Shedding excess pounds should ideally be accomplished by eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise, notes MayoClinic.com. But in some cases, weight loss drugs may help you conquer the battle of bulge. Diet pills are available by prescription and over the counter. Exercise caution when when using any type of weight-loss medication, advises the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Considerations
Health food stores, supermarkets, drugstores and Internet sites all sell weight loss supplements and pills. Unlike prescription weight loss medications, most over-the-counter diet pills have not been tested by the FDA, notes the American Academy of Family Physicians. This means over-the-counter weight loss supplements can be sold with scant proof they actually work.
Prescription Weight Loss Drugs
As of 2010, Orlistat, sold under the brand name Xenical, is the only prescription weight-loss drug approved by the FDA for extended use, or longer than 12 weeks, according to MayoClinic.com. Orlistat works by blocking the absorption of fat and discards it in the stool. A reduced-strength version of orilstat, Alli, is available over the counter and appears to be effective.
Diethylpropion and Phentermine are prescription-only weight loss drug approved for short-term use only.
OTC Weight Loss Pills
The majority of over-the-counter diet pills touted to encourage weight loss do not appear to be effective, according to MayoClinic.com. One exception, other than orlistat, may be conjugated linoleic acid. CLA is suggested to reduce body fat and build muscle and may be safe and effective for weight loss, notes MayoClinic.com.
OTC products like bitter orange, chromium, green tea extract that are purported to increase calories burned and reduce appetite have not been proven effective.
Precautions
Since most over-the-counter diet pills have not been subject to FDA scrutiny, their safety is not guaranteed. Buying unverified weight-loss pills on the Internet can be especially risky, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Talk to you your health care provider or pharmacist about the potential benefits and risks of any weight-loss product you may be considering.
Outlook
Diet pills don't eliminate the need for regular exercise and healthy eating, warns MayoClinic.com. Keep moving forward if you experience an occasional setback in your weight-loss efforts. Weight control is a lifelong process that takes time and a commitment to a healthier lifestyle.
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