People struggling with weight loss that do not respond to diet and exercise modifications might benefit from diet pills, according to the Mayo Clinic website. Most pharmacies offer nonprescription pills but it's difficult to know which products are effective. Physicians prescribe prescription-strength diet pills for people with specific medical conditions.
How It Works
Many over-the-counter weight loss supplements provide insufficient evidence regarding results, according to Mayo Clinic. However, conjugated linoleic acid, which appears to reduce body fat, may be effective. The medication Alli, an over-the-counter version of the prescription medication orlistat, may also be effective, according to Mayo Clinic.
The Food and Drug Administration approve prescription diet pills that meet safety regulations. Orlistat is a long-term medication that blocks your body's ability to absorb fat, according to Mayo Clinic. Short-term prescription pills that are used less than 12 weeks, include phentermine and diethylpropion. These medications reduce appetite.
Benefits
Weight loss pills can reduce your body weight by five to 10 percent over a year, according to Mayo Clinic. These statistics include dieters who maintained a healthy eating plan and exercised, which is required with diet pills. There are also health benefits of dropping extra pounds. Weight loss can decrease blood glucose levels, lipid levels and blood pressure, according to Mayo Clinic.
Considerations
Prescription weight loss pills aren't prescribed for everyone. These medications are reserved for people who haven't succeeded with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet. Typically, you must have a body mass index of 27 or higher to qualify for diet pills. Your doctor will evaluate your health history, potential drug interactions and other risks to ensure you're a good candidate for diet pills.
Misconceptions
Some people think that weight loss pills don't require lifestyle modifications. However, most weight loss pills require a healthy diet and physical activity in order to be effective. The Mayo Clinic website provides a free healthy weight loss tool, allowing you to determine how much of each food group to eat based on height, weight and gender. Making these changes assist in keeping weight off in the long-term.
Warnings
The FDA does not regulate over-the-counter diet pills. Some of these pills are dangerous, according to Mayo Clinic. For example, the FDA banned ephedra for safety concerns. Other medications that may be harmful include bitter orange and country mallow. Consult your doctor before taking any new supplement.
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