Weight loss drugs have a natural appeal. After all, how much easier could it be? Just pop a few pills and watch the weight melt away. While it may sound like a tempting prospect, a more important aspect to consider is whether or not these drugs are safe for you. Sure, you may want to lose weight, but is it worth the cost of potentially serious side effects? On the other hand, if some weight loss pills are safe, why not take them?

There are many kinds of weight loss drugs. Some of them have been around for many years like phentermine and diethylproprion, while others are brand new to the market, like Qsymia; some are available only with a doctor’s prescription, and others are available over the counter. None of these things, however, make a drug good or bad, so how can you tell if a particular weight loss drug is safe for you or not?

Every drug has the potential of side effects. The therapeutic properties of a drug can be thought of as positive side effects, while those that cause a bad reaction are negative side effects. While you want the positive side effect (in this case it would be losing weight), you probably don’t want the negative side effects. Of course, this will depend on the likelihood of experiencing such side effects, and how bad they are.

You should talk to your doctor before taking any prescription weight loss drug. Discuss what the side effects are, how often the side effects occur, and what the potential benefit is. Also, be sure to discuss any concerns you have about any particular drugs you are considering. Being well-informed is the key to getting the best prescription for you. Be careful if you have a low thyroid, high blood pressure or heart disease because almost all of these drugs have side effects related to these conditions.

Generally speaking, over the counter weight loss drugs are probably safe, but there are big questions about how effective they really are. There can still be side effects, though. Read the label and any enclosed documentation carefully. You need to see know the proper way of taking it, as well as what the potential side effects are. You will usually see a list of common side effects, and a list of side effects that are more serious and may require medical attention. Just because you can find these pills in the aisle at the drugstore does not mean they are safe, and it certainly does not mean that they are effective.

There is one big secret behind almost every over the counter weight loss drug. Well, it’s not technically a secret, but it’s worded in a way that some may consider misleading. What you will usually see is some sort of claim about how much weight you can lose by using the product, but then they add a little bit more. After that it will say something to the effect of “as long as you follow the enclosed weight loss plan.” In other words, you are going on a diet and taking some pills. It’s fair to ask if it’s the pills of the diet that cause people to lose weight.

For the most part, weight loss drugs are safe. You still need to do some investigating first, to see if they are right for you.

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