Combining diet pills has become a fad for those longing to lose stubborn pounds, or those who are at risk for developing obesity-related complications such as diabetes or high blood pressure. In some cases the combination is complete, as was the case with Fen-Phen. In others, you may choose to combine the diet pills yourself. There are real risks involved with either scenario, making it vital for you to know how to approach this situation.
Step 1
Ask yourself if you are a candidate. Not everyone is a candidate for diet pills. Harvard Medical School explains your doctor may not give you a prescription for diet pills unless your body mass index is greater than 30, or is 27 with an accompanying health condition, such as diabetes. If your BMI is lower, the pills pose more of a risk than a benefit.
Step 2
Consult with your doctor. Discuss your desire to combine diet pills with your doctor before you leap into the unknown. Give him a list of all current medications and over-the-counter supplements you take, along with any health problems, past or present. Ask him what the possible side effects of combination diet pills are, or what diet pills you can safely combine.
Step 3
Separate the pill families. If you choose to combine diet pills without the help of your physician, be sure you do not combine pills in the family. You can combine an appetite suppressant with a fat blocker, but cannot combine two fat blockers. To ensure your safety, make a list of the various diet pills, placing them in their appropriate category.
Step 4
Use the diet pills in combination with diet and exercise. Although the purpose of combining diet pills is to expedite weight loss with little effort on your part, failure to adopt a healthy lifestyle will result in long-term failure. MayoClinic.com recommends following a low-calorie diet and exercise plan with your prescriptions to ensure the greatest efficacy.
Step 5
Visit your doctor regularly. The effects of combination diet pills on the body is not known, therefore, visit your doctor regularly to ensure your personal safety. Tell him about any health problems, no matter how great or small. Although weight loss is important, the possible side effects of this process can be deadly in extreme cases.
Tips and Warnings
- No diet pill, whether you take it alone or with another, is a long-term solution. Some may even cause addiction. Take the pills for as short a time as possible, and if you begin to feel like you need them, speak to your doctor immediately.
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