Over the counter diet pills contain diuretics to assist the body in flushing out excess fluids. A lot if the foods that we eat contain a lot of salt, which retains water naturally. One of these diuretics is caffeine.

Over the counter diet pills are not expensive, and can be bought anywhere. They are available in grocery store, pharmacies, and department stores and in some instances, small convenience stores.

Over the counter diet pills are one of the few drugs that are not regulated by the food and drug administration. This makes it very difficult to document any side affects or assess any risks associated with taking over the counter diet pills. Only when private companies decide to study the diet pills for side affects will the results be made public. Most over the counter diet pills are never tested.

Prescription diet pills do not contain the same ingredients, as over the counter diet pills. Prescription diet pills contain ingredients that are stronger and work in different ways. Some release a neurotransmitter called serotonin, which is found naturally in the body. Serotonin affects moods, and can help curb the appetite.

Doctors are reluctant to prescribe diet pills, and will only do so for their patients that are obese. Even then, the doctor will closely monitor the patient's progress by charting their weight and doing blood tests often. Doctors will recommend a strict diet and exercise routing for their overweight patient. Sometimes, the patient does not want to wait that long for dieting results and will buy over the counter diet pills.

The advantage of prescription diet pills is that the food and drug administration has the power to test any prescription diet pill that is developed. It can take up to ten years of study to approve one diet pill. This is done for the safety of the public.

In past decades, there have been great and heated debate regarding diet pills. Some feel that the food and drug administration should be able to test over the counter diet pills just as it does prescription diet pills. They both do the same thing.

Manufacturers of diet pills do not want to have the restrictions the food and drug administration would impose if they were to take over testing their products.

The two sides have been battling for years over this subject. The battle will continue as both sides feel that they are right.

The manufacturers of diet pills stand to loose a lot if the food and drug administration were to win.

In past decades, millions of people have benefited from taking diet pills. When they are taken in the correct dosage, diet pills can assist the overweight in achieving their weight loss goals.

Always consult a physician before starting any weight loss program.