Diet Pill News - Whats Inside Your Diet Pills?

America has become a nation of pill-popping junkies. We take calcium to prevent osteoporosis, fish oil to stave off heart disease and statins to lower cholesterol, so why not take a few tablets to prevent obesity, right?While diet drugs are not the ideal way to approach weight loss, they are appropriate under certain conditions, claims Tara Gidus, M.S., R.D., spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. With at least one diet pill prescription being considered for over-the-counter use, it's important to remember that healthy lifestyle changes are important, too.

Here's your go-to-guide for the top five diet drugs on the market:Acomplia

How It Works: Currently under review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Acomplia turns off certain pleasure sensors in the brain, reducing your urge to overeat.The Caveats: "Acomplia shows some promise for weight loss, but more studies need to be done," says Gidus. And be aware that the drug may cause side effects ranging from dizziness to diarrhea.

Meridia

How It Works: One of only two prescription medications approved by the FDA for long-term weight loss, Meridia suppresses appetite by altering feel-good brain chemicals including serotonin and norepinephrine.The Caveats: Meridia can cause blood pressure to spike, so if you have hypertension or are at high risk for heart disease, steer clear.

Xenical

How It Works: Unlike most other diet medications, Xenical works in the gut, inhibiting the absorption of fat. In fact, the drug blocks 30 percent of the fat and calories that a person takes in. (Xenical is the second FDA-approved diet drug.) The Caveats: "It's expensive, it's not covered by many insurance plans and it can cause embarrassing side effects like gas and diarrhea," says Gidus. And, if you’re on a very low fat diet, the drug may prevent the absorption of important fat-soluble vitamins A, D and E.

Zantrex-3

How It Works: With metabolism-boosting ingredients like caffeine, guarana, green tea leaf, yerba mate and ginseng, Zantrex-3's claim to fame is that it's ephedra-free.The Caveats: Zantrex-3 may cause rapid heart rate, jitters and serious insomnia. What's more, Zantrex-3 does not have scientific backing and according to Gidus, claims about melting fat and cellulite are completely unfounded.

Hoodia

How It Works: After frequent appearances on 'Desperate Housewives,' interest in Hoodia has skyrocketed. The substance originates from a cactus-like plant in South Africa and Namibia and has been long praised for its ability to help tribes make long treks through the desert with little food.The Caveats: There are no peer-reviewed human studies on the supplement, so side effects and long-term effects are unknown," says Gidus. "It sounds too good to be true" -- and it probably is.

-- Amy Paturel, M.S., M.P.H.Want more diet news? Sign up for alerts on the latest diet trends.More to Explore-- Choose a Diet: Get expert ratings for 36 popular plans.-- Focus on Fitness: Subscribe for free bimonthly tips by e-mail.