Hundreds of diet pills are marketed as a "quick-fix" way to lose weight. Many diet pills are not subjected to the rigorous testing required for approval by the US Food and Drug Administration, meaning the claims about their effectiveness cannot be reliably verified. More importantly, many diet pills contain powerful drugs that can cause serious side effects, leading the FDA to officially ban the sale of many products.
Heart Attack
Many illegal diet pills contain the drug sibutramine, which is listed as a controlled substance by the FDA. Sibutramine can cause severe adverse effects on the heart, including rapid heart beat, also known as tachycardia, and heart palpitations. In severe cases, ingestion of sibutramine can increase the risk of heart attacks.
Stroke and Seizures
Illegal diet pills that contain sibutramine or other undeclared drugs have also been linked to additional serious health consequences, such as high blood pressure, warns the FDA. An increased risk of stroke can also result from taking illegal diet pills. The risk of seizures can also rise after taking these pills.
Depression and Suicide
Other dangerous chemicals, such as the drug rimonabant, can also be found in illegal diet pills. Rimonabant is approved for sale in Europe, but was not approved by the FDA for sale in the United States, due to the increased risk of suicidal thoughts and depression linked to the drug. During a two-year period in Europe, rimonabant was linked to five deaths and over 700 other adverse reactions, reports the FDA.
Drowsiness or Excitability
Many of the illegal diet pills that contain stimulants can cause additional dangers if taken while driving, warns the Michigan Department of State. These stimulants can initially cause excess excitability, resulting in difficulty concentrating while driving. As the stimulants begin to wear off, excess drowsiness may occur, also increasing the risk of accidents while driving.
Member Comments