There's no shame in needing a little extra help to lose weight. Doctors often prescribe weight loss medication for sufferers of obesity because it is necessary. However, there's a lot of fear out there as to what the diet pill might be doing to your body. Is it safe? Will it hurt your organs? Given the side effects, is it really worth it?

Nobody, even your doctor, can really make a decision for you. What you can do, however, is give yourself all the information you need to make a decision.

Safety

If your diet pill is approved by the FDA, chances are it is safe to use as directed. Drugs that are approved by the FDA and are later found to be dangerous after are all over the news, but less than 1% of prescription medications approved by the FDA have ever been found to be dangerous and pulled from the market.

The FDA has found that using two or more diet drugs together can be very dangerous. In particular, there is a risk of lung or heart disease. However, use only the medicine that your doctor has prescribed and you won't have to worry about medicinal interactions.

Another important thing to remember to ensure your safety is not to drink alcohol while the medication is in your bloodstream. Oh sure, one drink likely won't cause a problem—you can still have the wine at church—but don't become drunk or anywhere close to it. You might have an adverse reaction to the drug if you choose to ignore this advice.

Side Effects

Many people only experience one or even none of these side effects, but it is something to consider. Keep in mind, however, that your doctor wouldn't recommend using a weight loss pill if he or she didn't think it best for you.

Common Side Effects

• Bad taste in mouth

• Constipation

• Diarrhea

• Sleep trouble

• Vertigo

• Dry Mouth

• Changes in libido

• Headache

• Impotence

• Anxiety

• Restlessness

• Stomach ache

These are all side effects that you can treat with diet, patience, or other medications if you talk to your doctor about it first.

Rare Side Effects

• Rash, hives

• Trouble breathing

• Tightness of chest

• Swelling in the face

• Mania

• Fainting

• Irregular heartbeat

• Muscle tremors

• Swelling of the extremities (arms, legs, feet, hands, etc)

If you experience any of these side effects, contact a medical professional right away. You may be allergic or have to discontinue use of Phentermine.

General Precautions:

-Ask your doctor about hypertension and your diet medication. He or she may choose to exercise caution if you suffer from high blood pressure, but you won't necessarily be unable to use prescription aids.

-If you're diabetic, you may have to alter your insulin regimen.

-Some studies have suggested that prolonged use could increase your risk of developing cancer.

-It is unknown whether Phentermine is safe for women or fetuses during pregnancy.

• It is advisable to avoid taking your medication while nursing, or explore an alternative to nursing.

-Children should not use Phentermine.