Slimming pills, whether prescription or over-the-counter remedies, can potentially help people lose weight as long as they also eat properly and exercise. But all diet pills carry the risk of side effects, and some have been removed from the market to protect the safety of members of the general public, warns the Mayo Clinic.
Ephedra Problems
Ephedra or ephedrine was an effective ingredient in many types of over-the-counter slimming pills but carried an unacceptable risk of side effects, according to the Mayo Clinic. In 2004, representatives of the Food and Drug Administration banned the sales of supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids. Potentially life-threatening side effects attributed to ephedra include high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and tachycardia.
Fen-Phen Problems
Another effective but potentially dangerous slimming pill was fen-phen, a combination of the appetite suppressants phentermine and fenfluramine. After government scientists and Mayo Clinic researchers discovered an unacceptable link between fen-phen and possibly fatal heart valve and lung damage, the Food and Drug Administration banned fen-phen in 1997. Fenfluramine is believed to be the part of the combination culpable for cardiovascular problems in some patients who took the drug.
Phentermine Effects
During the fen-phen investigations, representatives of the Food and Drug Administration declared that phentermine was not dangerous. This slimming pill decreases appetite and is the most commonly prescribed diet aid in the United States. But phentermine can be habit-forming, so most doctors will only prescribe it for three to six weeks. The drug should not be used for more than 12 weeks. Also, patients risk weight regain once they stop taking phentermine, especially if they did not truly change their diet and exercise habits. In some cases, phentermine can cause side effects such as nervousness, sleeping problems, high blood pressure and even life-threatening allergic reactions.
Orlistat and Weight Loss Potential
As of 2011, the slimming pill orlistat was still available over-the-counter and by prescription even though representatives of the Food and Drug Administration were investigating patient allegations that the fat-blocking drug caused serious liver injury. Dieters who eat properly, exercise and use the prescription-strength form of orlistat can expect to lose 5 to 7 more pounds per year than they would have without the help of diet pills, according to the Mayo Clinic. People who take the over-the-counter formula, marketed as Alli, can potentially lose 3 to 5 pounds more annually than they would have without slimming pills.
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