disease, a condition that inhibits blood flow within and from the heart, according to the product label. Johns Hopkins Medicine states that in mild cases of valvular heart disease, there may be no symptoms, yet in advanced cases, it could cause congestive heart failure and other complications.
Adipex-P can also increase risk of pulmonary hypertension, according to the product label. The American Heart Association reports that pulmonary hypertension is characterized by high blood pressure in the arteries that supply the lungs. The arterial walls thicken and cannot carry a sufficient supply of blood to the lungs. This causes the heart to work harder to force blood through. If the lungs receive an insufficient supply of oxygen, it could cause dizziness, shortness of breath and possibly death.
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