Diet pills come and diet pills go, but still the fat clings to the collective hips and bellies of 167 million of us in the United States.

Two pharmaceutical companies are hoping that two new drugs under review by the Food and Drug Administration might do what dozens before have tried but failed to do - expunge us of some of our fat, without killing us in the process. Dozens of drugs over the years have held great promise but few have had lasting results.

"The whole history of weight-loss drugs has been very disappointing," said Morgan Downey, executive director of the American Obesity Association. "It will be interesting to see what happens with these."

One drug, rimonabant, was approved in Europe in June. It is available in the United Kingdom, being marketed as Acomplia . It would be available by prescription only.

The second weight-loss drug before the FDA is for over-the-counter usage. It, too, works differently than appetite suppressants, but not the way that rimonabant does.

Alli (pronounced AL-lie) blocks the body's absorption of fat. It is a lower-dose version of the prescription drug Xenical, or orlistat, as it is known generically, which has been on the market since 1999.

Some things to know about diet drugs

Acomplia Rimonabant Blocks brain receptors

Has shown in clinical trials to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels; manufacturer says it can significantly reduce abdominal obesity, a marker for heart disease; prescription would be required; FDA has not approved drug

Alli Orlistat Blocks absorption of fat

Has been on market for prescription use for almost a decade; to be used in concert with exercise and dietary changes; if approved, no prescription would be required for Alli; can cause cramping, diarrhea, flatulence, intestinal discomfort and leakage of oily stool. FDA approval of prescription version, Xenical , granted in 1999.

Sibutramine Meridia

Increases levels of certain brain chemicals that may suppress appetite

Should not be used by people with history of heart disease, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, congestive heart failure. May cause headache, dry mouth, constipation and insomnia. Approved by the FDA in 1997.

Bontril Phendi-metrazine tartrate

Appetite suppressant

Should not be used long-term; not advised for people with heart disease; approved in 1982.

Desoxyn Methamphe-tamine

Appetite suppressant

For short-term use only; not advised for people with heart disease or with a history of drug dependency; approved in 1959.

Lonamin and Adipex-P Phentermine

Appetite suppressant

Was the "phen" in "fen/phen," which was pulled from the market in 1997 because the "fen" ingredient, fenfluramine, was linked to the development of valvular heart disease and primary pulmonary hypertension. Short-term usage only. Approved in 1959.

Source: http://www.azcentral.com/heal...;