Types of Medication

Types of Weight Loss Medications:

     There are 2 types of weight loss drugs: prescription-only diet pills and over-the-counter (otc) diet pills.

Prescription Diet Pills

     These pills are diet drugs and are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration agency (FDA). This means their side effects are monitored and they may be advertised and prescribed for weight loss under certain condition and in certain pill-dosages. Examples of prescription diet pills include brands like: Meridia (Sibutramine), Xenical (Orlistat), Adipex, Bontril, Didrex, Phentermine and Tenuate.

* Prescription Diet Pills are Designed for Obesity Sufferers

     Diet pills are principally designed for those suffering from serious obesity - e.g. with a body mass index of 35+. Diet and weight loss drugs are not a cosmetic solution for weight loss, neither are they intended to replace conventional diet and weight loss programs. Dieters who fail to lose weight on regular diet plans should not turn to pills as an easy answer to their weight problems. Instead, they should continue with their weight loss diet and work on improving their motivation to lose weight and exercise.

Over-the-Counter Diet Pills and Weight Loss Supplements

     The OTC diet and weight loss pills sector is probably the fastest growing sector of the weight loss industry. However, these diet pills are classified as food supplements rather than diet drugs, and are relatively unregulated. These diet pills are not tested by Federal authorities, and not subject to the same advertising, dosage or labeling requirements as prescription diet pills. This is the case even though some experts consider that many OTC diet supplements and weight loss pills are drugs. OTC 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'.

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