Are Over-the-Counter Diet Pills as Effective as Phentermine?

有两种减肥药:售出the counter as weight loss supplements and those available only by prescription. Orlistat is a weight loss pill that can be purchased at higher doses with a prescription, though it is also sold over-the-counter in lower doses. Other products sold without a prescription are considered weight loss supplements and are not regulated by the FDA. Phentermine is an FDA-approved prescription weight loss medication and should only be taken under a doctor's supervised care.

Orlistat is marketed over the counter under the brand name Alli. At 60 mg, it is half the strength of its prescription counterparts, according to Drugs.com. Often called a "fat blocker," this medication works by preventing the body from absorbing all of the fat you eat. Dietary changes are required to avoid unpleasant side effects caused by the excretion of excess fat through the bowel. Exercise is also recommend as part of an overall weight loss plan that includes orlistat.

According to Drugs.com, phentermine is a stimulant similar to amphetamine. It suppresses the appetite by directly affecting the central nervous system. Phentermine is a drug of abuse and can be addictive. It is important that phentermine be taken as directed; it should never be stopped suddenly.

According to ConsumerSearch.com, evidence to support the use of most OTC diet pills is seriously lacking. Therefore, it is difficult to make a comparison between these unregulated supplements and proven medications such as orlistat and phentermine.

芬特明和奥利司他被引用MayoClinic.com网站作为减肥的有用工具，但前提是你的体重指数大于30，或大于27，如果你有与肥胖相关的严重疾病。许多人一旦停止服用这些药物，体重就会恢复；这就是为什么医生在给他们开减肥药的同时还要给他们开饮食和运动处方。

糖尿病生活方式网站据报道，在4000名患者中，奥利司他在一年中帮助他们减轻了10%的体重。奥利司他是唯一被批准长期使用的减肥药。因为FDA只批准芬特明短期使用，所以很难将其有效性与奥利司他进行比较。糖尿病生活方式网站注意，芬特明研究显示，使用芬特明20周或更少的患者平均体重减轻6.6磅。

In 2007, the Federal Trade Commission fined the makers of several OTC diet supplements $25 million for making advertising claims not backed by scientific evidence. In 2009, the FDA issued a warning regarding 72 OTC diet pills because of undeclared ingredients that could lead to high blood pressure, seizures or stroke. Some products have been pulled off of the market as a result.

Over-the-counter versions of orlistat are considered generally safe. Still, this drug is under investigation by the FDA because of reports of serious liver damage; these reports are rare, however. Always consult a physician before using OTC orlistat.

Taking phentermine with other diet medications can cause a fatal lung disorder called pulmonary hypertension. If you have coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, overactive thyroid, glaucoma, a history of drug or alcohol abuse or are allergic to other diet pills, amphetamines, stimulants or cold medications you should not take this medication.