Obesity is the mother of all diseases. It not only affects your daily activities but your health as well. According to a study conducted by WHO in 2016, over 1.9 million adults aged 18 years and older were overweight while 650 million adults among them were obese. In the United States, every 4 among 10 people are suffering from this chronic disease.
Obesity is associated with many diseases and associated health risks so people who are prone to being obese usually inclined towards using weight loss pills to make themselves slim but everything has its own pros and cons. In this article we will try to understand the working of weight loss pills, their benefits and disadvantages, and best weight loss pills that you can use to reduce your weight.
You will be categorized as obese if the value of your Body Mass Index (BMI) is 30 or above and in this scenario, weight loss pills are considered first-line treatment to lose weight. Before taking weight lose pills tell your GP about your medical history and diseases (if any) to avoid any contraindications.
How effective are weight loss pills?
Weight loss pills act in a way that makes you feel less hungry and in this way they can decrease the calories. Weight loss pills in combination with a healthy diet and exercise can make you lose almost 3-12% of body weight over a period of one year. It does not seem to be a lot but it can save you from many diseases like heart attack, diabetes, cholesterol etc.
How do weight loss pills work?
The prescription drugs to treat obesity work in different ways. Some of the medicines control the hunger by giving you a feeling of satiety or fullness of stomach while others make it cumbersome for the body to absorb fat from the food you eat.
6 best weight loss pills that are approved by FDA
Following are the six best weight loss pills that are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that you can use for long time.
- Bupropion-naltrexone
- Liraglutide
- Orlistat
- Phentermine-topiramate
- Semaglutide
- Setmelanotide
1. Bupropion-naltrexone
This weight loss pill was approved by FDA in 2014 and is a combination of two drugs. Naltrexone is basically a drug that is used for the treatment of patients that are addicted to opioids or alcohol. Bupropion is an anti-depressant and is usually taken by patients that want to quit smoking. Both these drugs when used in combination with weight loss pills will reduce your calories by decreasing your craving for food.
Side effects:
This weight loss pill may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dry mouth, insomnia, anorexia, bulimia, and dizziness. This weight loss pill also has a box warning of increase suicidal thoughts. This drug can also increase heart rate and can cause hypertension.
Additional Information:
According to FDA, if after using this drug for 12 weeks you have not lost 5% of your body weight, stop using this, given that you have little chance of success
2. Liraglutide
This FDA-approved weight loss drug functions in the same way as an intestinal hormone and it gives signals to the brain that the stomach is full. Liraglutide is primarily used to treat diabetes by giving a shot on daily basis. People using this drug often complaint of nausea and sometimes vomiting as well. These side effects limit the use of this drug. It is recommended for long-term use.
Side effects:
Constipation, nausea, diarrhea, low blood pressure, and vomiting are some of the mild side effects. The serious side effects include kidney issues, pancreatitis, tachycardia (increase heart rate), and suicidal inclinations. Some studies have proved that Liraglutide can cause thyroid tumors in animals.
Additional Information:
FDA recommends that after using this drug for 16 weeks if you have not lost any weight then stop taking this because maybe this will not work for you.
3. Orlistat
Orlistat stops the fat uptake of the body. You can also get this weight loss pill from over-the-counter.
Side effects:
Passing gas, oily stool, stomach pain, diarrhea, and uncontrollable bowel movements.
Additional Information:
You should take low-fat diet while taking Orlistat to get better results. You also should take a multivitamin 2 hours before or after taking Orlistat because this weight loss pill blocks the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A,D,E, and K.
4. Phentermine-topiramate
Phentermine-topiramate is a combination drug in which the former is a weight-loss drug while the latter is an anticonvulsant. This drug works by decreasing hunger and appetite.
Side effects:
It has some serious side effects such as hypertension, palpitations, dizziness, chest pain, and insomnia. Do not take this weight loss pill in the evening or before bed because it also causes insomnia and restlessness.
Additional Information:
Phentermine is a controlled drug and this cannot be purchased without a special prescription. Because this drug can be misused.
5. Semaglutide
Semaglutide was approved by FDA in 2021 and it mimics the function of an intestinal hormone that produces insulin and causes satiety (fullness). It can also be used to treat type 2 diabetes.
Side effects:
Gastro-reflux disorder, gas, abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting. In some cases blurred vision and kidney problems due to use of this drug are also reported.
Additional Information:
If you stop using this medicine it can cause weight regain. Also, you will strictly have to follow a low-calorie diet.
