Side Effects of Diet & Weight Loss Pills *

The side effects of diet and weight loss drugs upon any individual vary according to the individual's health, the lifestyle (including diet), the type of diet drug, whether it is taken with another weight loss pill, and other factors. Length of use of weight loss pills or diet supplements is another important factor.

Side effects of diet pills can be unpleasant, harmful or even life-threatening.

Minimize Side Effects by Getting Advice BEFORE taking any Diet Pills

If you want to take diet pills or supplements, please consult your doctor before buying. Due to lack of testing and regulation, plus side-effects, many over-the-counter weight loss and diet pills are useless, or dangerous, or both.

Here are some examples of the possible side effects of diet and weight loss drugs, appetite suppressants and supplements.

Side Effects of Diet & Weight Loss Pills

Diet pills, both over-the-counter and prescription, (as recommended, continuously, or in excess) can cause the following: nervousness, restlessness, insomnia, high blood pressure, fatigue and hyperactivity, heart arrhythmias and palpitations, congestive heart failure or heart attack, stroke, headaches, dry mouth, vomitting and diarrhea or constipation, intestinal disturbances, tightness in chest, tingling in extremities, excessive persperation, dizziness, disruption in mentrual cycle, change in libido, hair loss, blurred vision, fever and urinary tract problems. Overdoses can cause tremors, confusion, hallucinations, shallow breathing, renal failure, heart attack and convulsions.

People who used some appetite suppressant medications for more than three months have a greater risk for developing primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) - a rare but potentially fatal disorder that affects the blood vessels in the lungs. Forty five percent of PPH victims die within 4 years of contracting the disorder, which affects about one in 22,000 to one in 44,000 patients per year.
In a report published by the New England Journal of Medicine, UC San Francisco researchers linked diet and weight loss supplements to as many as 10 deaths and 20 heart attacks and strokes within the past two years.
Some of the harmful effects listed on the back label of diet pills include dry mouth, nightmares, nausea, diarrhea, irritability, head aches, passing out, dizziness, psychosis, seizure and anxiousness. Serious problems include high blood pressure, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes, and brain hemorrhaging.

Side Effects of Over-the-counter Diet Pills

The side-effects of less regulated over-the-counter diet pills and supplements can be especially severe as labelling and dosage requirements for these diet pills are too lax to guarantee consumer security. For example, a herbal diet pill was given to dieters at a Belgian weight loss clinic. Within 3 years, more than 100 dieters had kidney damage. Ten years later, several people who took these diet pills are developing urinary tract cancers.

Testing of Diet & Weight Loss Drugs

Weight-loss drugs have been subjected to very little testing. Almost no long-term studies have been produced. Research indicates that risks of certain diet and weight loss drugs increase dramatically the longer the drugs are used. In addition, many drugs produce minimal weight loss (independent of diet and exercise). Also, after discontinuing the use of these diet drugs, the weight is virtually always regained.

Potential Side Effects of Herbal Weight Loss Pills Can be Equally Dangerous

Anecdotal evidence suggests that consumers eager to speed weight loss frequently take multiple, more dangerous doses of weight-loss drugs. Vulnerable consumers have also been harmed by unregulated "natural" herbal, weight-loss drugs.

• In 2001, FDA issued a nationwide alert on the recall of thirteen herbal weight loss products because of a dangerous ingredient, because of potential damage to the kidneys.
• In 2002, the FDA is considering a criminal prosecution against a major producer of herbal weight loss pills.

Side Effects of Appetite Suppressants

Drug dependency with consequent withdrawal effects is one of the side effects of appetite suppressant weight loss pills. It is possible to become dependent on appetite suppressants. Signs of dependency include:

• A strong desire to continue taking the diet drug, even when it's effects fade
• A need to increase the dose to boost the effects of the appetite suppressant drug.

Withdrawal Side Effects

These include:

• Noticeable mood swings.
• Hyper-activity.
• Insomnia and nightmares.
• Stomach Cramps or Pain.
• Severe irritability.
• Listlessness or extreme fatigue.
• Depression.
• Nausea, even vomiting.
• Trembling.

Diet & Weight Loss Pills
Diet and weight loss drugs or pills, whether prescription or over-the-counter weight loss supplements, are only effective when combined with a healthy diet and exercise plan. So in order to lose weight and improve your body shape, check out our diet information and advice at Best Diet.
NOTE: Before using any form of diet pills or weight loss supplements, please consult your doctor.

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