With so many diet pills available you may wonder, what diet pills actually work for weight loss? The answer is there are a few diet pills that actually work, but there are no magic pills. You can’t take any kind of diet pill, continue to eat everything in site, lead a sedentary life and expect to lose weight. Shrinking your waist requires a change in lifestyle. This means making healthy changes in your diet and getting your body up and moving.

The diet pills available today may be safer than diet pills in the past, that doesn’t mean they are safe and effective for every individual. Each diet pill is different and each comes with its own set of side effects. You should talk in depth with your physician about any diet pill or supplement you are considering taking. Here is a list of some of the more popular diet pills today and the pertinent information about each.

Meridia (sibutramine)

If you are very overweight or obese and are always hungry, you may want to talk to your doctor about Meridia, a prescription obesity drug that suppresses appetite. It is not known exactly how Meridia works, but it is believed that the loss of appetite that occurs in patients taking the drug is one of the key factors that aid in weight loss.

This drug is only used by people who are very overweight or obese. It is not prescribed to someone who thinks that five or ten pounds is a problem! This drug is for the individual who needs to lose some serious weight and who wants an aid that will help do away with that ravenous hunger feeling.

It’s important to know that Meridia can increase the risk of stroke or heart attack and it can raise your blood pressure. In fact, the drug has been banned in Italy because so many people were having adverse reactions to it. The FDA is currently monitoring Meridia to see if it is indeed safe.

Byetta (exenatide) and Glucophage (metformin)

Byetta and Glucophage are diabetic drugs use to treat individuals with type 2 diabetes. These drugs are used to manage blood sugar levels. Glucophage is given orally while Byetta is an injectable medication.

If you are a type 2 diabetic, or if you suffer from hormonal conditions that are linked to insulin resistance, your doctor may prescribe Byetta or Glucophage to help you lose weight. Unlike other weight loss drugs, insurance companies will more than likely pick up the tab on these medications as they are classified as “diabetic medications.”

Zimulti (rimonabant)

One of the shining stars in the weight loss industry is Zimulti but you won’t find it in the United States because at the time of this writing, it hasn’t been approved by the FDA. The FDA has been reluctant to approve it because is has shown to increase the risk of suicidal thoughts. You can find it, however, in the European Union under the name Acomplia.

Alli (orlistat)

Alli can be purchased over-the-counter. It is a reduced-strength version of Orlistat, which is a prescription obesity drug. Alli works for weight loss by limiting the amount of fat in the foods you eat from being absorbed by the body. The fat that isn’t absorbed is removed from the body by bowel movements. By limiting the fat that is absorbed in the body, Alli helps to reduce the number of calories absorbed.

There is a drawback to Alli that consumers should know about. If you eat too much fat you may soil or leak on yourself. These kinds of accidents can be embarrassing, so be forewarned. These occurrences can be prevented, however, by limiting the amount of fat you consumer per meal.

Supplements

Don’t take any kind of diet supplements until you know what they are, even if they claim to be “natural.” Just because they are natural doesn’t mean they are good for you. For instance, bitter orange extract is being used as an ephedra replacement in many diet supplements. As you probably know, ephedra was banned because it caused adverse reaction in people, including several strokes and deaths.

Two supplements which seem safe and may aid in weight loss are hoodia gordonii and green tea extract. Hoodia is a natural appetite suppressant that has virtually no side effects. Green tea contains EGCG, an antioxidant that may help boost metabolism, according to some studies.

What diet pills really work for weight loss? Well, that depends. Some of the pills mentioned here may or may not be suitable for you - and even though they work for one person, they may not do a thing for you. Supplements may be a safer alternative but they come with certain risks as well. That’s why it’s important to make diet and exercise the main components of your weight loss program. Diet pills and supplements should only be used as a temporary aid and you should always consult with a doctor first before taking them!