Prescription Diet Pills Reviews- Prescription Weight Loss Pills Information- OTC Diet Pill Alternatives

Prescription diet pills are available in many different forms. The choice of prescription weight loss pills prescribed, and even format (capsule, tablet, liquid, etc.), depend on a decision the doctor and patient make together. 

Prescription Diet Pills

Many factors are taken into consideration to choose the right course of action for prescription diet pills as obesity treatments. These include: the patient’s unique weight loss circumstance, his or her medical history, the ingredients contained within the formula of the prescription diet pills, the known benefits of the treatment, and the potential risks.

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Types of Prescription Weight Loss Pills

The three most common forms of prescription diet pills are appetite suppressants, also called anorectics, and fat blockers. That said, those are far from the only types of medications available.

Appetite Suppressant Prescription Diet Pills

Appetite suppressants work as prescription diet pills by affecting a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. This is the part of the brain that is responsible for creating the sensations of being hungry or feeling full. By changing the re-uptake of chemicals – called norepinephrine and serotonin – in that part of the brain, it is also possible to create a feeling of being satisfied by a meal. This can occur even if the dieter has eaten a smaller amount of food.

When these prescription diet pills are used, many dieters find it easier to eat less food without experiencing the discomforts usually associated with that effort. Those discomforts include hunger, food cravings, moodiness, and other common symptoms associated with feelings of being hungry or unsatisfied by a meal.

Examples of appetite suppressing prescription diet pills include: Phentermine (Adipex, Ionamin), sibutramine (Meridia), and Phendimetrazine (Bontril).

Anorectic Prescription Diet Pills

Anorectic prescription diet pills are another way of referring to appetite suppressants.  Many people don’t realize that the meaning of this term and feel that it is an entirely different category of pills.  That said, anorectics are a type of medication that acts on the body to reduce the appetite. 

They can work in many ways.  The most common type of anorectic prescription diet pills are the form described above, as used by Phentermine (Adipex) and Phendimetrazine (Bontril), Lorcaserin (Belviq), among others.

While there are other forms of anorectics in the non-prescription category – such as forms of fiber that expand in the stomach to fill the space and make the user less hungry – this type of anorectic has yet to be released in the prescription diet pills category.  As such, only stimulant- and other chemical reaction-based anorectics exist by prescription.

Other Types of Prescription Weight Loss Pills

Fat blocker prescription diet pills work by stopping an enzyme known as lipase from performing its task.

When food containing fats is consumed, what will usually happen is that the lipase enzyme will be released. That enzyme is a catalyst for the breakdown of dietary fats. Those fats molecules must be broken down to be small enough for the body to absorb them. Once absorbed, they can be used as energy or stored as body fat for future energy needs.

These fat blockers block the secretion or action of lipase. When the lipase is blocked, less dietary fat is broken down. This reduces the amount that can be absorbed into the body, and the remainder moves through and is excreted with the rest of the body’s waste via bowel movements.

The most commonly used examples of fat blocker prescription diet pills are: Orlistat (Xenical).

Common Prescription Diet Pills

There are currently several different prescription diet pills available in the United States.  A doctor can prescribe these medications as obesity treatments, depending on the needs of the patients.  After several years without the introduction of any new weight loss medications into the prescription category, the FDA has given its approval for a number of new pills in recent years.

Among the most common prescription diet pills are the following:

• Phentermine – An appetite suppressant (anorectic), also sold under the brand names: Adipex-P, Suprenza
• Orlistat – A fat blocker (inhibits fat absorption), also sold under the brand names: Xenical
• Lorcaserin – An appetite suppressant (selective serotonin 2C receptor agonist), also sold under the brand names: Belviq and Belviq XR
• Phendimetrazine – An appetite suppressant (anorectic), also sold under the brand names: Bontril PDM, Bontril SR
• Methamphetamine – An appetite suppressant rarely prescribed due to risks of abuse and illegal distribution, also sold under the brand name: Desoxyn
• Benzphetamine – An appetite suppressant (anorectic), also sold under the brand name: Didrex
• Diethylpropion – An appetite suppressant (anorectic)
• Sibutramine – An appetite suppressant (anorectic), no longer legal in the United States, as it was banned in 2010 due to increased heart attack risk, also sold under the brand name: Meridia
• Phentermine and Topiramate – An appetite suppressant (anorectic) combination drug, also sold under the brand name: Qsymia
• Bupropion hydrochloride and Naltrexone hydrochloride – An appetite suppressant that increases the metabolism and is believed to affect the central reward center, also sold under the brand name: Contrave.
• Liraglutide – A GLP-1 that may affect appetite portion of the brain, also sold under the brand name: Saxenda

