Milly Gaines
Diet pills, also known as appetite suppressants, are a type of weight-loss medication for people with obesity, or a body mass index (BMI) over 30. They work by blocking or increasing specific hormones, neurotransmitters, and/or peptides that affect how the body and brain experience appetite and hunger. While some diet pills are available over the counter, others require a prescription and may have side effects or interact with other medications. Some examples of prescription diet pills include Qsymia, Contrave, and Orlistat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Qsymia |
| Dosage | Once-daily oral capsule |
| Age | Adults and children aged 12 years or more |
| Effectiveness | In initial studies, Qsymia helped about 70% of adults lose at least 5% of their body weight after 1 year. Close to 50% of participants lost at least 10% of their body weight. |
| Side effects | Suicidal thoughts or actions, cleft lip and cleft palate in babies if taken during pregnancy |
| Precautions | Should not be taken by pregnant women, people with glaucoma, thyroid problems, or those allergic to topiramate, sympathomimetic amines such as phentermine, or any of the ingredients in Qsymia |
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What You'll Learn
Pros and cons of Qsymia
Qsymia is a prescription weight management medication that contains a combination of phentermine and topiramate. It is designed to be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity to help adults and children aged 12 and above with obesity or overweight-related medical problems lose weight. Qsymia is clinically proven to be effective and is the most prescribed branded oral weight-management medication for adults. It is also FDA-approved for weight management in children aged 12-17.
Pros of Qsymia
- Qsymia is clinically proven to be effective for weight management in adults and children aged 12-17.
- It is the most prescribed branded oral weight-management medication for adults.
- It is FDA-approved for weight management in children aged 12-17.
- It is convenient, as it is a once-daily oral medication that requires no training to administer.
- It can fit seamlessly into any patient's lifestyle.
- It has been trusted for over a decade to help adult patients achieve their weight-management goals.
Cons of Qsymia
- Qsymia should not be taken by pregnant women, as it increases the risk of birth defects called cleft lip and cleft palate.
- It should not be taken by people with glaucoma or thyroid problems (hyperthyroidism).
- It should not be taken by people who are allergic to topiramate, sympathomimetic amines such as phentermine, or any other ingredients in Qsymia.
- It may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a small number of people.
- It may cause mood changes, trouble sleeping, concentration problems, memory issues, and speech difficulties.
- It may cause eye pain or changes in vision.
- It may cause a severe rash with blisters and peeling skin, especially around the mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals (Stevens-Johnson Syndrome).
- It may cause numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation in the arms, feet, or face.
- It may cause dizziness, constipation, dry mouth, and insomnia.
- It may increase the risk of kidney stones, especially when combined with a ketogenic diet.
- It may decrease sweating and increase body temperature, leading to life-threatening dehydration.
- It may cause allergic reactions, especially in people allergic to aspirin.
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Orlistat (Xenical) prescription pill
Orlistat (Xenical) is a prescription weight-loss pill. It is a lipase inhibitor that comes in a capsule and is taken by mouth with water. It works by blocking the enzyme that breaks down fats consumed through food, thereby inhibiting the absorption of dietary fats. This unabsorbed fat is then passed through the stool.
Orlistat is intended for use with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet and an exercise program to help people lose weight and maintain weight loss. It is usually taken three times a day with each main meal containing fat, during or up to one hour after the meal. If a meal is missed or does not contain fat, the dose can be skipped. It is important to follow the directions on the prescription label carefully and not to take more or less than prescribed.
Common side effects of Orlistat include oily discharge from the rectum, flatulence with discharge, increased defecation, and fecal incontinence. It can also cause decreased absorption of some vitamins, so it is recommended to take a daily multivitamin containing vitamins D, E, K, and beta-carotene or vitamin A.
Orlistat may interact with other medications, including levothyroxine, cyclosporine, and oral contraceptives, so it is important to inform your doctor and pharmacist of all medications you are taking. It should not be taken by individuals with certain conditions, such as an eating disorder, diabetes, gallbladder disease, history of irregular heartbeat, or liver disease.
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Appetite suppressants
There are various prescription appetite suppressants available, including Liraglutide (Saxenda®), which is an injectable medication. Liraglutide acts on hormones that signal from the gut to the brain, making patients feel full quicker and reducing hunger signals. Side effects may include nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting, headache, decreased appetite, fatigue, dizziness, abdominal pain, and renal insufficiency.
