Phentermine Prescription only

Unlike over-the-counter diet products, the prescription appetite suppressant phentermine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for short-term use in obese people. And because it's been on the market for half a century, physicians are familiar with it and are unlikely to prescribe it for patients who shouldn't be taking this stimulant. However, experts at The Obesity Society say that this prescription medication is no longer prescribed as often because two newer drugs -- orlistat (Xenical) and sibutramine (Meridia) -- can safely be used for longer periods of time. Long-term use of phentermine, which is a relative of amphetamines, could result in addiction. As with any diet product, phentermine use needs to be accompanied by fewer calories and more exercise, experts say.

Mainstream sources like ConsumerReports.org report on diet products but don't rank prescription diet pills like phentermine any more than they'd rate antibiotics. Physicians, not magazines, determine whether a prescription drug is appropriate for you. We found interesting summaries of reports involving phentermine and successful weight loss in lengthy articles on the websites of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The Obesity Society also has an interesting comparison between the three major prescription diet drugs, including orlistat, sibutramine and phentermine.