FDA Approved Diet Pills

Regulations for FDA-Approved Diet Pills

Maybe you are one of those individuals that are using diet pills for your weight losing routine. You are satisfied of the result, which is why you are continuing its usage. But have you checked if those diet pills that you are using are duly approved by the federal authorities?

Currently, there are two general classifications of diet pills. The first is the over-the-counter (OTC) pills, which can be purchased without the necessary prescription from a duly-licensed physician. The production of these pills are said to be deregulated. That is the reason why there are many OTC pills that can be found in different outlets.

The second classification is the prescribed diet pills. Also known to be FDA-approved diet pills, it needs the proper prescription of a licensed physician. Its production is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the federal agency tasked to implement regulations on processed foods and pharmaceutical products (including diet pills) to ensure the safety of its user in United States.

You will wonder why OTC diet pills are not under FDA’s jurisdiction. As mentioned earlier, production of such pills is deregulated. The charter of FDA does not include authority over deregulated products. However, because most of these pills have herbal extracts, it is still widely-accepted by the public.

Diet Pills-A Dietary Supplement

It is considered to be one of the dietary supplements as defined in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994. The ingredients in these products may include herbal extracts, vitamins, and substances such as enzymes and metabolites. It can be also extracts or concentrates and can be found in many forms like tablets, capsules, softgels, and others.
 
After DSHEA were turned into a law in October 1994 by then US President Bill Clinton, it amended the Federal, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. It created a new regulatory structure for the safety and labeling of these dietary supplements.

This new law required all manufacturers and distributors to inform FDA their intentions of marketing dietary supplements such as diet pills that contains new ingredient. They must show to FDA why they have included this certain ingredient in their products. Aside from it, they must prove that it is reasonably safe for use.

Labeling

One of the important FDA regulations that are followed by the manufacturers is the labeling of the product. Information about it must all be included in the label. It comprises the following:

• The descriptive name of the product
• The name and business address of the manufacturer
• The complete list of the ingredients (both active or supplementary ingredients)
• The net contents of the product, and
• The nutritional contents of the product in the form of a “Supplement Facts” panel

Supervision of Diet Pills

The FDA, through its Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) are tasked for the federal agency’s oversight function of these products. Included in their duties and responsibilities are monitoring the market for potential illegal manufacturers or distributors together with their products and reporting to the FDA events such as consumer and trade complaints in relation to the marketing and usage of such products.

Prescribed Diet Pills Approved by FDA

What pills are duly approved by this federal agency? You can check the preceding sections to have an idea.

Phentermine

It has received its FDA approval in 1959 as a prescription appetite suppressant. Also known as Phentermine Hydrochloride, it decreases appetite. It is done by increasing the production of serotonin or catecholamine which is responsible for our mood and appetite. It is the most popular prescribed appetite suppressant on the market.

Xenical

It received FDA approval in 1999. It acts in gastrointestinal tract by restraining the action of the enzyme known as lipase. It breaks down the dietary fat so that the body can easily absorb it.
 
It is also safe and proven to be effective especially when incorporated with diet and exercise. FDA advices for Xenical suggest that only those people with a body mass index (BMI) of not less than 30 should use this diet pill.

Sympathomimetic Appetite Suppressants

It is usually used in short-term medication of obesity. It generally works by stimulating your hypothalamus glands and influencing your neurotransmitters in the central nervous system to increase the feeling of being full.

It is important that you know what are the diet pills with FDA approval. Protect your health against illegal diet pills.