WHAT DIET PILLS FOR OBESITY?

This is a: Stanford Heart Network Tip of the Day

Don't be fooled by diet pills that promise overnight miracles.

For the obese, sibutramine and orlistat are the only prescription weight-loss drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration for long-term use.

The FDA has also approved the over-the-counter sale of lower-dose orlistat for adults age 18 and over. Its side effects are similar to those for prescription orlistat.

To see if this type of intervention might be right for you, talk to your doctor. Drugs may support weight loss for some people, but are not considered a long-term solution.