Brenda Khan
Diet pills, also known as appetite suppressants, are a type of weight-loss medication. They are designed to affect how your body and brain experience appetite and hunger, making you feel less hungry or full faster after eating less food. Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) diet pills are available, but it is important to consult a healthcare provider before use as they may interact with medications or cause health problems. While they can aid in weight loss, they are most effective when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and regular physical activity. Some common prescription diet pills include Liraglutide (Saxenda), Semaglutide (Wegovy), and Naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave). These medications are typically approved for individuals with obesity, defined by a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types | Appetite suppressants, injectables, pills |
| Administration | Orally, subcutaneous injections |
| Effectiveness | Pills and injections are about equally effective |
| Side Effects | Abnormal sensations, dizziness, altered taste, insomnia, constipation, dry mouth, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, headache, decreased appetite, dyspepsia, fatigue, abdominal pain, increased lipase, renal insufficiency |
| Combination | Diet and exercise |
| Availability | Prescription, over-the-counter (OTC) |
| Usage | Short-term, long-term |
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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), an injectable medication; Semaglutide (Wegovy), also an injectable medication; Naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave), a pill; and Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia), another pill. Other FDA-approved prescription appetite suppressants are for short-term use only, typically up to 12 weeks, including Benzphetamine (Didrex, Regimex), Diethylpropion (Tenuate, Tenuate Dospan), Phendimetrazine (Prelu-2), and Phentermine (Dipex-P, Atti-Plex P, Pro-Fast, and others). These short-term appetite suppressants are controlled substances, which means they have addiction potential and can be dangerous if not used as prescribed.
While certain types of appetite suppressants can only be prescribed by a doctor, many are available over the counter. It is important to note that no over-the-counter appetite-suppressing drugs have been approved by the FDA. Some examples of OTC appetite suppressants include Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid naturally found in foods like dairy and beef; bitter orange supplements, which are believed to increase basal metabolic rate and stimulate fat breakdown; garcinia cambogia pills, which contain hydroxycitric acid (HCA) that may reduce appetite by increasing serotonin levels and reducing carbohydrate metabolism; and glucomannan, a type of soluble fiber derived from the edible roots of the konjac plant.
It is important to consult with a healthcare provider before using any appetite suppressant, as they may interact with medications or cause health problems. Additionally, studies show that appetite suppressants are most beneficial for weight loss when combined with a reduced-calorie eating plan and regular physical activity.
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Prescription vs. over-the-counter
Diet pills, also known as appetite suppressants, are a type of weight-loss medication for people with obesity (a body mass index, or BMI, over 30). They work by blocking or increasing specific hormones, neurotransmitters, and/or peptides to reduce hunger or make you feel full faster. Prescription appetite suppressants are recommended for people with obesity, especially when modified eating plans and increased exercise have not helped with weight loss. They can also be recommended for those with a BMI greater than 27 who have related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.
Prescription appetite suppressants include medications such as liraglutide (Saxenda), semaglutide (Wegovy), naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave), and phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia). These medications are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and have undergone studies to confirm their safety and effectiveness. For example, in initial studies, more than 40% of adults who took Contrave for a year lost at least 5% of their body weight. Prescription appetite suppressants may have side effects, especially short-term prescription appetite suppressants, which can include rapid or irregular heartbeat, mood changes, cognitive changes, nausea, and abdominal pain.
Over-the-counter (OTC) diet pills are also available, but there are fewer regulatory safeguards in place. The only FDA-approved OTC medicine for weight loss is Alli (orlistat). Other OTC products are considered supplements and are not regulated by the FDA, so their safety and effectiveness are not guaranteed. It is important to check with a healthcare provider before using OTC diet pills, as they may interact with medications or cause health problems.
Both prescription and OTC diet pills are most effective when combined with a healthy diet and exercise. A healthcare professional can monitor a patient's progress and adjust dosages or medications as needed when prescribing weight-loss pills. While there are no specific vitamins or supplements considered a "treatment" for obesity, certain ones like calcium and vitamin D may support metabolic health.
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FDA-approved diet pills
Diet pills, also known as appetite suppressants, are a type of weight-loss medication for people with obesity (a body mass index, or BMI, over 30). They affect how your body and brain experience appetite and hunger, making you feel less hungry or full faster after eating less food.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several prescription appetite suppressants for long-term use. These include:
- Liraglutide (Saxenda), an under-the-skin (subcutaneous) injection medication.
- Semaglutide (Wegovy), also an under-the-skin injection medication.
- Naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave), a pill.
- Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia), a pill.
