Brenda Khan
Diet pills have been around for well over a century, with the first pills becoming available during the patent medicine era of the late 1800s. Known as fat reducers, these pills were based on thyroid extract, which can increase the metabolic rate. While these pills were thought to aid weight reduction, they also had unexpected and dangerous side effects, including abnormal heartbeats, increased heart rate, weakness, chest pains, high blood pressure, and even death. Despite the risks, this form of weight control remained available until the 1960s. Since then, the market for diet pills has continued to evolve, with new medications being developed and old ones being banned or withdrawn due to adverse effects.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First diet pills | Late 1800s |
| First diet pill ingredients | Thyroid extract |
| Side effects of first diet pills | Abnormal heartbeats, increased heart rate, weakness, chest pains, high blood pressure, death |
| Diet pills in the 1950s | Obetrol |
| Diet pills in the 1960s | Thyroid hormone, diuretics, laxatives, amphetamines, "rainbow diet pills" |
| Diet pills in the 1970s | Ephedrine with caffeine |
| Diet pills in the 1980s | Fen-phen, over-the-counter appetite suppressants containing phenylpropanolamine (PPA) |
| Diet pills in the 1990s | Fen-phen, orlistat |
| Diet pills in the 2000s | Lorcaserin (Belviq), Ozempic |
| Diet pills in the 2010s | Orlistat |
| Diet pills in the 2020s | Next-generation GLP-1s, liraglutide, naltrexone/bupropion, semaglutide, tirzepatide |
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What You'll Learn
Diet pills have been around for over a century
Diet pills have been around for well over a century, with the first pills becoming available in the late 1800s. Known as fat reducers, these pills were based on thyroid extract, which can increase the metabolic rate. They were thought to be an effective form of weight reduction. However, they also had unexpected and dangerous side effects, including abnormal heartbeats, increased heart rate, weakness, chest pains, high blood pressure, and even death. Despite the risks, this form of weight control continued to be available until the 1960s.
In the 20th century, the use of thyroid hormones to treat obesity became a common theme in drug treatment. Originally intended for people with underactive thyroids, doctors believed these drugs could support weight loss. However, many medical professionals voiced opposition when it became clear that these treatments led to overactive thyroids.
During the 1950s and 1960s, Obetrol, a formulation of amphetamine mixed salts, including methamphetamine, became a popular diet pill in America. Approved by the FDA in 1960, it was marketed for the treatment of exogenous obesity. By 1970, approximately 5% of Americans were using some form of prescription amphetamine, known as "
In the 1980s, over-the-counter appetite suppressants containing phenylpropanolamine (PPA) became popular. In the same decade, fen-phen, a combination of fenfluramine and phentermine, emerged as a short-lived weight loss medication. It was quickly withdrawn from the market due to its association with valvular heart disease.
In the 21st century, diet pills based on herbal formulations proliferated, with Orlistat (Xenical) and Alli becoming popular options. While these pills are effective in reducing weight by inhibiting fat absorption, they also have embarrassing and unpleasant side effects, including anal leakage and urgent bowel movements.
The history of diet pills is long and complex, reflecting societal pressures to conform to certain beauty ideals and the ongoing search for effective weight loss solutions. Despite the risks associated with many of these pills, their allure has persisted, and they continue to evolve and be prescribed today.
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The first diet pills were based on thyroid extract
Diet pills have been around since the late 1800s. During this time, societal attitudes towards women's weight and body image began to shift towards a preference for slimmer figures, prompting a search for solutions to make weight loss easier. The first diet pills, referred to as "fat reducers", were based on thyroid extract, which can increase the metabolic rate. These pills were thought to be an effective form of weight reduction.
Thyroid hormones were originally intended for people with underactive thyroids, but doctors believed they could also support weight loss. However, many medical professionals opposed this off-label use when it became clear that these treatments could lead to overactive thyroid and other adverse effects. The pills were available until the 1960s, despite causing side effects such as abnormal heartbeats, increased heart rate, weakness, chest pains, high blood pressure, and even death.
The 1960s saw a resurgence in the use of thyroid hormones for weight loss, often in combination with diuretics, laxatives, and amphetamines. However, this approach eventually fell out of favour due to the risks of toxicity. Over the years, various other weight loss drugs have been developed and withdrawn due to adverse effects, including deaths. For example, aminorex fumarate, developed in 1965, was withdrawn from the market in 1968 due to its link to pulmonary hypertension.
Today, there are various prescription and over-the-counter diet pills available, such as Orlistat (Xenical and Alli), Phentermine, and Fen-Phen. However, as of 2022, no medication has been found to be as effective for long-term weight reduction as bariatric surgery. Diet pills continue to be a popular option for those seeking to lose weight, but it is important to prioritize health and safety when considering their use.
