Dante Carrillo
Prescription diet pills are a popular and effective treatment for obesity and health problems related to being overweight. They are also a convenient needle-free option for people who need help losing weight. Prescription weight loss drugs are most effective when combined with lifestyle changes, such as a nutritious diet and routine exercise. Some common prescription diet pills include Orlistat (Xenical), Qsymia, Wegovy, and Phentermine. Phentermine, for example, is an inexpensive drug used to decrease appetite and is available in generic and brand versions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Prescription weight-loss pills, also known as appetite suppressants |
| How they work | They affect how your body and brain experience appetite and hunger. They make you feel less hungry or full faster after eating less food. |
| Effectiveness | People can lose up to 3% to 12% of their body weight while taking these medications. |
| Cost | Pills are generally a more affordable option than injectables. Phentermine can be purchased for as little as $10. |
| Side effects | Side effects may include abnormal sensations, dizziness, altered taste, insomnia, constipation, and dry mouth. |
| Contraindications | Contraindications include uncontrolled hypertension, coronary artery disease, hyperthyroidism, glaucoma, and sensitivity to stimulants. |
| Common prescription pills | Phentermine, Orlistat (Xenical), Qsymia, Naltrexone-bupropion, Benzphetamine, Diethylpropion, Phendimetrazine, and Liraglutide (Saxenda). |
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What You'll Learn
- Phentermine: decreases appetite, often used short-term
- Qsymia: combines phentermine and topiramate, reduces appetite
- Orlistat: reduces fat absorption, can be taken with meals
- Wegovy: GLP-1 receptor agonist, reduces appetite
- Naltrexone-bupropion: combines opioid receptor antagonist with an antidepressant
Phentermine: decreases appetite, often used short-term
Weight loss medications can be beneficial for people who need extra help to achieve their target body weight. While a nutritious diet and regular exercise are important, certain drugs can provide powerful support. Phentermine is one such drug and is one of the most popular weight loss drugs in the world. It is a prescription-only appetite suppressant that can be had for as little as $10.
Phentermine is thought to decrease appetite by increasing neurotransmitter levels in the brain. It increases the levels of the chemicals norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine, which are the body's chemical messengers. When levels of these three chemicals increase, your feeling of hunger decreases. Phentermine also appears to increase levels of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin by inhibiting their reuptake and inhibiting monoamine oxidase enzymes. It possibly also indirectly raises leptin levels in the brain (leptin is a hormone that tells us we feel full), and reduces the effects of neuropeptide Y, a chemical messenger that initiates eating, decreases energy expenditure, and increases fat storage.
Phentermine is most often used for short-term weight loss when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise. It is recommended only for people with an initial BMI of 30 kg/m2 or 27 kg/m2 with risk factors for a cardiovascular event, such as controlled high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol. It may not be safe for certain people, and common side effects include dry mouth, dizziness, fatigue, irritability, and constipation. It should not be used by those with heart disease, hyperthyroidism, glaucoma, or severe kidney or liver disease, or by those who are pregnant or nursing.
Phentermine is most effective when combined with lifestyle changes, such as a nutritious diet and routine exercise. It is not recommended as a first-line treatment, and healthy lifestyle changes should be prioritized for long-term success.
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Qsymia: combines phentermine and topiramate, reduces appetite
Prescription weight-loss pills are a convenient option for those who need help losing weight. These pills are most effective when combined with lifestyle changes, such as a nutritious diet and routine exercise.
Qsymia is a prescription weight-loss pill that combines phentermine and topiramate. Phentermine is an inexpensive drug that decreases appetite. It is often used for a short period and combined with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise. Topiramate, on the other hand, is a seizure and migraine drug that causes weight loss by helping you feel full, making food less appealing, and burning more calories.
Qsymia is available as a once-daily oral capsule for adults and children aged 12 and older. It is typically filled as a brand-name product, but a generic version is also available. The most common form of Qsymia is a 7.5mg/46mg capsule, but it also comes in 3.75mg/23mg, 11.25mg/69mg, and 15mg/92mg dosages. It is covered by some Medicare and insurance plans, and coupons can help offset the cost.
In initial studies, Qsymia helped about 70% of adults lose at least 5% of their body weight after one year, with close to 50% losing at least 10%. It is important to note that prescription appetite suppressants like Qsymia should be used under the guidance of a healthcare provider and are typically recommended for individuals with obesity (BMI of 30 or higher) or a lower BMI with weight-related health conditions.
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Orlistat: reduces fat absorption, can be taken with meals
Weight loss medications are most effective when combined with lifestyle changes, such as a nutritious diet and routine exercise. While there are several prescription weight-loss pills available, Orlistat is a good option for those seeking an affordable prescription diet pill.
