The skinny on diet drugs: there are several prescription diet pills on the market, but how well do they actually work?

There is no doubt that obesity is an epidemic in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two-thirds of Americans are overweight, with one-third classified as obese.

The health risks associated with obesity are numerous, yet we continue to embrace a lifestyle of oversized portions. Then, when the weight soars to dangerous levels, everyone wants a quick fix to help shed the pounds and regain a healthy lifestyle.

"There is no magic pill," says Dr. Gregg Faiman, an endocrinologist with University Hospitals. "It's simply watching what you eat and exercising."

Yet pharmaceutical companies and independent peddlers of herbal remedies constantly bombard us with promises of easy weight loss. The truth is that none of the FDA-approved drugs show significant results, and they may even pose serious health risks. And, many herbal remedies on the market can be even more dangerous.

"There are really only two FDA-approved drugs for weight loss and neither are very effective," says Dr. Philip Schauer, director of the Cleveland Clinic Bariatric and Metabolic Institute. "Most studies show that one to two years after starting the drugs, the average weight loss is 10 to 12 pounds."

The two drugs--Meridia and Xenical--work in different ways. Meridia works with chemicals in the brain to decrease appetite. Side effects can include irritability and insomnia, as well as more serious health risks.

"It can raise blood pressure. It can raise heart rate," says Faiman. "And it's expensive and not usually covered by insurance."