Another prescription appetite suppressant is Semaglutide (Wegovy®), which is also administered via injection. It is intended to be used indefinitely in combination with a healthy diet and exercise. Side effects may include gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, dizziness, and fatigue.
For those who prefer oral medication, Naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave®) is a pill that combines two medications, naltrexone and bupropion. It works by reducing appetite and cravings for food. In studies, more than 40% of adults who took Contrave for a year lost at least 5% of their body weight, with over 20% losing at least 10%.
Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia®) is another oral pill that works by reducing appetite. Initial studies showed that around 70% of adults lost at least 5% of their body weight after a year, with nearly 50% losing at least 10%. However, it is important to note that Qsymia is a controlled substance and may not be suitable for everyone. It should not be taken during pregnancy as it increases the risk of birth defects, and it may cause suicidal thoughts or actions.
Lastly, Orlistat (Xenical) is an oral prescription weight-loss pill taken three times a day with meals. It blocks the absorption of dietary fats, reducing the risk of weight regain. Common side effects include oily discharge from the rectum, flatulence with discharge, increased defecation, and fecal incontinence.
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Contrave pills
Contrave is a prescription-only, FDA-approved weight-loss pill that combines two medicines, naltrexone and bupropion, that work together to affect appetite. Bupropion is an antidepressant that can also decrease appetite, while naltrexone is typically used to block the effects of opioids or alcohol in people with addiction issues. Naltrexone may also help curb hunger and food cravings.
Contrave is intended to be used by adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or with a BMI of 27 or higher who have a weight-related medical problem. It should be used in conjunction with diet and exercise, and it may help control hunger and cravings. It is not intended to treat weight-related medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol.
The most common side effects of Contrave are nausea, constipation, and headache. However, it may also cause severe allergic reactions, suicidal thoughts or actions, hallucinations, and psychotic-like behaviours. There is also a risk of seizures, particularly when combined with other medications or alcohol. It is important to consult a healthcare provider before taking Contrave, as it may not be suitable for those with certain medical conditions or who are taking other medications.
Contrave is not recommended for pregnant women, as it may cause birth defects. It is also not approved for use by anyone under the age of 18, as it may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in children, teenagers, and young adults. Additionally, Contrave should not be used in conjunction with opioid medications, as it contains naltrexone, which blocks the effects of opioids.
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Liraglutide injections
Liraglutide, marketed as Saxenda®, is a daily injectable prescription medicine used for weight loss in adults with obesity or overweight (excess weight) who also have weight-related medical problems. It is also approved for use in children aged 12-17 years with a body weight above 132 pounds (60kg) and obesity. Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, which works by mimicking a natural hormone called GLP-1 that is produced by the body after eating. This hormone helps control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes by increasing insulin when needed, reducing glucose production in the liver, slowing digestion, and decreasing appetite.
When used for weight loss, liraglutide reduces appetite by slowing digestion, which tells your brain that you are full, so you eat less. Over time, eating less leads to weight loss. Liraglutide is injected just under the skin (subcutaneously) in the stomach area (abdomen), upper leg (thigh), or upper arm. It should not be injected into a vein or muscle. The dose of liraglutide typically starts at 0.6 mg and can be increased up to 3 mg per day. It is important to note that liraglutide should be used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for effective weight loss.
Like all medications, liraglutide may cause side effects. The most common side effects include nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting, headache, decreased appetite, dyspepsia, fatigue, dizziness, abdominal pain, and renal insufficiency. Additionally, liraglutide carries a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumours, as it has been shown to cause thyroid tumours, including thyroid cancer, in rats and mice. However, it is unknown whether liraglutide would cause this type of cancer in humans. Therefore, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting liraglutide injections to weigh the benefits against the potential risks.
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Frequently asked questions
Qsymia is a weight-loss pill that works by reducing your appetite. It is a combination of phentermine and topiramate. It is FDA-approved for adults and children aged 12-17.
Topiramate, an ingredient in Qsymia, may cause suicidal thoughts or actions. It should not be taken by those who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, as it increases the risk of birth defects. It may also change your risk of heart problems or stroke, although this is not known.
Qsymia is a once-daily oral capsule. It should be used in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
