You can get a prescription for diet pills or purchase them over-the-counter in most drug and mass merchant stores. You likely see advertisements for diet pills in magazines and on television. If you are overweight, you may be tempted to try these products on the basis of the manufacturer's statements. It is vital, however, that you fully understand the pros and cons of weight loss pills as the "quick fix" some promise is not based on sound science and health recommendations.
Types
Diet pills are available in over-the-counter and prescription versions. OTC versions of diet pills are mostly herbal medications that include an active ingredient such as bitter orange, green tea extract, guar gum and chitosan; while these are said to help you lose weight, they haven't been proven effective, notes MayoClinic.com. There is one OTC diet pill that is a reduced-strength version of the prescription medication, orlistat, which is considered effective. In addition to orlistat, other prescription diet drugs include diethylproprion and phentermine. Many diet pills are suitable for short-term use of up to 12 weeks, except for orlistat, which is suitable for long-term use of up to one year. Because of safety issues, however, do not use any diet pills without first consulting your physician.
Indications
Diet pills are indicated for use by overweight or obese patients. You are classified as overweight if your body mass index is between 25 and 29.9, and obese if your body mass index is 30 or greater. Your body mass index is a measure of your total body fat based on your height and weight. Prescription diet pills are indicated for people who have a body mass index of 30 or greater who don't have any other health conditions, or 27 or greater in a person with other health conditions. You must consult a physician before using any diet pill if you have any medical condition.
Considerations
In order for any diet pill to help you lose weight, you have to eat a reduced-calorie, balanced diet and exercise regularly. For women, you likely need approximately 1,600 calories per day and men need approximately 2,200 calories per day. Some diet pills follow a diet that includes as few as 1,200 calories per day for women or 1,500 calories per day for men, which is the absolute minimum needed to sustain normal body function.
Warnings
Diet pills can cause side effects. Some of these, such as nausea, headache, nervousness, sleeplessness or stomach cramping, are just bothersome but not dangerous. Other side effects, such as severe diarrhea, vomiting, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, liver damage and dizziness, may be serious and lead to other health-related problems. If you experience any side effects while you are taking diet pills, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately. If the symptoms are life-threatening, such as severely high blood pressure or severely increased heart rate, go to the emergency room.
References
- Cleveland Clinic: Over-the-Couinter and Herbal Remedies for Weight Loss
- MayoClinic.com: Over-the-Counter Weight Loss Pills: Do They Work?
- Weight Control Information Network: Prescription Medications for the Treatment of Obesity
- MedlinePlus: Body Mass Index
- University of Iowa Health Care: Calories: How Many Do You Need to Lose Weight?
- Cleveland Clinic: Diet Pills: Our Expert Weighs In
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