Diet drugs when coupled with regular exercise and dieting can prove to be very useful in helping dieters shed the excess pounds. There are, however, also some dangers that come with using diet drugs. The Discovery Health Network found that a majority of the dangers that come from diet drugs arise because of prolonged use and using cheap, low-quality drugs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that the majority of dangers of diet drugs are caused by the ingredients sibutramine and phentermine.
Irregular Heartbeat and Increased Blood Pressure
One of the dangers of diet drugs listed by the Weight-control Information Network is a change in heartbeat and blood pressure. The appetite suppressants in diet drugs, sibutramine and phentermine, cause the heart to beat irregularly or to speed up significantly. An increased heart rate means that the dieter's blood pressure and risk of having a heart attack will be greatly increased. Individuals who already have a heart or blood pressure condition are strongly advised against using such diet drugs.
Seizures
Medline Plus rates seizures as some of the most serious dangers of diet drugs. The seizures are brought about by the action of the appetite suppressor sibutramine. The main form of action of sibutramine is to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system into sending the signal to the body that it is not hungry for food. Seizures are caused by sudden electrical activity in the brain such as that caused by sibutramine. Prolonged use of diet drugs with sibutramine is therefore not recommended by the FDA.
Gastrointestinal Issues
One of the dangers of diet drugs, according to the Weight-control Information Network, is gastrointestinal issues. One of the most common of these gastrointestinal issues is constipation. Diet drugs take a lot of water out of the stomach and intestines, making digestion and bowel movement more difficult. The diet drugs may also have fat blockers that help the intestines get rid of excess fats. These fat blockers may cause diarrhea, cramping and gas.
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