Leena Watts
The perception of beauty has changed over time, and with it, the demand for diet pills. Beginning in the late 19th century, attitudes concerning weight, particularly among women, began to shift towards a slimmer, more athletic appearance. This change brought about a search for solutions that would make losing weight easier. Diet pills, which first became available during the patent medicine era of the late 1800s, have continued to evolve through the years. The latest entry into the diet pill market is Orlistat, sold by prescription as Xenical and over-the-counter as Alli.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First diet pills | Became available during the patent medicine era of the late 1800s |
| First diet pills composition | Based on thyroid extract, which can increase the metabolic rate |
| Side effects of first diet pills | Abnormal heartbeats, increased heart rate, weakness, chest pains, high blood pressure and even death |
| Popular diet pills in the 1940s | Rainbow pills |
| Rainbow pills composition | Amphetamines, diuretics, laxatives, and thyroid hormones |
| Rainbow pills side effects | Insomnia, palpitations, anxiety, nausea, stimulant-induced psychosis |
| Popular diet pills in the 1950s and 1960s | Obetrol |
| Obetrol composition | Amphetamine mixed salts and methamphetamine |
| Side effects of Obetrol | Addiction and other severe side effects |
| Popular diet pills in the 1960s | Thyroid hormone |
| Thyroid hormone side effects | Toxicity |
| Popular diet pills in the 1970s | Ephedrine in combination with caffeine |
| Latest diet pills | Orlistat, sold by prescription as Xenical and over-the-counter as Alli |
| Orlistat function | Reduces the amount of dietary fat that is absorbed by the digestive tract |
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What You'll Learn
The first diet pills
The perception of beauty has changed over time. From the late 19th century onwards, societal attitudes concerning weight, particularly among women, shifted towards a preference for a slimmer, more athletic body shape. This change brought about a search for solutions that would make losing weight easier.
In the 20th century, the use of thyroid hormones, dinitrophenol, amphetamines, and rainbow pills were the main themes associated with drug treatments for obesity. Introduced as the Benzedrine inhaler in 1932, amphetamine was soon recognised as a treatment for narcolepsy, postencephaletic Parkinsonism, and certain depressive psychopathic conditions. Several clinical studies in the late 1930s demonstrated its anorectic effect. One of the earliest manufacturers of diet pills combining amphetamine sulfate and thyroid was the Clark & Clark Company of Camden, NJ, established in 1941. Their product, Clarkotabs, was among the first mass-produced rainbow pills.
The rainbow pill period is said to have begun in 1940, with the first of 27 meetings sponsored by Western Research Laboratories introducing weight loss specialists to their rainbow pills. By the 1960s, rainbow pills had caused dozens of deaths, leading to the FDA removing them from the US market. The pills were linked to a range of unpleasant side effects, including pulmonary hypertension, and in some cases, death.
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Amphetamine-based diet pills
The perception of beauty has changed over time. From the late 19th century onwards, attitudes towards weight, particularly among women, shifted towards a preference for a slimmer, more athletic body type. This change in beauty standards sparked a search for solutions that would make weight loss easier, leading to the rise in popularity of diet pills.
The first diet pills, available during the patent medicine era of the late 1800s, were referred to as "fat reducers" and were based on thyroid extract, which can increase the metabolic rate. While these pills were considered effective for weight reduction, they also came with a range of 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.
During the mid-1930s, Benzendrine salts, a form of amphetamine, were introduced in pill form and prescribed for various conditions, including sleep disorders, depression, and weight loss. In 1937, Benzedrine Sulfate, the brand name for amphetamine sulfate, was brought to market to treat narcolepsy and minor depression. During World War II, Benzedrine was supplied by the US military and became popular among pilots and aircrews as a way to overcome fatigue and boost morale.
In 1941, Clark & Clark of Camden, NJ, were among the first manufacturers to combine amphetamine sulfate with other drugs in an attempt to counteract the side effects of amphetamine. These pills, known as "rainbow diet pills," were among the first mass-produced rainbow diet pills and came in multiple colours, creating the illusion of personalised medicine. The colourful pills were a combination of amphetamines, barbiturates, thyroid extract, diuretics, and laxatives.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Obetrol, a popular diet pill in America, combined several amphetamine salts to treat exogenous obesity. The original formulation of amphetamine mixed salts and methamphetamine was approved by the FDA in 1960. However, in 1970, the FDA issued an order requiring new drug applications for previously approved amphetamine products, citing concerns about the combination of amphetamines and non-amphetamines.
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Rainbow diet pills
The perception of beauty has changed over time. Beginning in the late 19th century, attitudes concerning weight, particularly among women, shifted towards a slimmer, more athletic appearance. This change brought about a search for solutions that would make losing weight easier. This led to the invention of diet pills, which first became available during the patent medicine era of the late 1800s. Referred to as fat reducers, they were based on thyroid extract, which can increase the metabolic rate.
