Weight Management: Should I Use Over-the-Counter Diet Aids?
Weight Management: Should I Use Over-the-Counter Diet Aids?Skip to the navigationYou may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Weight Management: Should I Use Over-the-Counter Diet Aids?Get the factsYour options- Use an over-the-counter diet aid to help you
lose weight.
- Get to a healthy weight by eating right and
exercising.
Key points to remember- No
over-the-counter diet aids have been proven to be both
safe and effective for everyone.
- When a diet aid does work, it's
usually because the person followed the manufacturer's recommendations to
follow a healthy eating plan and get more exercise while taking the
supplement.
- It's wise to talk to your doctor before you take any
over-the-counter diet aid.
- Most over-the-counter diet aids and
other supplements are not regulated, so makers can make any claims they want to
about how well their products work.
- Are you at a healthy weight? If you are, you're better off
forgetting about weight loss. Instead, learn healthy eating and activity habits
that will help you stay at a healthy weight.
FAQs Before you consider
whether to use any over-the-counter diet aid, find out if you really need to
lose weight. A healthy weight is a weight that lowers your risk for health
problems. For most people,
body mass index (BMI) and
waist size are good ways to tell if they are at a
healthy weight. If you practice healthy eating habits and are
active enough to stay healthy, then weighing a few extra pounds is not bad for
your health unless you have other medical problems. On the other hand, dieting
can be bad for your health. Diets almost never work, and
they can cause many people to fall into an unhealthy cycle of losing and
gaining weight. This is often called yo-yo dieting. It may be harder on the
body than just being overweight. If you are thinking about losing
weight, ask your doctor whether it's a good idea for you. There are
many products for weight loss that you can buy without a prescription at
drugstores and supermarkets and over the Internet. Many of these have never
been proved to work, and those that do work usually come with warnings. What about Alli?Alli (say "AL-eye") is a lower-dose version of
the prescription drug
orlistat (Xenical), which is used to treat obesity.
You can buy Alli without a prescription. Orlistat has been proved
to help people lose weight.footnote 1 It works by preventing
fat absorption, so that the fat you eat moves through your intestines
undigested. But the weight loss amounts to only a few pounds, and the drug's
side effects can be very unpleasant. The side effects include
sudden loose stools and oily spotting on your underwear. The more fat you eat,
the worse the side effects are, so it's best to limit fat while you are taking
this drug. Do not take Alli if you: - Have had an organ transplant.
- Are
pregnant or breastfeeding.
Talk to your doctor before you take Alli, but especially
if you: - Take blood-thinning
medicines.
- Have diabetes or thyroid disease.
Most over-the-counter diet aids don't have to pass
government tests for safety or effectiveness. Long-term studies are
the only way to tell if a medicine or supplement works and is safe. And there
are very few such studies of diet aids. But we know about the following risks:
- Over-the-counter appetite suppressants
shouldn't be used by people who have heart disease, high blood pressure,
diabetes, kidney problems, thyroid problems, glaucoma, or depression.
- Appetite suppressants are only intended for use for a short time
(8 to 12 weeks). But staying at a healthy weight is a lifelong effort. It is
costly and possibly dangerous to depend on these medicines to control your
weight for long periods of time. If you are going to use these drugs to help
you lose weight, be sure to also make healthy changes to your diet and get
regular exercise.
- Water-loss pills (diuretics, such as Aqua-Ban)
only get rid of water and do not reduce the amount of fat in your body. Using
water-loss pills to lose weight is not recommended and can be
dangerous.
- Because diet supplements are not regulated,
manufacturers sometimes make claims that aren't true. For example, just because
the label says the supplement is "all natural" doesn't mean it's safe. Many
things that are "natural" can still hurt you. And manufacturers may cite only
their own studies to show how well their products work.
- Many
products contain 20 or more ingredients, so it's really hard to know how all
the ingredients will interact with each other in your body and how they will
interact with any other medicines or supplements you are
taking.
