OK. You’ve talked with your doctor over the different kinds of prescription weight loss drugs and how they work. You’ve also considered the cost and life changes that you will have to sacrifice if you choose to take these drugs. Now you plan to research and talk with your doctor about the safety of these drugs. There are two main concerns when considering the safety of a drug: side effects and drug interactions.

Side Effects

It is important to remember that side effects come with a variety of prescription drugs, from anti-depressants to decongestants. It is also important to remember that the side effects will differ depending on the type of drug you are taking. Consult a doctor immediately should you suffer from side effects listed.

Appetite Suppressant Side Effects

There are two kinds of Appetite Suppressants -- the kind that increase blood pressure and heart rate, and the kind that affect the chemicals in your brain to decrease appetite.

The systemic appetite suppressants -- the blood pressure and heart rate increasers -- have a different set of side effects than the brain chemical affecting ones. Any of the side effects are reason to consult your doctor. Some of the more rare side effects include chest pain, fainting, or trouble breathing. One side effect is an increase in blood pressure, but remember that is part of how the drug works. The less common side effects include painful urination, hallucinations, and numbness.

Appetite suppressants such as Meridia have a separate list of potential side effects. Medline Plus offers achiness, chills and swelling as less common side effects of this medication. Rarely, patients suffer from convulsions, headaches, and excessive bleeding following injury. Patients may also have anxiety and diarrhea, among several less severe side effects.

Side Effects of the Lipase Inhibitors

Medline Plus cites a few side effects that you need to consult a doctor immediately should you have them: itching, swelling, fever, or redness of skin. You may be experiencing an allergic reaction. But the more interesting ones are the changes that you might see in your BM (bowel movement). Be prepared for oily discharge, orange stool, gas with discharge, and/or the urgent need to have a BM.

Drug Interactions

It would be impossible to list in this article all of the possible drug interactions that may occur between these types of weight loss drug and others. Please consult your doctor or pharmacist for information on potential drug interactions. Understand that not all drug interactions occur between prescription drugs. You need to know possible drug interactions that could happen between your prescription weight loss drugs and over the counter drugs, such as Advil or Tylenol. Also, investigate the use of alcohol while using these drugs. Do your best to make your weight loss project as safe as possible.