There are two ways in which the slimming pills are designed to affect weight loss. They either alter the chemistry of your body and curbing your appetite or interfere with digestion to decrease calorie intake.
Appetite suppressing slimming pills contain amphetamine-like ingredients that boost serotonin or norepinephrine levels to suppress appetite. Drugs that affect digestion include fat-blocking elements known as lipase inhibitors, which by their mechanism of action decrease calorie intake. Slimming pills may or may not work depending on individual constitution. When used under medical supervision in conjunction with a proper diet and exercise program, these pills can be effective in the short term. All the available slimming pills can be broadly divided into two types: That is the prescription-only pills and the over-the-counter pills.
Prescription slimming pills
These pills are approved weight loss drugs that are regulated by the US FDA. Available on a prescription only, side effects of prescription drugs like Xenical have been monitored in clinical trials over a period of time. Therefore, these slimming pills can be advertised and prescribed for weight loss under certain conditions as well as in certain dosages.
These prescription slimming pills have been principally designed for people who are suffering from serious obesity – that is people with a body mass index of 30+. Weight loss pills must never be used as a cosmetic solution for weight loss and neither are they designed to replace a conventional diet and weight loss program. Prescription pills are not an alternative for orthodox diet plans. As, these pills follow a rigorous criteria for use they must never be considered an easy alternative for a motivated diet and exercise regimen.
The dangers of prescription slimming pills are similar to that of other prescription drugs. Accidental overdose is a common problem when taking these pills. This is because most of these pills contain similar ingredients that may also be found in non-prescription medications like nasal decongestants.
Over the counter slimming pills/weight loss supplements
The over the counter slimming pills sector is probably the fastest growing sector in the weight loss industry. Most of the over the counter pills are however, classified as food supplements rather than pills; therefore, this weight loss sector largely remains unregulated. This means that these pills are not tested by the health authorities, nor are these pills subject to the same advertising, dosage or labelling requirements as is the case with prescription slimming pills.
Most of the over the counter slimming pills contain ingredients that have powerful amphetamine-like properties. Some of these diet pills have also been associated with serious side effects including death, but there are no laws in place that make reporting procedures compulsory. Therefore, this sector to date remains unquantifiable.
The side effects and other health hazards of over the counter slimming pills can vary a great deal because most of these slimming pills contain a cocktail of ingredients and their dosage instructions are also inadequate. Possible side effects of over the counter drugs include: nervousness, tremor, diarrhoea, bulging eyes, racing heartbeat, elevated blood pressure and sometimes even heart failure.
Herbal slimming pills
Herbal or ‘natural’ slimming pills are also sold over the counter and can be healthier than other pills. However, you need to be very careful before buying these pills and must always choose a reliable source to buy them.
Should you decide to take any of the slimming pills, you must follow certain elementary precautions which include:
- Take slimming pills exactly as prescribed or directed
- Follow a proper diet and exercise program while taking these pills
- If side effects persist or worsen, contact your doctor immediately
- See your doctor after 30 days to discuss your progress on the particular slimming pills
- If these pills do not show any results, stop taking them
