Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Side Effects Of Diet Pills


Prescription diet pills have a great potential to help you lose weight and this can be very appealing, especially if you are someone who has struggled to lose weight in the past and who is obese, with a BMI of over 27.

There are a wide variety of diet pills on the market that are available, many of them have addictive qualities, and some even contain small amounts of laxative.

Woman Taking diet pill

Woman Taking diet pill


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, dry mouth, vomitting and diarrhea or constipation, intestinal disturbances, tightness in chest, tingling in extremities, excessive persperation, dizziness, disruption in mentrual cycle, change in sex drive, blurred vision, fever and urinary tract problems. Overdoses can cause tremors, confusion, hallucinations, shallow breathing, renal failure, heart attack and convulsions.

Side effects of diet pills that operate on the brain to reduce appetite include: raised blood pressure, chest pain, fever, hair loss, depression, headaches, impotence, heart damage, to name a few.

Prescription diet pills are very strong drugs, and each has the potential for dangerous side effects. Some of the side effects from taking prescription diet pills can be dangerous.Prescription diet pills like the new and popular Phen/Fen (phentermine/fenfluramine) should never be taken without the written prescription of a doctor. There is an ongoing debate about their effectiveness, and all the health risks and benefits should be weighed. It should only be used in cases of extreme obesity. In addition to the health risks above, taking Phen/Fen increases your chances of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension, which is a disease that attacks the lungs, has a poor prognosis, and is fatal.

Caffeine pills and/or Ephedrine Hydrochloride should never be taken for weight control, and should not be taken continuously. Ephedrine is a medication used occassionally to treat asthma, but more commonly allergies and hayfever - it is a bronchial dialator. Both can cause all the side effects as diet pills, with an increased risk of addiction (both physical and psychological), headaches, high blood pressure and heart palpitations and arrhythmias, including heart attack. Ephedrine use can contribute to psychosis, anxiety and depression.

Depression due to diet pills

Side effects of diet pills -depression


Diet pills with 'Natural', 'Herbal' or similar descriptions are not necessarily any healthier than other diet or weight loss pills. In fact, some of these herbal diet pills are associated with some major health concerns. So don't trust diet pills just because they sound 'natural'.

When Prescription weight loss diet pills are used under medical supervision in conjunction with a proper diet and exercise program, they can be effective - at least in the short term. That said, the body adjusts remarkably quickly to many diet pills, so the benefits may quickly wear off.

If you are a genuine candidate for diet pills - i.e. seriously obese, with a will to modify your diet and take regular physical exercise - I strongly advise you to consult your doctor and ask him to explain what weight loss pills may be suitable. Do not buy diet pills without consulting your doctor and better know side effects of diet pills first.

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