The Food and Drug Administration has approved four medications for use as diet pills that either help you digest less fat from the food you eat or reduce your appetite. If you are taking medications for another health issue such as depression or diabetes, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any diet drug. In some cases, you cannot mix diet drugs with medications for serious conditions such as high blood pressure, notes PubMed Health.
Orlistat
Orlistat is a lipase inhibitor that blocks fat from the food you eat from being digested and passes it out of your body through your bowel movements, according to PubMed Health. The drug is available as over-the-counter Alli or prescription Xenical. You can take either type of orlistat with other diet drugs such as phentermine, antidepressants such as Prozac and immune system suppressants such as Neoral. However, take any other medication or supplement including vitamins two hours before or after taking orlistat to ensure that all of your medications work properly.
Phentermine
Phentermine is an appetite suppressant and the most commonly prescribed diet drug in the United States, notes the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. If you recently took a monoamine oxidase, or MAO, inhibitor or the antidepressant Prozac, you can still take phentermine, but you may require additional medical supervision. Most diabetics on insulin can also take the appetite suppressant but may require higher doses of insulin. Do not take phentermine if you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse or significant problems with high blood pressure.
Phendimetrazine
Phendimetrazine is another FDA-approved appetite suppressant, but you should not take it for more than 12 weeks at a time, warns the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. You can take phendimetrazine with most antidepressants such as Pamelor, contraceptives like Depo-Provera and the lipase inhibitor orlistat. However, if you are elderly, diabetic, have heart problems or substance abuse issues, do not take phendimetrazine.
Diethylpropion
Diethylpropion is also a prescription appetite suppressant and should not interact with some other drugs, including orlistat, antidepressants and contraceptives, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center Drug Checker. However, you should avoid drinking alcohol when taking drugs such as diethylpropion. Even if you do not take this appetite suppressant with other medications, you can suffer from side effects such as tremors, depression, increased urination and vomiting.
References
- Weight-Control Information Network; Prescription Medications for the Treatment of Obesity; December 2010
- PubMed Health; Phentermine; January 2011
- PubMed Health; Orlistat; August 2010
- PubMed Health; Diethylpropion; September 2008
- MayoClinic.com; Appetite Suppressant, Sympathomimetic (Oral Route); November 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Drug Checker
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