For instance, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned ephedra but it can be purchased online.

The report says that pills containing ephedra are touted to decrease appetite but they can cause dangerous side effects, including heart attacks, seizures, strokes and sudden death. Similarly, herbal supplements that contain the plant-derived chemical ephedrine also are available online and can cause similar health problems. Say No to Over the Counter Weight Loss Pills Before you shop for the overly advertised over-the-counter weight loss pill in an effort to meet your weight loss goal, please think twice. The health warning was published in the November issue of Clinic Women's HealthSource wherein a special report discusses the popular weight-loss diets, eating plans and strategies, including diet pills.

The report expressed concern that with obesity of the rise many local drugstores sell diet pills and even more choices are available on the internet. A lot many people are tempted to buy these drugs but they don't even know that the safety and effectiveness of these drugs have not been proved. Your diet pill may be unsafe, ineffective or downright dangerous.

The report cautions about several other weight-loss pills which contain a cocktail of ingredients, including herbs, botanicals, vitamins, minerals, caffeine or laxatives.