- You shouldn't take cough or cold medicines while you take
some of these diet pills. They contain some of the same medicine, and you could
get too much. Ask your pharmacist if it's safe to take cold medicine with the
diet pills you are taking.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns people
not to use certain diet aids that are known to be tainted with drugs or
chemicals. You can find the FDA's warning list, which includes many popular
diet aids, at www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm103184.htm. The FDA has banned the sale of ephedra (also known as ma huang) because of concerns about safety.
The product has been linked to heart attacks, strokes, and some deaths. It's wise to talk to
your doctor before you take any over-the-counter diet aid. Your doctor is not likely to recommend that you use an
over-the-counter diet aid in your efforts to reach a healthy weight and stay
there. The best way to get to a healthy weight and stay there is to eat right
and exercise regularly. To be safe, always talk to your doctor
before using any weight-loss product. Compare your options | |
|---|
What is usually involved? |
| |
|---|
What are the benefits? |
| |
|---|
What are the risks and side effects? |
| |
|---|
Use an over-the-counter
diet aid Use an over-the-counter
diet aid - You buy a diet
aid at a store and follow the instructions on the package.
- Some diet aids
may help you feel less hungry so you don't eat as much.
- Studies
show that Alli helps some people lose a small amount of weight.
- There is no proof that most over-the-counter diet aids
work.
- You shouldn't use them if you have heart disease, high blood
pressure, diabetes, kidney problems, thyroid problems, glaucoma, or depression.
- Using water-loss pills to lose weight can be
dangerous.
- Most diet aids don't have to pass government safety
tests.
Don't use an
over-the-counter diet aid Don't use an
over-the-counter diet aid - You
manage your weight by eating healthy foods and getting the right amount of
physical activity.
- Learning
to eat healthy foods and getting the right amount of physical activity is the
best way to control your weight.
- You avoid the possible risks and
side effects of diet aids.
- You won't lose weight unless you learn to eat healthy foods
and get the right amount of physical activity.
I have a
lot of weight to lose, and I want to try an over-the-counter diet aid. I'm not
technically obese, but my weight is definitely not healthy. I've tried to make
healthy eating and exercise work, but I think I need more help.
I thought about using a diet aid to help
myself lose weight, but I've decided against it. I know that I'm overweight
because of some bad habits I've developed. I plan to improve my eating and
activity habits by taking a few small steps at a time. I plan to
use an over-the-counter diet aid. I talked to my doctor about it, and she
wasn't too enthusiastic. But we agreed on a plan where I will check in with her
often so she can monitor my progress and any side effects I may have.
I was all set to start using a diet aid,
but my doctor talked me out of it. He told me how the research just doesn't
support using these supplements, especially considering some of the possible
side effects. He said changing my lifestyle habits would be better for my
health in the long run. What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to use over-the-counter diet aids Reasons not to use over-the-counter diet aids I'm desperate and have to try something else, even though I know that diet aids don't usually work. I don't feel so desperate that I have to try something that I know probably won't work. More important Equally important More important I'm not worried about spending money on diet pills that may not work. I don't want to spend money on something that I know may not work. More important Equally important More important I'm willing to have my doctor monitor my progress while I use a diet aid. I'm not willing to have my doctor monitor my progress. More important Equally important More important I'm not worried about using supplements that may have unknown side effects. I'm very worried about using supplements that may have unknown side effects. More important Equally important More important My other important reasons: My other important reasons: More important Equally important More important Where are you leaning now?
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Using over-the-counter diet aids NOT using over-the-counter diet aids Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward What else do you need to make your decision?1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Not sure at all Somewhat sure Very sure Your SummaryHere's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. Next stepsWhich way you're leaningHow sure you areYour commentsKey concepts that you understoodKey concepts that may need reviewCredits | Author | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator |
|---|
References Citations - Rucker D, et al. (2007). Long term pharmacotherapy for obesity and overweight: Updated meta-analysis. BMJ. Published online November 15, 2007 (doi:10.1136/bmj.39385.413113.25).
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Weight Management: Should I Use Over-the-Counter Diet Aids?Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. - Get the facts
- Compare your options
- What matters most to you?
- Where are you leaning now?
- What else do you need to make your decision?
1. Get the FactsYour options- Use an over-the-counter diet aid to help you
lose weight.
- Get to a healthy weight by eating right and
exercising.
