The Safety and Effectiveness of Over-The-Counter Weight Loss Drugs

[Britni24]

The Safety and Effectiveness of Over-The-Counter Weight Loss Drugs

Over-the-counter weight loss medications can be an extremely tempting weight loss options. They are easy to access and are advertised as being an easy safe weight loss option. However, before you grab that bottle of over-the-counter weight loss medication you should carefully look at the safety hazards of some of these seemingly appealing weight loss methods. You may be surprised by the side effects that are potentially lurking in that appealing package. Additionally, after doing your own research you may be surprised by the ineffectiveness of these weight loss drugs.

Alli is a highly marketed common weight loss supplement that claims to decrease the body’s dietary fat absorption. This medication does reportedly provide individuals with some weight loss results. However, the FDA has been investigating the drugs safety and the impact that it may have on the liver (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2010). There are variations of this drug between the prescribed version of this prescriptive drug and the one that is found over the counter. It is important to make sure that you are aware of the differences between these two drugs and whether or not they will meet your unique needs.

The FDA, Food and Drug Administration, monitors the safety of foods and drugs within the United States. There are several weight loss drugs that the FDA has currently deemed possibly safe. The drugs with this rating from the FDA are chitosan, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), chromium, green tea extract, and guar gum (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2010). The effectiveness of these drugs is largely questioned and there are many things still unknown about how these drugs interact with the body.

The FDA has also identified several weight loss medications that they have identified as being potentially unsafe. These drugs are bitter orange, country mallow (heartleaf), and ephedra (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2010). Many of these drugs have been banned by the FDA and have been found to be ineffective in providing weight loss results. Hoodia is an additional drug that the FDA has currently been studying and at this time does not have enough information collected about it to provide a determination of its safety (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2010).

Any medication should always be used with caution. Even though a medication may be over-the-counter it does not mean that you should not consult your doctor before using it. You should always talk to your doctor about the medications, supplements, vitamins, minerals, and any other drug that you are taking. This information is critically important for doctors to have about their patients because it provides them with a framework for evaluating their patient.

If you feel that an over-the-counter weight loss supplement is right for you to try, utilize these medications with great care and caution. Closely monitor your body and be aware of any changes that you notice in yourself. Every person will respond to medications differently and it is important to watch for how your body will respond to the medication.

You will need to evaluate the pros and cons of over-the-counter medications to determine if they are appropriate for your unique needs. If you are struggling with this decision consult your doctor and do additional research about these medications on your own. You are an expert on your own body and you need to take the knowledge that you know about yourself and compare and contrast it with each weight loss method to see if there is one that is right for you.

Although over-the-counter medications look appealing these drugs are for the most part ineffective and even potentially harmful to your health. The most effective weight loss method continues to be eating healthy and being physically active (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2010). Keep this in mind as you look at the best weight loss method for you. Don’t put your health in jeopardy by putting yourself at risk through using a weight loss method that could be harmful to your health.

References

Mayo Clinic Staff, 2010. Over-the-counter weight-loss pills: Do they work? Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/weight-loss/HQ01160.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2010; Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database.

[jongin]

I really try to stay away from weight loss pills. For me, all you need to lose weight is diet and exercise. It's the healthiest way and long term.