Dante Carrillo
Diet pills, also known as appetite suppressants, are medications that can help people feel less hungry or full sooner, aiding in weight loss. They work by stimulating nerve endings in the stomach wall, mimicking the signals that are naturally sent to the brain when the stomach is stretched, prompting one to feel full. While there are prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) diet pills available, it is important to consult a healthcare professional before use, as they may interact with medications or cause health problems. Additionally, combining diet pills with a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise is recommended for optimal results.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How do diet pills make you feel full? | Diet pills can work in different ways to make you feel full. Some pills expand in the stomach after digestion, while others stimulate nerve endings in the stomach wall, mimicking the effect of a full stomach. |
| Types of diet pills | There are prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) appetite suppressants. Prescription appetite suppressants can be for short-term or long-term use. Examples of prescription pills include Liraglutide (Saxenda), Semaglutide (Wegovy), Naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave), and Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia). Over-the-counter supplements for weight loss are not FDA-approved and may not be safe. |
| Effectiveness | Diet pills may help with weight loss, especially when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise. However, the effectiveness of diet pills varies, and they may not work for everyone. |
| Side effects and risks | Side effects of diet pills can vary and may include mild and temporary issues or more severe reactions. It is important to consult a healthcare professional before taking any weight loss medication to understand the potential risks and side effects. |
| Lifestyle changes | Diet pills should not be the only approach to weight loss. Addressing the root causes of weight gain, such as behavioral and lifestyle factors, is crucial for long-term success. |
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What You'll Learn
Appetite suppressants
There are prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) appetite suppressants. Prescription appetite suppressants can be for long-term or short-term use. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the following prescription appetite suppressants for long-term use: Liraglutide (Saxenda®), Semaglutide (Wegovy®), Naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave®), and Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia®). Short-term appetite suppressants, such as Benzphetamine (Didrex®, Regimex®), Diethylpropion (Tenuate®, Tenuate Dospan®), Phendimetrazine (Prelu-2®), and Phentermine (Dipex-P®, Atti-Plex P®, Pro-Fast®), are controlled substances with addiction potential and can be dangerous if misused.
The Plenity pill is another weight management medication that works by expanding in the stomach after digestion, making a person feel full and encouraging them to eat less. Experts emphasize that it should be combined with lifestyle factors such as exercise and a healthy diet.
A vibrating diet pill is currently being researched as a potential weight loss therapy. The pill vibrates in the stomach, stimulating nerve endings that send messages to the brain, creating a sense of fullness. While the data is convincing, questions remain about the practicality of this approach, such as the size of the capsules and the unknown sensations it may cause.
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Pills that expand in the stomach
Diet pills that expand in the stomach are designed to help people lose weight and keep it off. These pills are typically made from dietary fibre and swell in the stomach to increase feelings of fullness and reduce hunger. One such pill, Plenity, is made from a hydrogel matrix composed of cellulose (a type of fibre) and citric acid. After ingestion, the pill absorbs water and expands to occupy about a quarter of the stomach's volume. This expansion triggers stretch receptors in the stomach wall, signalling to the brain that the stomach is full. As a result, people eat less without feeling deprived.
Plenity was initially cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States in 2019 and has been well-tolerated in trials. It is considered a medical device rather than a drug because it is not absorbed into the body and passes through the gastrointestinal tract intact. This classification also means it does not require extensive clinical trials like pharmaceutical drugs. However, experts caution that these pills should be used alongside a healthy diet and exercise regimen for effective weight management.
Another example of a pill that expands in the stomach is Appesat, which is made from seaweed harvested from the French Atlantic coast. Like Plenity, Appesat expands in the stomach to trigger stretch receptors and increase feelings of fullness. It is not absorbed into the bloodstream and is excreted from the body a few hours after ingestion.
Diet pills that expand in the stomach offer a non-invasive approach to weight loss and can be a helpful tool for people struggling to lose weight through diet and exercise alone. However, it is important to note that these pills are not a magic bullet, and individual results may vary. Additionally, some people may experience side effects such as increased bowel movements and dehydration, especially with frequent use.
Prescription appetite suppressants are another type of weight-loss medication that can help lessen appetite or make people feel full faster. These include both short-term and long-term options, with some being classified as controlled substances due to their potential for addiction. It is always important to consult with a healthcare provider before taking any weight-loss medication to ensure safe and effective use.
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Vibrating diet pills
The pill's vibration activates the same receptors that detect when the stomach lining is distended after a big meal, passing signals to the brain that it is full. These stretch receptors in the stomach indicate that the stomach is 'full' of food. The vibrations activate these receptors, simulating the presence of food. This results in signals being sent to the hypothalamus in the brain via the vagus nerve, increasing levels of various hormones that give rise to a feeling of fullness and decreasing those that result in feelings of hunger. The capsule is swallowed about 20 minutes before a meal.
