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A Comparison of Diet Pill Ingredients

Jul 28, 2011 | By Stephanie Mojica

For generations, people have used prescription and over-the-counter diet pills to decrease their appetites and in some cases block fat from being digested. But all diet pills carry the risk of side effects, including potential allergic reactions. As of 2011, some diet pill ingredients are under Food and Drug Administration investigation or have been taken off the market entirely due to the risk of serious and sometimes fatal side effects.

Dangerous Ingredients

A combination of the anorectic drugs phentermine and fenfluramine, or fen-phen, was taken off the market in 1997. Researchers with the Mayo Clinic as well as the Food and Drug Administration discovered that fenfluramine caused severe and sometimes fatal heart valve damage in an unacceptably high number of patients taking the drug. Fenfluramine was also linked to lung damage. FDA officials banned several other popular diet pill ingredients, including sibutramine and ephedra due to similar incidents of severe heart and lung damage.

Phentermine

Phentermine is an appetite suppressant that has amphetaminelike properties, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. It is the most commonly prescribed diet drug in the United States and has been marketed under brand names like Adipex since 1959. Possible side effects linked to phentermine use include addiction, dizziness, increased blood pressure, sleeplessness and anxiety. Doctors usually prescribe it for periods not exceeding 12 weeks.

Orlistat

Orlistat is a fat-blocking drug available as over-the-counter Alli or prescription Xenical. Orlistat blocks fat from being digested; the fat moves out of the dieter's body through stools. But some people have alleged that orlistat caused severe liver injuries; as of 2011, the Food and Drug Administration was still investigating to find out if the alleged link between orlistat and liver injury is unacceptably high. Orlistat users who experience jaundice, light-colored stools or dark-colored urine should seek immediate medical assistance.

Conjugated Linoleic Acid

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may help reduce fat and build muscle, according to MayoClinic.com. While this supplement is not FDA-approved, preliminary scientific evidence has shown that the ingredient is likely safe and effective in animals. But some people may not want to take CLA, because it is not a totally proven weight loss supplement for humans and consists of substances from the digestive tracts of grazing animals such as cows. Pregnant and nursing women should avoid all diet pill ingredients, including CLA.

References

Article reviewed by Mike Myers Last updated on: Jul 28, 2011

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