When it comes weight loss, the million dollar question has always been, what diet pills really work? No one wants to waste their money, time and hopes on a pill that is ineffective. The good news is some diet pills may really work - to some degree. However, caution should be taken. Always consult with your doctor and make diet and exercise the cornerstone of your weight loss program - not the pills themselves.

The diet pills available today may be safer than diet pills in the past, that doesn't mean they are safe and effective for every individual. Each diet pill is different and each comes with its own set of side effects. You should talk in depth with your physician about any diet pill or supplement you are considering taking. Here is a list of some of the more popular diet pills today and the pertinent information about each.

Meridia (sibutramine)

If you are very overweight or obese and are always hungry, you may want to talk to your doctor about Meridia, a prescription obesity drug that suppresses appetite. It is not known exactly how Meridia works, but it is believed that the loss of appetite that occurs in patients taking the drug is one of the key factors that aid in weight loss.

Meridia works well for some people who seem to never feel "full" after eating. If you have a ravenous appetite and never feel satisfied, Meridia could help you overcome that feeling. This drug is only prescribed to obese and overweight individuals. If you are struggling to lose that last ten pounds, Meridia is not the drug for you since its use is reserved for individuals with more serious weight issues.

Before you start taking Meridia you should know that it can increase your blood pressure and it can also up your risk of having a stroke or heart attack. You should also know that the FDA is closely monitoring Meridia ever since it was banned in Italy for causing adverse reactions in consumers.

Byetta (exenatide) and Glucophage (metformin)

Byetta is used to treat type 2 diabetes. It is an injectable diabetes medicine. Glucophage is also used for people with type 2 diabetes but it is an oral diabetes medicine. Both medications help control blood sugar levels.

Besides type 2 diabetics, people who suffer from hormonal conditions, which are linked to insulin resistance, that need to lose weight may be prescribed Byetta or Glucophage. Only a doctor can make this determination. Since these drugs are classified as diabetic medications, insurance companies will generally cover the cost of these drugs, unlike most other weight loss medications.

Zimulti (rimonabant)

Hailed as one of the most promising diet pills in the weight loss industry, the FDA hasn't approved Zimulti because of increased risk of suicidal thoughts. At the time of this writing, this prescription drug isn't available in the United States. It has been available, however, in the European Union under the name Acomplia.

Alli (orlistat)

Alli is a weight loss supplement available over-the-counter. It is a reduced-strength version of Orlistat, a prescription drug used to treat obesity. It decreases the amount of fat you ingest from being absorbed by the intestines. The undigested fat is excreted from the body in the bowel. By decreasing fat absorption, you decrease the amount of calories you absorb.

There is a drawback to Alli that consumers should know about. If you eat too much fat you may soil or leak on yourself. These kinds of accidents can be embarrassing, so be forewarned. These occurrences can be prevented, however, by limiting the amount of fat you consumer per meal.

Supplements

Don't take any kind of diet supplements until you know what they are, even if they claim to be "natural." Just because they are natural doesn't mean they are good for you. For instance, bitter orange extract is being used as an ephedra replacement in many diet supplements. As you probably know, ephedra was banned because it caused adverse reaction in people, including several strokes and deaths.

Two supplements which do appear to be safe and are rising in popularity are green tree extract and hoodia gordonii. EGCG, an antioxidant that helps boost metabolism, is found in green tea. Hoodia, on the other hand, has been shown to be a potentially effective natural appetite suppressant without any side effects.

What diet pills really work for weight loss? Well, that depends. Some of the pills mentioned here may or may not be suitable for you - and even though they work for one person, they may not do a thing for you. Supplements may be a safer alternative but they come with certain risks as well. That's why it's important to make diet and exercise the main components of your weight loss program. Diet pills and supplements should only be used as a temporary aid and you should always consult with a doctor first before taking them!