The FDA has also approved short-term use (typically up to 12 weeks) of the following appetite suppressants:
- Benzphetamine (Didrex, Regimex)
- Diethylpropion (Tenuate, Tenuate Dospan)
- Phendimetrazine (Prelu-2)
- Phentermine (Adipex-P, Pro-Fast, and others)
It is important to note that appetite suppressants do not work on their own. Studies show that they are most effective when combined with a reduced-calorie eating plan and regular physical activity. Additionally, you should always check with your healthcare provider before using any medication, as they may interact with other medications or cause health problems.
Zepbound (Tirzepatide) is another medication that has been FDA-approved for obesity. It is administered either orally or via subcutaneous injection and works by regulating hormones in the brain, the digestive system, and adipose tissue to suppress appetite and cravings and promote satiety.
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Side effects
Diet pills, also known as appetite suppressants, are a type of weight-loss medication for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more, or a BMI of 27 or more with other health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol. They work by affecting how the body and brain experience appetite and hunger, making people feel less hungry or full faster after eating less food. While they can be beneficial for weight loss, it's important to be aware of potential side effects.
One commonly prescribed diet pill is Orlistat, which works by blocking the absorption of dietary fats. Common side effects of Orlistat include oily discharge from the rectum, flatulence with discharge, increased defecation, and fecal incontinence. Other potential side effects of diet pills include constipation, upset stomach, bloating, and diarrhea. More serious potential side effects include stomach problems, kidney issues or failure, gallbladder problems, pancreatitis, and hypoglycemia. It is worth noting that some manufacturers warn that certain diet pills may cause thyroid tumors or thyroid cancer, so patients should be monitored for symptoms such as swelling in the neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath.
Additionally, GLP-1 receptor agonists, which include tirzepatide, Semaglutide (Wegovy®), and Ozempic, can cause gastrointestinal adverse events such as nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, bloating, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and constipation. These symptoms are generally mild and temporary but can impact a patient's comfort and adherence to the medication. To manage these side effects, it is recommended to limit high-fat, greasy, and sugary foods, as well as spicy dishes, to reduce nausea, cramping, and acid reflux. Eating smaller portions and listening to one's body to stop eating at the first sign of fullness can also help alleviate these side effects.
It is important to consult with a healthcare provider before taking any diet pills, including over-the-counter (OTC) options, as they may interact with other medications or cause health problems. While diet pills can aid in weight loss, they should be used as part of a comprehensive obesity treatment plan that includes a reduced-calorie eating plan and regular physical activity.
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Weight loss injections
While there is no such thing as a magic weight-loss pill, there are appetite suppressants that can aid in weight loss for people with obesity. These are available as prescription medications or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Appetite suppressants work by reducing your appetite or making you feel full faster, resulting in reduced calorie intake and subsequent weight loss. However, they are most effective when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and regular physical activity.
In recent years, the focus has shifted towards weight loss injections as a potential solution for obesity. Currently, the market offers several injectable medications, including Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, and Liraglutide (Saxenda or Victoza). These injections are typically administered once a week, making them more convenient than daily injections. They work by targeting gut hormone receptors that regulate appetite, thereby reducing hunger and cravings.
One of the most popular weight loss injections is Wegovy® (semaglutide), which has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is prescribed for adults with obesity or overweight individuals with weight-related medical issues, such as heart disease. Wegovy® is designed to be used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity to enhance weight loss and maintain results. Patients taking Wegovy® have reported positive outcomes, with some losing up to 11% of their starting body weight.
Another injectable option is Ozempic, which has been approved for people with Type 2 diabetes. Similar to Wegovy®, Ozempic targets the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1, which regulates appetite. Zepbound (tirzepatide) is another promising weight loss injection that targets two gut hormone receptors, making it a dual agonist. This injection has shown impressive results, with patients achieving weight loss of upwards of 20%-22% of their excess body weight, comparable to the outcomes of bariatric surgery.
While weight loss injections offer a less invasive approach to treating obesity, they are not without drawbacks. The current challenges associated with injectable weight loss medications include cost and side effects. Side effects such as nausea, reflux, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea have been observed in about 10%-20% of patients. Researchers are working to address these issues and make the drugs more accessible and affordable for patients.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are pills that can aid in weight loss. These are called appetite suppressants and they work by making you feel less hungry or full faster after eating less food.
Diet pills are for people with obesity, defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. They are also for people with a BMI of 27 or greater who have other health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol that make weight loss important.
There are both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) diet pills available. It is important to check with a healthcare provider before using OTC diet pills as they may interact with medications or cause health problems.
Diet pills are typically taken orally. However, there are also weight-loss medications that are administered as subcutaneous injections.
Yes, diet pills may have side effects such as abnormal sensations, dizziness, altered taste, insomnia, constipation, dry mouth, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, headache, fatigue, abdominal pain, and more. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before taking any medication to understand the potential risks and benefits.
