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are headache and pain at the injection site.

Another popular diet drug is Meridia, also known as sibutramine. This drug is manufactured by Abbott Laboratories. It works on two brain chemicals, serotonin and norepinephirine. The drug is typically taken once a day. Most doctors will only prescribe the drug for one year maximum. Common side effects are dry mouth, constipation, and insomnia. It is also been reported that patients experience significant weight gain after they discontinue taking the drug. At one point, Meridia was the target of concern because of claims that the drug increased patients' risk of heart attack and stroke. Recently, a variant of Meridia has been released as an over-the-counter diet pill called Alli. The Alli website claims it is the only over-the-counter weight-loss product that is FDA approved. Keep in mind, though, that Alli is a pill, not a drug, because it is sold over-the-counter.

Also on the market is a drug called Xenical (i.e. Orlistat). This diet drug works by reducing the body's absorption of fat from foods. It is generally taken three times a day with meals containing fat. There are no time limitations for taking this drug. The most common side effect is diarrhea after eating a high fat meal. Of those who have tried Xenical (Orlistat) most experience very slow weight-loss and are discouraged from continuing use of the drug.

It is evident that all diet drugs have limitations and side effects. There are very few on the market right now and, of those, few show any real promise for reducing body weight permanently. Of course, there are testimonies for each, claiming significant weight-loss. We must keep in mind that a drug that works for one person may not work for someone else. How do we choose then?

First of all, you discuss your options with your physician. Your physician knows about your health and can make a judgment about if you are a candidate for diet drugs.

Second, never buy prescription drugs over the Internet from a foreign country. Not only could doing so get you into legal trouble, but you could also get an inferior and potentially dangerous product.

Third, read forum posts to get information about the personal experiences of those individuals who have tried the drugs. However, keep in mind that weight-loss forums are used most frequently by people who are trying to lose weight. This could bias the discussions toward negative remarks about the drugs.

Finally, have confidence in yourself that you can lose the weight, with or without diet drugs. A physician once told me that diet drugs are intended only as a "crutch" to help you along. It is still up to you to make permanent, positive changes. Establish a routine, drink more water, reduce your intake of high calorie foods, and get moving. Even if you take a diet drug, you will still need to make these changes to keep the weight off because you will not be on the drug forever. Simply take some time and look on-line to see the success stories of people who have changed their appearances and their lives. You could be the next one!

Learn more about this author, Jennifer Paige.
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