Key points to remember- No
over-the-counter diet aids have been proven to be both
safe and effective for everyone.
- When a diet aid does work, it's
usually because the person followed the manufacturer's recommendations to
follow a healthy eating plan and get more exercise while taking the
supplement.
- It's wise to talk to your doctor before you take any
over-the-counter diet aid.
- Most over-the-counter diet aids and
other supplements are not regulated, so makers can make any claims they want to
about how well their products work.
- Are you at a healthy weight? If you are, you're better off
forgetting about weight loss. Instead, learn healthy eating and activity habits
that will help you stay at a healthy weight.
FAQs Are you at a healthy weight?Before you consider
whether to use any over-the-counter diet aid, find out if you really need to
lose weight. A healthy weight is a weight that lowers your risk for health
problems. For most people,
body mass index (BMI) and
waist size are good ways to tell if they are at a
healthy weight. If you practice healthy eating habits and are
active enough to stay healthy, then weighing a few extra pounds is not bad for
your health unless you have other medical problems. On the other hand, dieting
can be bad for your health. Diets almost never work, and
they can cause many people to fall into an unhealthy cycle of losing and
gaining weight. This is often called yo-yo dieting. It may be harder on the
body than just being overweight. If you are thinking about losing
weight, ask your doctor whether it's a good idea for you. What are over-the-counter diet aids?There are
many products for weight loss that you can buy without a prescription at
drugstores and supermarkets and over the Internet. Many of these have never
been proved to work, and those that do work usually come with warnings. What about Alli?Alli (say "AL-eye") is a lower-dose version of
the prescription drug
orlistat (Xenical), which is used to treat obesity.
You can buy Alli without a prescription. Orlistat has been proved
to help people lose weight.1 It works by preventing
fat absorption, so that the fat you eat moves through your intestines
undigested. But the weight loss amounts to only a few pounds, and the drug's
side effects can be very unpleasant. The side effects include
sudden loose stools and oily spotting on your underwear. The more fat you eat,
the worse the side effects are, so it's best to limit fat while you are taking
this drug. Do not take Alli if you: - Have had an organ transplant.
- Are
pregnant or breastfeeding.
Talk to your doctor before you take Alli, but especially
if you: - Take blood-thinning
medicines.
- Have diabetes or thyroid disease.
What are the risks or side effects of over-the-counter diet aids?Most over-the-counter diet aids don't have to pass
government tests for safety or effectiveness. Long-term studies are
the only way to tell if a medicine or supplement works and is safe. And there
are very few such studies of diet aids. But we know about the following risks:
- Over-the-counter appetite suppressants
shouldn't be used by people who have heart disease, high blood pressure,
diabetes, kidney problems, thyroid problems, glaucoma, or depression.
- Appetite suppressants are only intended for use for a short time
(8 to 12 weeks). But staying at a healthy weight is a lifelong effort. It is
costly and possibly dangerous to depend on these medicines to control your
weight for long periods of time. If you are going to use these drugs to help
you lose weight, be sure to also make healthy changes to your diet and get
regular exercise.
- Water-loss pills (diuretics, such as Aqua-Ban)
only get rid of water and do not reduce the amount of fat in your body. Using
water-loss pills to lose weight is not recommended and can be
dangerous.
- Because diet supplements are not regulated,
manufacturers sometimes make claims that aren't true. For example, just because
the label says the supplement is "all natural" doesn't mean it's safe. Many
things that are "natural" can still hurt you. And manufacturers may cite only
their own studies to show how well their products work.
- Many
products contain 20 or more ingredients, so it's really hard to know how all
the ingredients will interact with each other in your body and how they will
interact with any other medicines or supplements you are
taking.
- You shouldn't take cough or cold medicines while you take
some of these diet pills. They contain some of the same medicine, and you could
get too much. Ask your pharmacist if it's safe to take cold medicine with the
diet pills you are taking.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns people
not to use certain diet aids that are known to be tainted with drugs or
chemicals. You can find the FDA's warning list, which includes many popular
diet aids, at www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm103184.htm. The FDA has banned the sale of ephedra (also known as ma huang) because of concerns about safety.
