Diet pills are always considered to be an easy option that can be resorted to in order to reduce weight. But you need to ensure that they FDA approved. Here’s some help…
FDA approved diet pills are those medications that are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. They are approved after going through different stages of testing, which tends to take many years. So if you are taking an FDA approved diet pill, then you can rest assured that it’ll not just be safe, but will also be effective. Having said that, these medications or pills are only supposed to be taken as directed, as not all are safe and suitable for long-term use.
List of Diet Pills Approved by FDA
Firstly, only taking pills is not sufficient to lose weight. Along with them, exercise and healthy diets are suggested for best results.
Phendimetrazine
Phendimetrazine is a diet supplement that is approved for short-term use. As mentioned earlier, it needs to be accompanied with a healthy diet and adequate exercise. Those who have responded negatively to a weight loss program before should not believe that they needn’t go through it again. Diet and exercise are a must for this diet pill to be effective. Phendimetrazine is a prescription weight loss drug, and is a strong appetite suppressant. In fact, as compared to the other diet pills that fall in this class, it is stronger. It’s identified with the brand name bontril.
Xenical
Xenical is again a prescription weight loss diet pill that plays the role of a fat blocke, as it blocks about 30% of dietary fat from being absorbed by the body. This FDA approved diet pill also ensures better results with a combination of exercise and diet. It is advisable not to consume fatty foods while taking these pills. There may be side effects such as digestive problems if these pills are not taken correctly. Therefore, it is a prescription drug that is only supposed to be taken as directed.
Phentermine
Phentermine is another of those diet pills that are approved for short-term use. Originally, phentermine was known under the brand name Fastin, but now it is available under the brand name Adipex-P. It is a sympathomimetic appetite suppressant that works by acting on the central nervous system.
Alli is the only over-the-counter diet pill that is FDA approved. But it is always recommended to consult with a doctor, be it in the case of this diet pill also.
Diet Pills Withdrawn from FDA Approval
Following are some of the diet pills that were previously approved by the FDA, and due to cases of people experiencing peculiar side effects, these appetite suppressants are now withdrawn from the market.
Sibutramine
The fact that this pill is off the market now is not something that could be predicted. This is because, when the trend of diet pills started, this was the only appetite suppressant that was approved by the FDA for long-term use (up to 2 years). In the US, sibutramine was marketed under the brand Meridia, before it was withdrawn in the year 2010. The reason behind the withdrawal was due to the reported cases of cardiovascular side effects.
Amfepramone
Amfepramone was identified with the brand name Tenuate. It was used for the treatment of weight loss, but was to be used short-term only. However, it is now withdrawn from the market completely.
Ephedra
This is another FDA approved diet pill that has been withdrawn due to health problems and side effects, that remain unknown.
Disclaimer: This NutriNeat article is for informative purposes only. Consult your physician/nutritionist before starting any diet plan.