The quest for weight loss often has people turning toward diet pills and prescription drugs. All diet drugs have to get government approval, and all but one of the drugs currently available requires a physician's prescription before you can use them. You can also check with the Food and Drug Administration to see the details about any drug you're considering.
Approved Drugs
Whenever a drug manufacturer wants to sell a drug in the Unites States, it first must get the drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration. According to the Weight-Control Information Network, a service of the Department of Health and Human Services, there are five weight-loss drugs that have been approved by the FDA as of May 2011: phentermine, diethylpropion, phendimetrazine and orlistat.
Prescription Medications
Phentermine, diethylpropion and phendimetrazine are the only three prescription drugs the FDA has approved for the treatment of obesity, according to the Weight-Control Information Network. These three drugs are all appetite suppressants designed for short-term treatment of up to 12 weeks. The drugs have a range of side effects, such as increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, dizziness, sleeplessness, nervousness and headache.
Over-the-Counter Drugs
As of May 2011, the FDA has approved only orlistat for sale over the counter, or OTC. Orlistat, sold under the brand name of Alli, is available without a prescription and is approved for use by anyone 12 and up. The drug is a lipase inhibitor that lessens the body's ability to absorb fat. You can take orlistat for up to 12 months, though the drug does have common side effects including cramping, diarrhea, oily spotting and, in some rare instances, severe liver injury.
Dietary Supplements
While the FDA has approved four drugs for the treatment of obesity, there are also a range of dietary supplements sold as diet pills. Unlike drugs, supplements do not need FDA approval and no dietary supplement is approved by the FDA.
The FDA sometimes issues warnings about dietary supplements that may pose a risk to consumers. These warnings do not require the manufacturer to recall the product, but it's important to know of any potential risks before using a supplement. Check the FDA's website (see Resources) for the most updated information.
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