The product has been linked to heart attacks, strokes, and some deaths. It's wise to talk to
your doctor before you take any over-the-counter diet aid. Why might your doctor recommend an over-the-counter diet aid?Your doctor is not likely to recommend that you use an
over-the-counter diet aid in your efforts to reach a healthy weight and stay
there. The best way to get to a healthy weight and stay there is to eat right
and exercise regularly. To be safe, always talk to your doctor
before using any weight-loss product. 2. Compare your options| | Use an over-the-counter
diet aid | Don't use an
over-the-counter diet aid |
|---|
| What is usually involved? | - You buy a diet
aid at a store and follow the instructions on the package.
| - You
manage your weight by eating healthy foods and getting the right amount of
physical activity.
|
|---|
| What are the benefits? | - Some diet aids
may help you feel less hungry so you don't eat as much.
- Studies
show that Alli helps some people lose a small amount of weight.
| - Learning
to eat healthy foods and getting the right amount of physical activity is the
best way to control your weight.
- You avoid the possible risks and
side effects of diet aids.
|
|---|
| What are the risks and side effects? | - There is no proof that most over-the-counter diet aids
work.
- You shouldn't use them if you have heart disease, high blood
pressure, diabetes, kidney problems, thyroid problems, glaucoma, or depression.
- Using water-loss pills to lose weight can be
dangerous.
- Most diet aids don't have to pass government safety
tests.
| - You won't lose weight unless you learn to eat healthy foods
and get the right amount of physical activity.
|
|---|
Personal storiesPersonal stories about using over-the-counter diet aids
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
"I have a lot of weight to lose, and I want to try an over-the-counter diet aid. I'm not technically obese, but my weight is definitely not healthy. I've tried to make healthy eating and exercise work, but I think I need more help." "I thought about using a diet aid to help myself lose weight, but I've decided against it. I know that I'm overweight because of some bad habits I've developed. I plan to improve my eating and activity habits by taking a few small steps at a time." "I plan to use an over-the-counter diet aid. I talked to my doctor about it, and she wasn't too enthusiastic. But we agreed on a plan where I will check in with her often so she can monitor my progress and any side effects I may have." "I was all set to start using a diet aid, but my doctor talked me out of it. He told me how the research just doesn't support using these supplements, especially considering some of the possible side effects. He said changing my lifestyle habits would be better for my health in the long run." 3. What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to use over-the-counter diet aids Reasons not to use over-the-counter diet aids I'm desperate and have to try something else, even though I know that diet aids don't usually work. I don't feel so desperate that I have to try something that I know probably won't work. More important Equally important More important I'm not worried about spending money on diet pills that may not work. I don't want to spend money on something that I know may not work. More important Equally important More important I'm willing to have my doctor monitor my progress while I use a diet aid. I'm not willing to have my doctor monitor my progress. More important Equally important More important I'm not worried about using supplements that may have unknown side effects. I'm very worried about using supplements that may have unknown side effects. More important Equally important More important My other important reasons: My other important reasons: More important Equally important More important 4. Where are you leaning now?
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Using over-the-counter diet aids NOT using over-the-counter diet aids Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward 5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
1.
Are most diet aids safe for anyone to use? You're right. No over-the-counter diet aids have been proved to be both safe and effective for everyone. 2.
Do I need to make any lifestyle changes while I'm using a diet aid? That's right. Even with a diet aid, you probably won't lose weight unless you also follow a healthy eating plan and get more exercise. Decide what's next1.
Do you understand the options available to you? 2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? Certainty1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Not sure at all Somewhat sure Very sure 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. Credits | By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator |
|---|
References Citations - Rucker D, et al. (2007). Long term pharmacotherapy for obesity and overweight: Updated meta-analysis. BMJ. Published online November 15, 2007 (doi:10.1136/bmj.39385.413113.25).
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.Current as of:
October 13, 2016 Rucker D, et al. (2007). Long term pharmacotherapy for obesity and overweight: Updated meta-analysis. BMJ. Published online November 15, 2007 (doi:10.1136/bmj.39385.413113.25). Last modified on: 8 September 2017
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