Diet Pills For Weight Loss - How Safe Are They?

Hundreds of thousands of people are throwing away billions of dollars annually on diet pills. Last year, over $23 billion was spent on diet pills in the United States alone. More than 95% of diet pills purchased are natural or herbal supplements. Often, the only thing lost when taking diet pills is time and money. People looking for a miracle cure are often swept away by the exaggerations made by those marketing diet pills. Here are some important and often ignored facts about diet pills.

When should diet pills be used?

Diet pills are not for everyone. The use of diet pills should be reserved for those who have a body mass index (BMI) above 30 who are otherwise healthy. People with obesity related conditions including high blood pressure, heart disease, a history of strokes, high blood pressure, and diabetes with a BMI of 27 are also candidates for diet pills.

What are the approved diet pills?

Appetite suppressants, including Didrex, Tenuate, Sanores, Mazanor, Adipex-P, Ionamin, Bontril and Meridia are the most popular type of diet pills that have been approved by the FDA for short term use. Appetite suppressants are available OTC and can be prescribed by your physician.

Fat absorption inhibitors, such as Orlistat, block dietary fat from being absorbed. Orlistat is available OTC as Alli and can be prescribed by your physician as Xenical.

Meridia and Xenical are the only diet pills approved for long term use. These are most often prescribed for morbidly obese people. Research on the safety and effectiveness of extended use going beyond two years is not available.

Do diet pills for weight loss really work?

Individual results with diet pills vary. Average weight loss for those taking Xenical and Meridia is 5 pounds to 22 pounds annually. This is an increase of weight loss over what these patients would expect to lose without taking diet pills. Maximum weight loss usually happens during the first six months of treatment before a tolerance is developed. Your physician will adjust your dosage to fit your individual needs.

Are There Risks to Taking Diet Pills?

Short term use of diet pills may reduce health risks in obese individuals. Long term effectiveness has not been established. The use of diet pills involves risks including addiction, developed tolerance, and side effects.

Side effects of diet pills are often mild and at times unpleasant. Common side effects include increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, sweating, constipation, excessive thirst, drowsiness, headache, anxiety, passing gas, diarrhea and leakage of oily stool.

Should diet pills be used long term?

Long term use of diet pills is discouraged. Maintenance of weight loss should be achieved through proper dietary habits and exercise. These should be taught during the first six months of treatment, before the body rejects the effects of diet pills. Diet pills are not for everybody. Discuss with your doctor your medical conditions and precautions you need to take before you use any diet pill.

The Best Selling Weight Loss Pill - Is It Good For You?

You can check with the pharmacist in the drugstore near you if you want some advice on the best selling weight loss pill but it also helps if you know what type of weight loss regimen is really fit for you. The best selling weight loss pill can come in the form of appetite suppressants, fat-burners, or both. These pills were originally made for those who are overweight. However, pharmaceutical companies are making these available even for those who want to shed off a few pounds they gained over the holidays.

What it can do

If you tend to eat too much while living a very sedentary lifestyle, chances are, you'll have a problem with your weight someday or you already have one. Effective weight loss pills suppress the appetite, burn fat, prevent fat absorption in the body, or all of the above. They make you lose weight quickly even if when exercise is not an option. In some cases, you can still enjoy your favorite fast food while taking diet pills especially if they burn fat or prevent your body from absorbing the fats from your food.

Types

The best selling weight loss pill for you can be one of these:

1. Prescribed diet pills – These are weight loss pills a dietician can prescribe to you. The best ones include Xenical, Didrex, Phentermine, and Tenuate.

2. Over-the-counter pills – These are generic diet pills that are available in drugstores. You do not need a prescription from doctors or dieticians. However, be careful when purchasing generic diet pills because some of them may have high levels of toxins that can be harmful for your body.

Check with a physician

Before going into any kind of diet regimen, consult with your doctor on the best selling weight loss pill that can be prescribed for you that will depend on your age, current weight, health conditions, and how much weight you want to lose. It is also recommended that you consult with a doctor, too, if you are planning to buy generic over-the-counter diet pills.