Patients should consult their physicians before taking any additional prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, nutritional supplements or herbal medications. When taking diet pills, patients should not take other types of diet pills or weight-loss supplements unless approved by their physician.

Of particular concern to individuals taking diet pills are:

• Stimulants. These include caffeine, amphetamines, cocaine and a number of prescription and over-the-counter diet pills. Medications that treat attention-deficit disorder are also stimulants. Caffeine, in particular, may interfere with glucose control and may make the side effects of some diet medications worse, especially in patients with diabetes.
  
  
• Antidepressants. Antidepressants may be prescribed to treat depression or painful conditions including peripheral neuropathy. High blood pressure and an irregular heartbeat may result from the use of antidepressants and diet pills.
  
  
• Thyroid medications. Drugs such as thyroid hormone may interact with diet pills. In addition, some over-the-counter substances marketed as diet pills have been found to contain dangerous levels of thyroid hormones.
  
  
• Bronchodilators. These medications are prescribed in the treatment of asthma and other respiratory disorders.
  
  
• Certain medications used during surgery, emergency medical treatments or dental procedures. Patients are encouraged to inform healthcare professionals if they are taking diet pills.
  
  
• Over-the-counter medications to treat colds, hay fever, allergies, sinus problems and other minor health conditions.