I wish I had a nickel for every weight loss aid and pill on the market. You and I could some retire. Many of these have been associated with grave medical risks, including heart attack, heart abnormalities, tachycardia, stroke, seizures and death. That's pretty scary! Most diet pills are appetite suppressants of one sympathetic or another, generally stimulants with effects similar to those of amphetamine. They're okayed for treatment of obesity, where it's considered that the health risks associated with obesity outweigh the risks of the medication. But is you have less than 30 pounds to lose, the risks are far little cut-and-dried. Over the counter medications and their risks are not as well-documented as the effects of prescription diet pills. Herbal preparation effects are certified even less, especially those whose makers don't officially make weight loss claims.