Diet
Pill Side Effects
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.
NOTE: Before using any form of diet pills or weight loss
supplements, please consult your doctor.
|