6. Setmelanotide
This weight loss pill is approved by FDA only for children aged 6 years or older who are suffering from obesity due to some inherited disorder like:
- Pro-opiomelanocortin deficiency
- Leptin receptor deficiency
- Proprotein subtilisin-kexin type 1 deficiency
Setmelanotide does not treat these disorders but to take this drug you must have lab results that are ensuring that an individual is suffering from these genetic disorders.
Side effects:
Dark skin patches, irritated skin, nausea, diarrhea, belly pain.
Additional Information:
Never give this drug to children under the age of 6 years because it can cause reactions.
How Quickly Can Weight Loss Pills Start Functioning?
On an average, the people who are taking weight loss pills start losing one to two pounds per week. However, taking weight loss pills alone will not work faster. You will have to start eating healthy, exercise or walk daily so that you can lose more weight.
Many people start losing weight in a week or two but if even after using weight loss pills for 12 weeks you does not start losing weight, your GP can recommend you to stop using these pills and may suggest some other plan.
Should I do exercise with using weight loss pills?
If your BMI is greater than 30 kg/m2 Weight loss pills show better results when you combine them with heathier habits like eating balanced diet, taking low-calorie foods, and exercise regularly. These life modifications will help you to lose weight faster.
What is the strongest weight loss prescription pill?
Multiple researches are going on to make most effective and strongest weight loss pill that can control the effects of natural gastrointestinal and pancreatic hormones.
Semaglutide, was approved by FDA in 2021 for weight loss management after conducting randomized control trials. In the step 1 of these trials, 15 percent of weight loss was observed in 68 weeks. Semaglutide is 2.5 times more effective than its parent drug Liraglutide.
Which is the best weight loss pill for men and women in 2022?
PhenQ is most probably the best weight loss pill available in the market. Following are the advantages of using this weight loss pill:
- Burn body fat
- Decrease fat production in the body
- Increase energy levels
- Decrease food cravings and reduces appetite and hunger
- Better your mood
Can children use weight loss pills?
The FDA approved weight loss drugs are mostly for adults. However, Orlistat and Liraglutide are two of the most commonly used weight loss drugs that are approved by the FDA to use in the children above 12 years of age. Samegultide is another weight loss drug that is approved by FDA to use in children above the age of 6 years.
Should pregnant women take weight loss drugs?
Females who are pregnant or who are nursing their babies should not use OTC drugs, herbal medicines, and herbal teas to reduce weight.
Do other OTC medications for weight loss are safe to use?
There are many OTC remedies available for weight loss but never fall prey to these medications because they can cause more harm than good. Always use a weight loss medication after taking guidance from your physician.
Following are some of the OTC weight loss remedies and many of them are now restricted to use.
- Phenylpropanolamine or PPA
Formerly, this was used as an active pharmaceutical ingredient in the medications used to treat decongestion. It also has a mild huger suppression effect but it is not effective for a long duration. It is prohibited to use this drug with other decongestants as it can cause high blood pressure and may also increase the chances of having a stroke. In the USA, you cannot purchase PPA drugs without a doctor’s prescription.
- Ephedrine
This can cause tachycardia, hypertension, and can even cause seizures. Even some reports show that it can cause death. When FDA, banned PPA products, many weight loss pill manufacturers start making the drug using ephedra. However, ephedra-containing dietary supplements and weight loss pills are restricted for use in the USA since 2004 after FDA found that these products pose serious threats to users.
- Chitosan
It is a substance that is gathered from shellfish and is often dubbed a “fat-cutter.” Never waste your time and money on this product. The result of a scientific study reveals that a time period of seven months is required to lose merely one pound of weight.
- Dietary herbal teas
Dietary herbal teas contain ingredients that are called laxatives. Laxatives are those medications that help you treat bowel problems. If these medications are used for a longer duration of time they can cause chronic stomach pain and constipation. People often become used to these drugs. Nevertheless, Chinese people use Oolong tea to lose weight and they can lose almost lose one and a half quarter per day.
Are there any chances of gaining weight again after stop using weight loss pills?
After stop using weight loss medicines there are chances that you may again put on weight. However, you may lose more weight or keep it off by adopting and maintaining healthy eating habits and increasing your physical activity.
Risks associated with weight loss medicines
Following are the risks that are linked with using weight loss medicines:
- Increase heart rate
- Hypertension
- Palpitations
- insomnia
- constipation
- nervousness
- suicidal thoughts
Summary
Prescription weight loss medications can be helpful for many obese persons who struggle to lose more weight when lifestyle modifications like reducing calories and increasing exercise are insufficient to noticeably shift the scale. Some people often use weight reduction pills to maintain their weight. However, it’s crucial to be aware of any medication’s potential hazards and side effects, and to carefully go through your alternatives with your doctor. In addition to using these medications, a person should take balanced diet and exercise regularly to maintain the weight.
