Each year, increasing numbers of people around the world are becoming overweight; this situation is also affecting children who have just started school. Often extreme measures are used to control this problem including surgery but others decide that dieting combined with an increase in physical activity is preferable. Weight reduction should be approached as a long term proposition especially when you consider it takes considerable time to become overweight so the use of weight loss drugs should be used with caution.

These drugs work in a variety of ways but mainly they try to fool the brain into thinking the stomach is full and increase the person's metabolism. The problem arose when it was found that one of the side effects from this type of drug was the increased risk of heart valve disease and of course the drug was quickly withdrawn from use. More recently, new drugs have been developed and prescribed by doctors; many of which are still waiting for FDA approval.

Most people have known friends or family members who have tried using diet pills and have seen tremendous improvement. This is obviously a very tempting prospect, to lose weight whilst eating the same diet. The weight loss drug manufacturers have spent a huge sum on research but this cannot be compared to the amount spent by consumers.

Even with all the testing and new techniques available for manufacturers, many side effects like nausea and diarrhea still exist with the new generation of weight control pills which, incidentally, can still be purchased over the counter. The harmful side effects have not been eliminated and it is possible that you could still suffer from hallucinations, stroke, tremors and heart attacks. You would need to read the user information for a full list of all the possible side effects.

The side effects vary depending on the lifestyle and health of the person and can be minimized as long as one consults the doctor first before buying them; it should be noted that if one stops using the drugs, the side effects will not necessarily cease. The effects of withdrawing the pills are irritability, vomiting, depression, fatigue and insomnia to name only a few of the reported conditions.

Despite all the bad publicity, weight loss drugs do work but they are more successful if they are used in conjunction with a low calorie diet and regular exercise, preferably using a properly worked out exercise regime. A low calorie diet would consist of meals that contain vitamins, minerals and fiber which are all essential for good health; the best sources are fruit and vegetables.

A person can jog every morning or sign up and workout in a gym but just as a person should consult a doctor before taking medicines, a doctor should also be consulted prior to undertaking any form of exercise. A good exercise plan with the use of weights will help improve the body's ability to burn off the calories and maintain a healthy heart.