Diet Drug FAQs
What is a diet drug?
A diet drug is a substance intended to aid in weight loss. Some diet drugs must be prescribed by doctors (usually in combination with diet and exercise plans) while others may be purchased over the counter. Most diet drugs work through appetite suppression, but some work by creating an increased feeling of satiety after eating. Finally, orlistat is the first in a new type of diet drugs known as lipase inhibitors, which do not work to suppress appetite but instead block fat absorption in the body.
What is a dietary supplement?
The 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) defines a dietary supplement as a product taken orally that adds to a person's diet through the use of nutritional ingredients. Examples of dietary supplements include vitamins, minerals, herbs, and enzymes. Some diet pills used to enhance weight loss are marketed as nonprescription dietary supplements.
What is the FDA's role in monitoring diet drugs and dietary supplements?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) views dietary supplements as foods rather than drugs. Dietary supplements do not need FDA approval unless they contain a new ingredient that must be tested. The DSHEA places the initial responsibility of determining whether or not a product is safe on the manufacturer. The FDA must demonstrate that a dietary supplement has harmed consumers before it can stop it from being sold.
The FDA's standards for drugs are much stricter than for foods. Prescription diet drugs must be tested for safety and effectiveness before being sold and administered. Drug manufacturers must record, research, and share with the FDA any information about illnesses or injuries pertaining to their products.
What diet drugs are currently available by prescription for long-term use?
At the present time, the FDA has only approved two drugs, sibutramine (Meridia) and orlistat (Xenical), for long-term use. Sibutramine is the only appetite suppressant that can be prescribed for an extended duration. Orlistat belongs to a new class of diet drugs that works by limiting the amount of fat stored in the body after eating. It does not affect appetite.
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