Diet Pills
- What are anorectic drugs (diet pills)?
- How are they taken?
- What are the effects?
- What are the dangers?
- Are they addictive?
What are anorectic drugs (diet pills)?
- Anorectic drugs are marketed as appetite suppressants.
- They are similar to the dangerous drug class of Amphetamines.
- Anorectic drugs include: benzphetamine (Didrex), diethylproprion (Tenuate, Tepanil), fenfluramine (pondimin), mazindol (Sanorex, Mazanor), phendimetrazine (Bontril, Prelu-2, Plegine) and phentermine (Ionamine, AdipexP).
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How are they taken?
- Most diet pills can be purchased in the drug store without a prescription.
- They are swallowed (taken orally) to suppress appetite.
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What are the effects?
- Effects are similar to amphetamines, but are generally less potent.
- They speed up the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).
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What are the dangers?
- The dangers are similar to those of amphetamines.
- Some weight-loss products contain stimulants or diuretics that can cause high blood pressure, irregular heart rate, sleep problems, nervousness, seizures, and even death.
- Excessive weight loss can be dangerous.
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Are they addictive?
Diet pills are not considered an addictive drug like cocaine, heroin or alcohol because they do not produce the same compulsive drug-seeking behavior. However, people can become dependent on diet pills in the same way they can become dependent on caffeine or other stimulants.
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Sources:
Below are links PAMF accessed when researching this topic. PAMF, however, does not sponsor or endorse any of these sites, nor does PAMF guarantee the accuracy of the information contained on them.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA for Teens: The Science Behind Drug Abuse. Created with the help and advice of teens, presents information on the science behind drug abuse and has animated illustrations, quizzes, and games. Accessed June 2004.
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Drug Descriptions: Anorectic Drugs. Accessed June 2004.
Last Reviewed: October 2004
Below are links PAMF accessed when researching this topic. PAMF, however, does not sponsor or endorse any of these sites, nor does PAMF guarantee the accuracy of the information contained on them.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA for Teens: The Science Behind Drug Abuse. Created with the help and advice of teens, presents information on the science behind drug abuse and has animated illustrations, quizzes, and games. Accessed June 2004.
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Drug Descriptions: Anorectic Drugs. Accessed June 2004.
Last Reviewed: October 2004