Orlistat is a medication that can help with weight loss by reducing fat absorption in the body. It is available as an oral capsule that adults can take up to three times a day with meals. It is important to note that Orlistat is not approved for children or adolescents and should not be taken by pregnant or breastfeeding women.
When taking Orlistat, it is recommended to follow a reduced-calorie diet and divide the daily intake of fat, carbohydrates, and protein evenly over three main meals. It is also important to limit fat intake to less than 30% of total daily calories to avoid potential side effects. Eating lean meats, poultry without skin, and low-fat dairy products can help maintain a healthy diet while taking Orlistat.
Orlistat can interfere with the absorption of certain fat-soluble vitamins and beta carotene. Therefore, it is recommended to take a daily multivitamin containing vitamins A, D, E, K, and beta carotene at least two hours before or after taking Orlistat.
Some common side effects of Orlistat include oily faecal matter, increased gas, and frequent bowel movements. More serious but less common side effects include liver damage, kidney stones, gallstones, and severe allergic reactions. It is important to consult a healthcare provider before taking Orlistat to ensure it is safe and appropriate for your individual needs.
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Wegovy: GLP-1 receptor agonist, reduces appetite
Prescription weight-loss pills are a convenient option for people struggling to reach their target body weight through diet and exercise alone. While some weight-loss pills are available over the counter, prescription pills are FDA-approved and clinically proven to be effective.
One such prescription pill is Wegovy, a brand name for semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Wegovy was approved by the FDA in 2021 and is administered as an injection. It is intended for adults and children aged 12 years or more with obesity (BMI ≥30 for adults, BMI ≥ 95th percentile for age and sex for children) or some adults with excess weight (BMI ≥27) and weight-related medical problems.
Wegovy works by increasing insulin release and reducing appetite. It is used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise. The dose must be increased gradually over 16 to 20 weeks to arrive at the 2.4 mg dosage. This gradual progression can help to alleviate side effects, which include gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, dizziness, and fatigue.
Wegovy is not covered by most Medicare and insurance plans, and the Kaiser Family Foundation estimates its annual net price at $13,600. However, manufacturer and pharmacy coupons can help offset the cost. Additionally, NovoCare Pharmacy offers Wegovy in all dose strengths via home delivery to uninsured or commercially insured individuals without obesity drug coverage.
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Naltrexone-bupropion: combines opioid receptor antagonist with an antidepressant
Weight loss pills are a convenient option for people who need help losing weight. While there are many prescription weight loss pills available, Naltrexone-bupropion is a combination medication that includes an opioid receptor antagonist and an antidepressant.
Naltrexone-bupropion, sold under the brand name Contrave, is a fixed-dose combination medication for the management of chronic obesity in adults. It is taken orally and is usually taken twice a day. It combines naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, and bupropion, an aminoketone atypical antidepressant. Both medications have individually shown some evidence of effectiveness in weight loss, and the combination has been shown to have synergistic effects. The exact neurochemical mechanism of the combination leading to weight loss is not fully understood, but it is believed to work synergistically in the hypothalamus and the mesolimbic dopamine circuit to promote satiety, reduce food intake, and enhance energy expenditure.
Naltrexone and bupropion work together on two areas of the brain: the hunger centre and the reward system. This helps to reduce appetite and control cravings by affecting the pleasure-reward areas of the brain. Bupropion is a reuptake inhibitor of both norepinephrine and dopamine and activates proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in the hypothalamus, resulting in a loss of appetite and increased energy output. Naltrexone, a pure opioid antagonist, further augments bupropion's activation of the POMC. Combined, they affect the reward pathway, resulting in reduced food cravings.
Naltrexone-bupropion is indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for adults who are obese or overweight and have weight-related medical problems. It is important to note that the safety and effectiveness of Naltrexone-bupropion in children under the age of 18 have not been studied. Additionally, it should not be taken with opioid medications or street drugs, as it can lead to an overdose. Other medications may also cause dosing changes or require extra monitoring when taken with naltrexone and bupropion, so it is important to discuss any current or planned medications with a doctor and pharmacist.
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Frequently asked questions
Phentermine is an inexpensive drug used to decrease appetite. It is available in generic and brand versions. It is not covered by most Medicare and insurance plans, but pharmacy coupons can help offset the cost.
Prescription appetite suppressants such as naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave) and orlistat (Xenical) are also available. Orlistat has generic versions that are cheaper than the prescription version.
Prescription diet pills work by blocking or increasing specific hormones, neurotransmitters and/or peptides. They generally work by making you feel less hungry or feel full faster when you eat.
Prescription diet pills are recommended for people with obesity, which is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. They may also be prescribed if your BMI is at least 27 and you have weight-related health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
