Prescription or OTC: Which Diet Pill is Right?
October 18th, 2009
Art Gib asked:
Diet pills have been on the market for more than 10 years and have helped countless people to lose the extra weight they have fought to lose for so long. When choosing the one that is right for you, there are two main choices available to people who are overweight: the prescription pill and the over the counter pill. Both offer a unique way to fight the battle of the bulge.
The Prescription Diet Pill
Prescription weight-loss pills are often aimed at the sector of the population defined as obese or morbidly obese. These are typically strong fat blockers and strong hunger reducers and thus should not be used by those who only have a couple of pounds to lose to fit into that perfect outfit.
The prescription diet pill market has recently moved into the over the counter market with the FDA approval of Alli for use without a prescription. Alli works within the digestive system to block the fat from being absorbed by the body. On average, about 25% of the total fat consumed throughout the day is blocked and excreted from the body.
When using Alli, in either prescription or over the counter form, it is important to reduce the amount of fat eaten at each meal. According to the Alli guidelines, no meal should contain more than 20 to 25 grams of fat. Any more and the body will suffer from the gastrointestinal side effects associated with the medication, including gas, bloating and loose stools.
The Over the Counter Diet Pill
The over the counter weight-loss pill is a huge money maker in the retail setting. People from all walks of life use these pills for energy, hunger reduction and to increase metabolism. The supplemental forms of these kind of dietary supplement are not regulated or approved by the FDA.
When choosing to use an over the counter supplement, it is important to discuss your choice with your physician as the supplement’s ingredients may interact with a prescription medication you are currently taking.
Weight loss supplements are produced in order to help people move from being overweight to being of healthy weight. With the help of dietary supplements, people all over the world are reducing their chance of heart attack, stroke and adult onset diabetes.
It is important to understand the effects of the weight-loss pill on the body and to take the recommended dosage for both prescription diet pills and over the counter diet pill varieties.
Diet pills have been on the market for more than 10 years and have helped countless people to lose the extra weight they have fought to lose for so long. When choosing the one that is right for you, there are two main choices available to people who are overweight: the prescription pill and the over the counter pill. Both offer a unique way to fight the battle of the bulge.
The Prescription Diet Pill
Prescription weight-loss pills are often aimed at the sector of the population defined as obese or morbidly obese. These are typically strong fat blockers and strong hunger reducers and thus should not be used by those who only have a couple of pounds to lose to fit into that perfect outfit.
The prescription diet pill market has recently moved into the over the counter market with the FDA approval of Alli for use without a prescription. Alli works within the digestive system to block the fat from being absorbed by the body. On average, about 25% of the total fat consumed throughout the day is blocked and excreted from the body.
When using Alli, in either prescription or over the counter form, it is important to reduce the amount of fat eaten at each meal. According to the Alli guidelines, no meal should contain more than 20 to 25 grams of fat. Any more and the body will suffer from the gastrointestinal side effects associated with the medication, including gas, bloating and loose stools.
The Over the Counter Diet Pill
The over the counter weight-loss pill is a huge money maker in the retail setting. People from all walks of life use these pills for energy, hunger reduction and to increase metabolism. The supplemental forms of these kind of dietary supplement are not regulated or approved by the FDA.
When choosing to use an over the counter supplement, it is important to discuss your choice with your physician as the supplement’s ingredients may interact with a prescription medication you are currently taking.
Weight loss supplements are produced in order to help people move from being overweight to being of healthy weight. With the help of dietary supplements, people all over the world are reducing their chance of heart attack, stroke and adult onset diabetes.
It is important to understand the effects of the weight-loss pill on the body and to take the recommended dosage for both prescription diet pills and over the counter diet pill varieties.