The pharmaceutical firms marketing rainbow pills used unconventional promotional techniques to convince thousands of doctors to prescribe them for weight loss. The pills were also marketed directly to patients, who were told that the variety of colours indicated a personalised treatment. However, this rainbow of pills was not necessarily safe. The combination of ingredients in rainbow diet pills led to a range of serious side effects. Amphetamines caused increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, insomnia, and addiction. Barbiturates, used to counteract the stimulant effects of amphetamines, led to drowsiness, confusion, and addiction. The addition of thyroid extract, diuretics, and laxatives caused electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, and gastrointestinal issues.
By the 1960s, rainbow diet pills had caused dozens of deaths, leading to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) removing them from the US market. Despite this, the pills enjoyed widespread popularity in Spain and Brazil in the 1980s and 1990s and have recently made a return to the United States as weight loss dietary supplements. The FDA has issued warnings about the risks of these supplements, which combine potent anorectics with other medications to suppress adverse effects.
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Obetrol
Diet pills first became available during the patent medicine era of the late 1800s. Referred to as "fat reducers", these pills were based on thyroid extract, which can increase the metabolic rate. However, these pills 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.
The availability of methamphetamine-based medications in the 1960s led to their recreational use and abuse. By 1970, 5% of Americans (approximately 9.7 million people) were using some form of prescription amphetamine, including Obetrol. The dangers of amphetamine use, including dependence, elevated blood pressure, and stimulant-induced psychosis, were becoming increasingly known. In 1970, the FDA issued an order requiring new drug applications for previously approved amphetamine products, expressing concern about the combinations of amphetamines with non-amphetamines.
In September 1973, the FDA withdrew approval for Obetrol, citing vague and incomplete research that did not test individual ingredients. Obetrol then underwent reformulations and was eventually rebranded and sold as Adderall, indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) in both children and adults. There is no drug commercially marketed as Obetrol at this time.
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21st-century diet pills
The perception of beauty has changed over time. Beginning in the late 19th century, attitudes concerning weight, particularly among women, started to shift towards a slimmer, more athletic appearance. This change brought about a search for solutions that would make losing weight easier. Diet pills, also known as fat reducers, entered the market during the patent medicine era of the late 1800s. These pills were based on thyroid extract, which can increase the metabolic rate.
The first diet pills 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 remained available until the 1960s. During the 20th century, the use of diet pills to lose weight became common, and this trend continued into the 21st century.
In the 21st century, diet pills, many based on herbal formulations, proliferated on the market. One example is Orlistat, sold by prescription as Xenical and over-the-counter as Alli. Orlistat works by reducing the amount of dietary fat that is absorbed by the digestive tract. While Orlistat and other 21st-century diet pills may be safer than their predecessors, it is important to remember that all medications come with risks and potential side effects. It is always advisable to speak to a healthcare professional before taking any new medication, including diet pills.
In the past, diet pills have had a troubled history, with some tragic consequences. Amphetamines, for example, were a key ingredient in many 20th-century diet pills, and their dangers became increasingly apparent over time. Dependence, elevated blood pressure, and stimulant-induced psychosis were some of the adverse effects of amphetamine use. Obetrol, a popular diet pill in the 1950s and 1960s, combined amphetamine mixed salts with methamphetamine. While Obetrol was approved by the FDA, it was eventually discontinued, and its formula changed to Adderall, which is now used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder.
Another medication, aminorex fumarate, was developed as a treatment for obesity in 1965 but was withdrawn from the market just three years later due to its link to pulmonary hypertension. Even thyroid hormones, which were used to treat obesity as early as the first half of the 20th century, fell into disuse due to the risks of toxicity when combined with diuretics, laxatives, and amphetamines. The use of thyroid hormones to treat obesity is still debated in the 21st century, with some healthcare professionals recommending small doses to increase the metabolic rate under proper medical supervision.
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Frequently asked questions
The first diet pills were introduced during the patent medicine era of the late 1800s and were referred to as fat reducers. They were based on thyroid extract, which can increase the metabolic rate.
The pills were thought to be an effective form of weight reduction, but they had unexpected side effects, including abnormal heartbeats, increased heart rate, weakness, chest pains, high blood pressure, and even death.
Yes, in the 1940s, pharmaceutical firms began aggressively promoting "rainbow pills" to physicians and patients. These pills combined amphetamines, diuretics, laxatives, and thyroid hormones to maximize weight loss.
Yes, the rainbow pills were eventually removed from the US market in the 1960s due to accumulating deaths and injuries linked to their use. However, they later resurfaced in Brazil and Spain in the 1980s and re-entered the US market in the 1990s.
In the 21st century, many diet pills based on herbal formulations have been introduced. One example is Orlistat, sold by prescription as Xenical and over-the-counter as Alli. Orlistat reduces the absorption of dietary fat in the digestive tract.
