OTC Diet Pill Information

Americans spend more than $30 billion per year on diet pills, diet products and weight-loss programs, according to "Nutrition and You" by Joan Salge Blake. A variety of these diet pills are readily available at grocery stores, drugstores and through the Internet. While the sensational claims about weight loss may be hard to resist, it is important that you do your research and consult your health care provider before taking over-the-counter diet pills.

Types of Diet Pills

Several over-the-counter diet pills line the shelves in the market. Each type works differently in your body. Orlistat, which is available under the commercial name Alli, guar gum and chitosan decrease the absorption of dietary fat in your intestine. Bitter orange and chromium increase the amount of calories your body burns, while chromium also decreases your appetite. Hoodia and green tea extract decrease your appetite. Green tea extract also increases fat metabolism and the rate at which your body burns calories.

Considerations

According to Consumer Reports, most studies on the effectiveness of diet pills have shown that they are no more effective than a placebo. It is also important to remember that even if you are taking a diet pill, you must also follow a low-calorie diet and incorporate regular exercise into your routine to lose weight. MayoClinic.com notes that while you may lose weight initially when taking a diet pill, you must continue to take the pill to sustain weight loss. Many people that discontinued use of the diet pill gained the weight back. There is no quick solution to weight loss. Successful and healthy weight loss takes time and commitment.

Warnings

Certain ingredients in diet pills, such as caffeine and bitter orange, can cause significant increases in blood pressure and heart rate, which can be dangerous especially for those with existing heart conditions. If you have an eating disorder, a history of seizures, liver disease or are taking medication for depression, you should not use certain types of diet pills. Always consult your doctor before taking any type of supplement.

Over-the-counter diet pills are categorized as nutritional supplements, rather than drugs. Because of this, the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate the claims made by the manufacturers of the diet pills.

Tips

Check ingredient labels and research them on the FDA website to make sure that there are no recalls or safety concerns about the ingredients in the pill.