Healthy Diet Pills

Ultimately, the most efficient way to lose weight is to stick to a healthy diet and get exercise each day. But if you're trying to lose weight quickly and efficiently, you may be interested in trying a diet pill for an extra boost. However, not all diet pills are healthy, and some are more harmful than helpful. Examine the pros and cons of your diet pill options before you start shopping around.

When Medication May Be Healthy

You won't get the most out of diet pills if you're only trying to slim down by a few pounds. However, the use of prescription weight loss medications may help you get healthier as fast as possible if you're obese or overweight with weight-related health concerns. If you're a candidate and you're also committed to eating a low-calorie diet and getting regular exercise, taking a weight-loss drug could help you lose about 5 to 10 percent of your body weight within a year and reduce health conditions such as high blood sugar, high blood fats and high blood pressure, according to MayoClinic.com.

Health Risks of Over-the-Counter Pills

The diet pills you can buy at a store may be more dangerous than healthy. Most of these pills, known as dietary supplements, aren't held to the same high standards as prescription weight loss pills are. This means they may be sold with very little proof of safety or effectiveness for their intended purpose. Even if an over-the-counter weight loss pill is safe for most consumers, it may contain so many herbs, vitamins or other ingredients that it could negatively interact with a prescription pill you take. Talk to your doctor if you're thinking of trying an over-the-counter pill.

Types of Prescription Pills

The prescription weight loss pills that may offer you health benefits if you're obese or dangerously overweight come in two main varieties: lipase inhibitors and appetite suppressants. Appetite suppressants such as phentermine can decrease your appetite or make you feel full easier, but they're not FDA-approved for use for more than about two weeks. Lipase inhibitors such as orlistat can help your body absorb about 1/3 less dietary fat and may be prescribed for longer-term use.

No Perfect Pill

In some cases, the potential risks of taking a prescription weight loss pill may outweigh the potential health benefits of rapid weight loss. Prescription pills can cause side effects such as diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, uncontrollable bowel movements, irritability, headaches, nausea, nervousness and sleep problems. Some pills pose further health risks. For instance, the weight loss pill sibutramine was once approved for weight loss but was removed from the market in 2010 after followup studies linked it to serious heart events in some people. As of 2011, the lipase inhibitor orlistat is being studied for its potential link to liver damage.

Weighing Your Choices

Get help from your doctor in weighing the potential benefits and potential risks of taking a prescription weight loss pill. Also keep in mind: Even if you decide that taking a pill may offer you greater health benefits than risks, it can't answer all your weight problems. Diet, exercise and other healthy habits are a must no matter what.