Diet Pills Do More Harm Than Good

I. Introduction.

Diet pills promise a quick and easy solution to America’s obesity problem. Some prescription drugs guarantee to decrease appetite to help patients lose weight, while others promise to speed up metabolism to achieve the same results (“Weight Loss”). However, neither can similarly guarantee that their drug will not lead to cardiac issues in patients (“Weight Loss”). Yet another pill manufacturer boasts that its product prevents the body from absorbing fat in foods (“Weight Loss”). Yet, it fails to advertise with the same zeal that the product also prevents the body from absorbing necessary nutrients (“Weight Loss”). Non-prescription diet pills are not any safer. Many over-the-counter weight-loss solutions used to contain the stimulant “ephedra” (also known as “ma huang”) (Donelly). While ephedra suppresses appetite, it also raises heart rate and blood pressure. In February 2003, Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler, 23 -- an ephedra user – suddenly died after a spring training workout in Florida (Donnelly). The Broward County's chief medical examiner found that the stimulant contributed to the pitcher’s death (Donnelly). Ten short months later, the FDA asked that manufacturers voluntarily withdraw ephedra from the market, only to ban the supplement entirely in April 2004 (Donnelly). Unfortunately for the Baltimore Orioles and Steve Bechler, this finding came ten months too late.

II. Body.

A. Main Point #1 – Weight loss drugs may cause heart disease in patients.

Introduction: According to Costin, the majority of the diet pills available on the market today work to “stimulate the sympathetic nervous system and are amphetamine-type derivatives” (244). Unfortunately, the adverse side effects from the use of diet pills also include cardiac issues such as include high blood pressure (hypertension), heart palpations, insufficient blood flow to the heart (cardiac ischemia) (Costin 244).

1. The combination of prescription drugs phentermine and fenfluramine (trademark, “Fen-phen”) was found to cause dangerous cardiac complications in patients by increasing the risk of heart valve damage (“Weight loss”). FDA banned fenfluramine in 1997 (“Weight loss”). However, this was not the only weight loss drug that created cardiac problems.

2. Responding to pressure from the FDA. “sibutramine” (trademark, “Meridia”) was voluntarily withdrawn in the U.S. by the manufacturer amid widespread reports that the drug increased heart rate and blood pressure, also increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients (DeNoon, 2010). Given the number of cardiac-related side effects tied to diet pills, the FDA is naturally reluctant to quickly approve any new weight loss medication. Despite the odds, one drug still received approval, despite its connection to heart disease.

3. Although previously rejected by the FDA in 2010, Qnexa made it through a re-submission to the panel in 2012 (Gann). Qnexa's initial rejection in 2010 was because of the FDA’s concerns over the potential of Quexa to cause heart problems in patients, as well as other side effects. In this most recent review, the panel concluded that “the health risks of obesity and the benefits of losing weight outweighed the risks posed by the drug” (Gann). This diet pill promises to deliver weight loss, but query at what cost?

B. Main Point #2 – Weight loss drugs can easily be abused.

Introduction: With obesity reaching epidemic proportions in the U.S., more and more people are growing desperate to take off the extra pounds. According to researchers, between 50%-70% of Americans are trying to lose weight (Nicklas 481). Many of these individuals turn to diet pills in order to do so. However, the desperation to lose weight also increases the likelihood that these patients will abuse weight loss medications.

1. Many adolescents abuse over-the-counter weight loss products, such as diet pills, laxatives, and diuretics in order to lose weight (Bryn 1). Others manage to acquire prescription weight loss medicines and take those, as well (Bryn 1). Unfortunately, teenagers are not the only demographic obsessed with losing weight.

2. Many women combine anorexia or binge eating/bulimia with diet pill abuse, using stimulant drugs in particular (33). Women are noted to use diet pills as a way to reduce hunger and restrict their food intake, and “often as a compensatory reaction to binge eating” (244). This is not an effective way to lose weight and may also result in the order of unhealthy side effects.

3. Although in much smaller numbers, men also abuse weight loss drugs. Because men have a higher metabolic rate than women, it is generally easier for men to lose weight, and faster (Braun 422). Still, some men, frustrated with their weight just like their female counterparts, still turn to diet pills and laxatives (also often combined with bulimia) to lose weight (Braun 422). Interestingly, researchers also found that the use of non-prescription diet pills generally does not translate into successful weight loss at all (Nicklas et al. 485).

C. Main Point #3 – Weight loss drugs can easily replace physical activity.

Introduction: Exercise takes time and effort. In order to lose weight and maintain the weight loss, dieters must exercise at least 30 minutes per day, as well as add other physical activity into their already established daily routine (Nicklas et al. 484).

1. Obese people often look for a “quick-fix approach to weight management” (Gann). Unfortunately, there is no real “quick fix” and “painful but permanent” lifestyle changes that must be made in order to lose weight (Gann).

2. Medical professionals will never endorse the use of diet pills as a replacement for incorporating daily exercise into a diet program, combined with a healthy, balanced diet (“Weight Loss Drug”).

III. Conclusion.

Of all the solutions presented to weight loss, scientists have concluded that the most effective way to lose weight is by changing eating patterns (including limiting carbohydrates and portion control), incorporating exercise into your daily routine, and focusing on the goals already achieved (instead of the amount left to go) (Nicklas et al. 485). In order to be successful in losing weight and then keeping it off, it is important to exercise daily, plan whole food meals, track calories, carbohydrates, and fat and weigh themselves daily (Nicklas et al. 485). Skipping exercise and abusing diet pills is not the solution, and may even lead to lasting health problems, which are irreversible. In the worst-case scenario, the side effects of diet pills are fatal. The remaining members of the Baltimore Orioles, along with deceased pitcher, Steve Bechler’s family learned that after he abused ephedra. Hopefully, the rest of America learns this valuable lesson a little easier.

Works Cited

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“Weight Loss With Medication.” WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2013. <http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/weight-loss-medication>.

Austin, S. Bryn. “Clinician identification of youth abusing over-the-counter products for weight control in a large U.S. integrated health system.” Journal of Eating Disorders 1 (2013): 40. Print.

Braun, Debra. “More males seek treatment for eating disorder.” The International journal of eating disorders 1 (1999): 415. Print.

Costin, Carolyn. The eating disorder sourcebook: a comprehensive guide to the causes, treatments, and prevention of eating disorders. 3rd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2007. Print.

DeNoon, Daniel. “Weight Loss Drug Meridia Off the Market at FDA's Request.” WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2013. <http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20101008/fda-rejects-weight-loss-drug-meridia>.

Donnelly, Kathleen. “Diet Pills: A Dubious History of Problems.” MSN Healthy Living. MSN, n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2013. <http://healthyliving.msn.com/health-wellness/diet-pills-a-dubious-history-of-problems-1?pageart=2>.

Gann, Carrie. “Qnexa Ruling Renews Debate About Its Risks and Benefits.” ABC News. ABC News Network, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013. <http://abcnews.go.com/Health/qnexa-ruling-renews-debate-benefits-risks/story?id=15778129>.

Nicklas, Jacinda M., Karen W. Huskey, Roger B. Davis, and Christina C. Wee. “Successful Weight Loss Among Obese U.S. Adults.” American Journal of Preventative Medicine 42.5 (2012): 481-485. Print.