Appetite-suppressant pills reduce cravings by inhibiting the functionality of the hypothalamus – the region of the brain responsible for appetite regulation. These drugs induce a blocking mechanism in the brain, preventing it from taking up any serotonin or norepinephrine. This improves the feeling of satiety and keeps you from overindulgence in food.
As weight loss medications, appetite suppressants regulate hunger pangs and ensure you experience more satiety by eating less. As a result, the reduced intake of calories improves weight loss.
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Are Appetite Suppressants Effective?
Appetite suppressants are not a one-and-done solution for weight loss – prescription ones can help you lose between 3 and 9% of your initial weight within a year. However, this is only possible if you combine them with regular exercise and a healthy diet.
How Do I Know if I Need to Take Appetite Suppressants?
You can take appetite suppressants if you’ve been trying to lose weight with a diet and exercise without any success. However, not everybody trying to lose weight should take these drugs and supplements.
If you’re not overweight and at risk of developing obesity-based complications, you may want to stay away from appetite suppressants. Besides, many have side effects that may not be worth the risk.
However, if you’re obese (BMI over 30), have a BMI above 27, and have diabetes or hypertension (high blood pressure), you’re an ideal candidate for appetite suppressants.
What are the Best Appetite Suppressants?
There are many different types of appetite suppressants. However, only a few are FDA-approved, which means they’re drugs and you’ll need a prescription before you head to the pharmacy. These include:
- Qsymia (Phentermine/Topiramate)
- Contrave (Naltrexone-bupropion)
- Tenuate dospan (Diethylpropion)
- Pro-Fast (Phentermine)
- Prelu-2 (Phendimetrazine)
- Saxenda (Liraglutide)
While some OTC weight loss drugs such as Orlistat (Alli) may appear on multiple appetite suppressant lists and advertisements, they don’t fall in this category. Alli delays fat digestion and absorption, which still helps you lose weight by giving you the feeling of being full for longer.
Your doctor will recommend the best appetite suppressant based on your diagnosis and condition. However, it’s still important to keep in mind that phentermine-based prescription drugs might lead to addiction. So, unless necessary, avoid them.
Nevertheless, if you have no reason to see a doctor but still want the best over the counter weight loss pills that actually work, you only need to conduct brief research before buying what you believe is best for your weight-loss journey.
How Long Should Appetite Suppressants be Taken?
Prescription variants are recommended for a maximum of 12 weeks. If one works well for you and doesn’t affect you negatively, your doctor may suggest you continue using them as long as you want. However, any vast side effects will require that you stop taking your current ones and opt for a different alternative.
On the other hand, there’s no minimum or maximum period for taking OTC appetite suppressants. You’re solely responsible for how long you take them. However, it’s generally recommended that you follow manufacturer instructions without fail for optimal results.
What are the Cons of Using Appetite Suppressants?
Prescription medications typically have side effects. For article suppressants, these side effects include:
- High blood pressure and elevated heart rate
- Insomnia and other sleep problems
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches, fatigue, and dizziness
Similarly, OTC hunger suppressants have their own side effects. But perhaps the most important is due to their unregulated nature, you’re never sure what you’re consuming is what the manufacturer claims.
Therefore, it’s critical that you only stick to reputable brands or ask for recommendations from a nutritionist, your fitness coach, friends, family, or colleagues.
Lastly, one of the major cons of these supplements and medications is that they’re typically not covered by insurance, so you’ll have to pay out of pocket to acquire them. However, if you’ve been diagnosed with obesity, there’s a high likelihood that your insurer covers prescription weight loss medications – check with them first.
When to Avoid Taking Hunger Suppressants
If you’re trying to get pregnant, are pregnant, or have a baby you’re breastfeeding, you’re better off avoiding any appetite suppressants for the few months when you need to care for your baby. Suppressing hunger may interfere with your ability to provide sufficient nourishment for a baby or fetus.
Additionally, Phentermine appetite suppressants are known to cause birth defects if used by pregnant women in their first trimester. Similarly, it’s best to stay away from hunger suppressants if you’re on anxiety medication, anti-depressants, or if you have liver disease, hyperthyroidism, glaucoma, or heart disease.
Final Verdict
Appetite suppressants are excellent if you want to reduce how much you eat on your weight loss journey. They’re affordable and effective, although they work best if you also exercise regularly and watch your diet.
Nevertheless, before you start taking any hunger suppressants, it’s essential that you consult your doctor. There are certain conditions that worsen if you consume these products. A consultation will help you choose the best and safe appetite suppressants, knowing you have nothing to worry about.
Ultimately, the decision whether or not to use these medications lies with you, although you’ll want to consider your doctor’s opinion depending on your condition.
