Hazards of Diet Pills

The troubling aspect of diet pills is the often embarrassing and potentially dangerous side effects. Take the time to research the pills you're considering and find out if studies have been done by independent researchers or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). You should also speak with your doctor and make sure you don't have any conditions that would make you a risky candidate for using these products.

Poorly Regulated

• According to Newsweek, the FDA has limited regulatory power over diet pills. They cannot investigate them before they hit the market, unlike prescription drugs. Many diet pills are released to the public and later found to have undisclosed pharmaceutical ingredients, and must then be taken off the market.

  In March 2010, the FDA reported that 72 over-the-counter diet products contained ingredients that are potentially hazardous. If the product you're considering is new on the market, it's a good idea to wait until it has been thoroughly tested and evaluated by the FDA for safety.

Unpleasant Side Effects

• Diarrhea, flatulence, incontinence and oily spotting are just a few of the potential side effects of products like Alli, which attempt to inhibit the body's absorption of fat. SlimQuick and other diet pills can cause frequent urination and excessive sweating.

Dangerous Side Effects

• Some potential hazards include heart attacks, strokes, seizures, hypertension, insomnia, chest pains and even suicidal thoughts. The ingredients that cause these effects are often illegal in the U.S., but they are legal in the countries where the products are manufactured, and the pills are able to get into the hands of consumers before the FDA can investigate them properly.