How Do Prescription Diet Pills Work?

The way in which each prescription diet pills work differs from one to the next.  The nature of the diet pill helps to decide its function within the body.  For instance, an appetite suppressant, an anorectic, works by making an obesity patient feel less hungry.  In this way, he or she may eat less and, with the right meal and snack choices, it may be easier to stay within an appropriate calorie range without suffering from hunger pangs.

On the other hand, a fat blocker stops the body from being able to absorb some of the dietary fats consumed in food.  When it is not absorbed, its calories are not taken into the body and will therefore not contribute to weight gain or make it more difficult to lose weight.  The fat travels through the body until it is expelled with the waste. Therefore, even though the fat is eaten, some of it will not be taken in.  By eating fewer calories even after consuming the same amount of food, dieters can enjoy what they like, eat the amount they need to avoid hunger, but still reduce their caloric intake.

Are Prescription Diet Pills Effective?

Any prescription diet pills that are approved as prescription drugs in the United States have been proven effective in medical research when compared to a placebo.  Research on the drugs show that they lead to significant enough weight loss when combined with lifestyle changes, in order to make them worth the risks associated with their use.  Still, the study results must have shown that they will provide improved results over simply making lifestyle changes alone.

The research indicated that over the course of a year, when used as a part of an obesity treatment that includes lifestyle changes, patients can lose between 3 and 7 percent of their total body weight above the amount that they would lose if they made lifestyle changes alone.

Though that may not seem like too much, when taking into consideration the fact that a loss of 5 to 10 percent of total body weight – when maintained over time – can have considerable health benefits, including reduced blood pressure, lower bad cholesterol levels, and decreased blood sugar.

Taking Prescription Diet Pills Properly

Taking prescription diet pills properly is a matter of doing exactly as your doctor recommends.  Your doctor will likely discuss the recommended usage with you when he or she prescribes the medication.  That said, using these medications aren’t just a matter of swallowing pills.  Along with the prescription for the pills there will also be a prescription for certain lifestyle changes.

Some prescription diet pills are taken once per day.  Others may need to be taken more than once.  It’s very important to take them exactly as prescribed.  Otherwise, there is a risk that these medications could produce avoidable side effects, addiction, or simply not work as well as they could. 

If you’re not sure how to take your prescription diet drug properly, or if you have any questions about how to take them, it is important to do so before you start taking them. Talk to your doctor or to your pharmacist to be sure you’re using them exactly as you should.

Lifestyle changes that you may be required to make while taking prescription diet pills could include a calorie restricted diet, a fat restricted diet, or an improved activity level.  These lifestyle changes are not only vital to get the most out of the diet pills, but it also makes sure the right habits will be in place once the dieter is no longer taking the medication, so the lost weight will be less likely to return.

Common Side Effects

Like all prescription medications, diet pills come with the risk of potential side effects.  These can range from mild to severe.  Depending on the type of diet pill, it could involve different types of side effects. 

For instance, stimulant-based anorectics (appetite suppressants), are associated with increased heart rate and blood pressure, restlessness, nervousness, dependence, and a chance of abuse or addiction with related withdrawal symptoms.

Fat blocking diet drugs can produce side effects such as: gas (flatulence) oily spotting, soft stools, fecal urgency, fecal incontinence, and vitamin deficiencies. 

Other potential side effects associated with different kinds of prescription diet pills include: dry mouth, dizziness, nausea, headache, fatigue, constipation, dissociation, euphoria, diarrhea, anxiety, tremor, hot flush, unusual taste, or others.

