subject: Weight Loss Pills: Are They Worth Taking? [print this page] What do people really know about diet pills? Weight loss pills started in the 1950s and 1960s as amphetamine derivatives. But because the pills were addictive, doctors decided to stop prescribing the drugs for weight loss. But in the 1973, the Food and Drug Administration or FDA approved a new drug called Pondimin for weight loss. It was later replaced by Redux in 1996. Some doctors also prescribed phentermine with fenfluramine as a drug for losing weight and this is referred to as a fen-phen. Phentermine was also combined with dexfenfluramine.
Serotonin levels in the brain can be increased with this drug. Serotonin is associated with improved mood, appetite and satiety. With fen-phen, it has a double action, which tricks the brain into believing that the stomach is full and increased a persons metabolic rate. Though a lot of people were able to lose weight with this drug, but in 1997, many users reported of heart valve disease. Thus, the drugs were again withdrawn from the market and prescriptions were stopped. But at present, there are new weight reducing pills being prescribed and developed or waiting for FDA approval.
Diet pills are available as over the counter or OTC drug. This drug is usually a combination of medications like phenylpropanolamine and caffeine, which acts to control appetite. These agents are central nervous system stimulant and have many effects on the body. One of the effects of these two agents can cause a loss of appetite. Caffeine can also lead to increased alertness and decreased drowsiness and fatigue when taken in low doses. It also has some weak appetite suppressant properties. But is this type of drug effective or safe?
Diet pills can have a great impact on a persons blood pressure, metabolism and general health. It is not an easy option for easy or fast weight loss. Though these drugs can help people lose weight but they can also have side effects. One is that it can create drug dependency and can interfere with other medications. There are also researches that show phenylpropanolamine has only minimal effect on the brain to depress appetite. And it actually produces more serious side effects like high blood pressure, nausea, restlessness, anxiety, insomnia, irritability and hallucinations. The other active agent of pills for losing weight, caffeine, also has serious effects to the circulatory function of the body. It also has unpredictable effect on blood pressure.
These drugs are especially designed for obesity control. Thus for people that are obese, the advantage of this drug to help them lose weight can outweigh the side effects that it can cause. Weight loss pills are recommended for short-term diet for people who have severe overweight problems.
This type of drug is only effective when it is part of a comprehensive weight management program of diet, exercise and weight loss support. It is only effective when a person is eating a healthy diet and is doing exercise.
