University Wire (Kansas State Collegian), "Ingredients in Weight-Loss Pills Have Dangerous Effects"

          With spring break approaching, many college students are scrambling to shed those holiday pounds. Some make a mad dash to the gym, while others might choose to lose weight in a more passive way: diet pills. The use of products such as Dexatrim and Metabolife is tempting. Just pop a pill and watch the pounds melt away, right? Remember Fen-Phen? About six years ago, it was the latest miracle pill concerning weight loss. Its use led to fatal heart valve damage in many cases.
          Why should we assume over-the-counter diet pills are any safer? An educated consumer shouldn't. Most diet pills on the market can cause various side effects and possibly death. Popular diet pills like Dexatrim and Acutrim contain phenylpropanolamine (PPA) and caffeine. PPA is a stimulant and can severely effect the central nervous system. Ephedrine, another ingredient found in many common diet pills, might be the most dangerous. It is linked to deaths caused by heart attacks, seizures and strokes.