The vibrating diet pill was developed by researchers at MIT, led by biomedical engineer Shriya Srinivasan and Massachusetts Institute of Technology gastroenterologist and biomedical engineer Giovanni Traverso. The pill has only been tested on animals so far, and researchers are yet to study its effects on humans. The researchers want to study the pill in dogs, whose stomachs are more similar to those of humans. If funding is secured, human trials could begin in 2 to 3 years.
The vibrating diet pill offers a minimally invasive, cost-effective way to treat obesity. It is a credible and ingenious approach, according to neurobiologist Guillaume de Lartigue of the Monell Chemical Senses Center. However, some experts question whether the pill can be turned into a practical weight-loss therapy. The size of the capsules is also a significant obstacle, as patients would likely have to swallow two each day.
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Injected medications
Injectable medications for weight loss, such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Saxenda, Mounjaro, and Zepbound, are often prescribed in conjunction with diet and exercise. These medications are injected into the stomach, thigh, or upper arm areas. They act similarly to the GLP-1 hormone, which controls food intake and appetite by slowing digestion, thereby reducing food intake and promoting weight loss.
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, is a well-known injectable medication that was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2021. It is the first drug since Saxenda (in 2014) to be approved for chronic weight management in obese or overweight individuals. Semaglutide injections help control diabetes and weight loss by slowing stomach emptying, decreasing appetite, and causing weight loss. Doctors usually start patients on a low dose of semaglutide and gradually increase it over time.
Another injectable medication for weight loss is Saxenda (liraglutide), a prescription medicine for obese or overweight adults with weight-related medical issues. It is also approved for use in children aged 12-17 years with a body weight above 132 pounds (60 kg) and obesity. Saxenda should be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. It is important to note that Saxenda may cause serious side effects, such as inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) and an increased risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) has also been studied for its potential in weight loss. It works by relaxing the stomach wall muscles, which helps keep food in the stomach longer, slowing digestion, and increasing feelings of fullness. However, it requires sedation and repeated treatments, and research on its effectiveness has yielded mixed results.
Tirzepatide, injected once a week, is another medication that can slow digestion and make individuals feel fuller for longer. It is important to note that these injectable medications should be prescribed and monitored by a healthcare professional, and they may have side effects or interact with other medications or supplements.
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Over-the-counter (OTC) diet pills
One example of an OTC diet pill is Alli (orlistat), which has been proven to aid in weight loss when combined with a healthy diet and active lifestyle. Alli works by blocking the absorption of fat in the body, preventing the absorption of around 25% of the fat consumed in meals. It is important to note that orlistat may cause side effects such as oily discharge, increased defecation, and fecal incontinence.
Another OTC option is Mysimba, a weight loss tablet that helps control food intake by reducing cravings and increasing feelings of fullness. The dosage of Mysimba starts low and gradually increases, allowing the body to adjust. While it typically takes a few weeks to reach its full effect, some individuals may experience results within 1 to 2 days.
It is worth noting that while OTC diet pills can be a tool for weight management, they should not be relied upon solely. Experts emphasize the importance of combining these pills with lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and regular physical activity, to achieve meaningful and sustained weight loss. Additionally, it is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional before starting any weight loss program or medication to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Some other popular OTC appetite suppressants include Garcinia Cambogia, which is derived from the Garcinia gummi-gutta fruit and may reduce appetite by increasing serotonin levels. Saffron extract is another option that may increase feelings of fullness by boosting mood. Glucomannan, a type of soluble fiber, can also promote feelings of fullness by absorbing water and slowing digestion. While these supplements have shown some promise in reducing appetite and promoting weight loss, larger and longer-term studies are needed to confirm their effectiveness.
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Frequently asked questions
Diet pills can make you feel full by expanding in the stomach after digestion, stimulating nerve endings in the stomach wall, or slowing down how quickly food moves from your stomach to your intestines.
Yes, prescription appetite suppressants can help with weight loss by lessening your appetite or making you feel full faster. Prescription medications to treat overweight and obesity work in different ways. Some may help you feel less hungry or full sooner, while others may make it harder for your body to absorb fat from food.
Yes, it is important to note that diet pills may have side effects and risks. For example, some pills may interfere with oral birth control or increase the risk of uncontrolled bleeding if taken with blood thinners. Additionally, some diet pills are only approved for short-term use and may have addiction potential if used outside of their prescribed use. It is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before taking any diet pills.