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Obetrol was a popular diet pill in the 1950s and 1960s
Diet pills have been around in some form since the late 19th century. Initially referred to as "fat reducers", these pills were based on thyroid extract, which can increase the metabolic rate. Despite causing side effects like abnormal heartbeats, high blood pressure, and even death, they continued to be available until the 1960s.
Obetrol was a popular diet pill in America in the 1950s and 1960s. It was a brand name for a drug combining several amphetamine salts indicated for the treatment of exogenous obesity. Obetrol was originally manufactured by Obetrol Pharmaceuticals in Brooklyn, New York. The company later became a division of Rexar Pharmacal Corporation, which was also headquartered in Brooklyn.
The original formulation of Obetrol, which included methamphetamine, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on January 19, 1960. Between 1965 and 1973, Obetrol was marketed in 10 mg and 20 mg strengths through the Obetrol Pharmaceuticals division of Rexar. During this time, Obetrol was also sold directly to physicians under the brand name Oby-Rex.
The availability of methamphetamine-based medications in the 1960s led to their abuse as recreational drugs. Obetrol was the recreational drug of choice for artist Andy Warhol. In 1970, the FDA issued an order requiring new drug applications for previously approved amphetamine products. In September 1973, the FDA withdrew approval for Obetrol, citing vague and incomplete research. Despite this, Rexar reformulated Obetrol to exclude methamphetamine salts and continued to sell it under the same brand name.
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Fen-phen was a miracle drug in the 1980s
Diet pills have been around since the late 19th century. Initially referred to as "fat reducers", these pills were based on thyroid extract, which increases the metabolic rate. While these pills were thought to aid weight reduction, they also had unexpected and dangerous side effects, including abnormal heartbeats, increased heart rate, weakness, chest pains, high blood pressure, and even death. Despite the risks, this form of weight control was available until the 1960s.
In the 1980s, fen-phen was introduced as a weight-loss medication. Fen-phen was a combination of fenfluramine and phentermine. Fenfluramine is an appetite suppressant, while phentermine is a type of amphetamine. The combination of these two drugs was found to be highly effective for weight loss. Many people who used fen-phen reported that it took away their constant thoughts of food and helped them easily control their eating. As a result, fen-phen was considered a miracle drug in the 1980s.
The popularity of fen-phen soared based on a single study involving just 121 patients. During the study, patients who took fen-phen experienced reduced hunger and weight loss, while those who took dummy pills gained weight. However, subsequent studies revealed that fen-phen was associated with an increased risk of valve disease. It was estimated that out of 10,000 people, 7 who took fenfluramine or fen-phen for less than four months developed valve disease, while 35 who took these drugs for more than four months were affected.
Due to the serious side effects, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requested that the manufacturers remove fen-phen from the market. The rise and fall of fen-phen highlighted the limitations of drug safety evaluation methods at the time and raised questions about the approval and monitoring processes for diet drugs. Despite its short-lived success, fen-phen's effectiveness and popularity in the 1980s left a lasting impact on the weight-loss medication landscape.
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Today, there are weight loss jabs and prescription medications
The first diet pills, referred to as fat reducers, came about during the patent medicine era of the late 1800s. These pills were based on thyroid extract, which can increase the metabolic rate. Despite causing side effects like abnormal heartbeats, high blood pressure, and even death, this form of weight control continued until the 1960s.
Today, there are a variety of weight loss jabs and prescription medications available. Weight loss jabs, such as Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus, are injectable medications that have gained popularity in recent years. Physicians may prescribe Ozempic and Rybelsus off-label for weight loss, despite them not being approved for weight management.
Prescription medications for weight loss are typically considered when lifestyle and behaviour changes, such as healthy eating and increased physical activity, have not been sufficient for an individual to lose weight or maintain weight loss. These medications work in different ways, such as by reducing hunger or inhibiting the absorption of fat in the body. Phentermine, for example, is a widely used weight loss medication that can help patients lose about 5% of their body weight. Orlistat, sold as Xenical and Alli, is another prescription medication that inhibits the absorption of dietary fat.
It is important to note that the decision to prescribe weight loss medications is based on various factors, including an individual's BMI, current health issues, other medications, and family medical history, and the medication's cost and side effects. Weight loss medications can have mild to serious side effects, and long-term therapy is often recommended to prevent weight regain.
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Frequently asked questions
Diet pills have been around for over a century. The first diet pills became available in the patent medicine era of the late 1800s.
The first diet pills were referred to as "fat reducers" and were based on thyroid extract, which can increase the metabolic rate.
Yes, diet pills continued to evolve in the 20th century. Obetrol, a formulation of amphetamine mixed salts, was approved by the FDA to treat obesity in 1960.
Next-generation GLP-1s entered the market in the 2020s. Some examples of modern-day diet pills include Ozempic, Wegovy, and Orlistat.
