Diet Pills

There are two categories of diet pills. Prescription diet pills are prescribed by a physician and include brands such as Xenical and Meridia. However, diet pills originally requiring a written order can be purchased on web sites without a prescription. Over-the-counter diet pills can be purchased at drug stores, supermarkets or the internet. Fat-Absorber, Melt-Rx and Xenadrine are common brand names of non-prescribed diet pills.

Function

These little tablets operate in three ways: as an appetite suppressant, a fat blocker and/or a fat burner. Xenical is a fat blocker. It works in the digestive system by allowing dietary fat to pass through the intestines without being absorbed. Meridia is an appetite suppressant that alters two brain chemicals, serotonin and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters control mood and appetite regulated within the central nervous system.

Prescribed types are classified as drugs developed in pharmaceutical laboratories. Sibutramine, Meridia’s active ingredient and Orlistat found in Xenical are both chemically-based compounds.

Over-the-counter varieties function in the same manner as prescription diet drugs. However, they tend to stimulate the nervous system more with caffeine and herbal derivatives. Hence, they are famously referred to as “fat burners”. Many are made with herbs not found in North America. For example, hoodia is a cactus plant native to South Africa. It has been shown to be a potent appetite suppressant. Bitter orange, a strong herb, is an ingredient found in Xenadrine.

Safety

Since prescription forms are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), they are closely studied for effectiveness and safety. However, serious side effects such as elevated blood pressure, elevated heart rate, dizziness and insomnia have been reported. Also, since the liver and kidneys are involved in the drug breakdown process, there can be serious and fatal outcomes if used without medical attention.

Over-the-counter selections are considered supplements and are not FDA-approved. Only reported side effects are documented. Diet supplements are not tested and therefore should be used with extreme caution. All-natural or ephedra-free terminology on labels does not mean risk-free. If you experience any abnormal reactions, you are best to discontinue use.

Ephedra, also known as Ma-huang, grows mostly in Asia. It is commonly referred to as phen-fen. The United States banned its use last year due to 155 reported deaths and over 800 reports of heart attacks, seizures, strokes and psychotic episodes. Synephrine works like ephedra as a stimulant and should be used with caution. Moreover, neither one of these substances have shown firm evidence of permanent weight loss.

Kava-kava is a plant being promoted as a weight loss supplement. However, the FDA has published warnings regarding its muscle-relaxant and anesthetic properties. It has caused serious liver damage and transplants for some users.

Effectiveness

Research indicates prescription diet pills to be effective when combined with a healthy, low-calorie diet and exercise plan. Behavior therapy is recommended to promote continued weight loss and maintenance when the pills are no longer advised. Remarkably, the body can quickly adjust itself to many of them causing benefits to wear off quickly as well.

All-natural herbal labeling can be misleading. There is minimal credible evidence confirming a result of weight loss. For instance, chromium is a mineral with the ability to stabilize blood sugar levels and boost fat-burning metabolism for energy but no decrease in actual body weight has been an outcome.

Usage

If you choose take any form, here are key steps to follow:

• Take exactly as prescribed
• Follow a proper diet and exercise plan
• If side effects occur, contact your physician
• See your physician regularly to check progress
• If pills become ineffective, discontinue use
• If you experience any serious side effects, seek immediate medical attention

There is no “magic” pill for weight loss. If an advertisement sounds too good to be true, it is. Pills are not the solution to weight loss, but rather a part of it with proper diet and exercise. Also, prescription pills are more likely to be effective and safer than over-the-counter formulas.