How To Decide If Prescription Weight Loss Pills Are Right For You?

The first step in deciding if prescription weight loss pills are for you is to go to the doctor.  The reason is that, by their very nature, they are available to you only if your licensed physician prescribe them to you.  Keep in mind that these are meant to be a component of an obesity treatment and they are, therefore, not appropriate for everyone. It is important for the risks associated with using this medication to be worth the potential gains it can bring to your health.

Of course, being obese isn’t the only factor to consider regarding whether prescription diet pills are right for you. While you’re talking to your doctor, make sure to discuss any medical conditions you may have.  Bring up any other prescription or non-prescription medications you’re using or that you intend to use throughout your weight loss efforts.  You should also take the opportunity to discuss any supplements you’re taking, even if they’re just vitamins, minerals or extracts. In this way, you can do your best to rule out conflicts and interactions.

How To Buy Prescription Weight Loss Pills?

Buying prescription weight loss pills is not as easy as purchasing diet supplements.  To start, you will need to obtain a doctor’s prescription.  This means that you’ll need to qualify for the drugs, first.  Once you have a prescription, you can choose to fill it at a brick and mortar or online pharmacy. 

In most cases, a brick and mortar pharmacy is recommended, as there is typically more waiting involved in having it filled online.  If you do choose an online pharmacy, it’s extremely important to make sure you’re shopping at a legitimate, licensed website.

There are many dubious websites pretending to be legitimate pharmacies. Using them can risk the security of your personal and/or financial information, receiving the wrong pills masquerading as the right ones, or receiving the right pills that have been improperly stored and therefore will not work as they should. Even if it costs a little more, it’s always better to shop at a pharmacy with a solid reputation and that you know is legal and legitimate.

Best Over The Counter Diet Pills Alternatives

If you discover that prescription diet pills are not for you, then this doesn’t mean you don’t have any options.  There are some very helpful over the counter diet pill alternatives that can offer a range of advantages.  Look for products that work by providing weight management support to your healthy eating and exercising strategy.

This way, you can lean on the added assistance of over the counter diet pill alternatives that help you build healthy lifestyle habits.  They are designed to help you to overcome your top challenges to reaching your weight control goals.

These are products developed for overweight dieters with a BMI of 25 to 29.9.  The needs of those dieters are not the same as those of people suffering from obesity.  As a result, it is very important to choose a product meant for the types of obstacles faced within that category. 

OTC Weight Loss Pill Alternatives

To find the right weight loss pill alternatives for your needs, there are many things that you can do.  Again, just as you would have if you were hoping to use prescription diet drugs, you can start with your doctor.  Your physician can help you to better understand your weight goals and how you can achieve them. 

With that information, you can work together or on your own to identify your main challenges.  By knowing the most likely struggles you could face with your weight management strategy, you will be better able to select a pill to help overcome them.  Many times, the struggles dieters face are not the ones they thought they would.  Similarly, there are also many challenges that can occur as a result of a deeper underlying problem. 

For instance, while many people think that hunger or the lack of enjoyment of exercise may be their top barrier, it isn’t uncommon to find that it’s actually fatigue causing both of those issues. People who are not adequately rested experience a change in brain chemicals and hormones.  This can lead them to feel more hungry and crave fatty, sugary foods.  It is a natural response from a body lacking the energy it needs from sleep.  Therefore, the main issue for those dieters isn’t appetite and fitness as much as it is energy levels.

Common OTC Diet Pills

Among the most common OTC diet pills are:

• Energy boosters – These help dieters to overcome fatigue and perform better during fat burning workouts.
• Focus and alertness enhancers – These OTC diet pills make it easier for dieters to stay on track and keep up with their diet and fitness changes.
• Metabolism supporters – These types of over the counter diet pill give the body extra support to ensure the metabolism is running efficiently.
• Fat interaction supporters – This type of diet pill gives dieters confidence in knowing that their healthy, fat-reduced diet changes are doing as much as possible for them. These are particularly helpful when combined with cardio workouts.
• Fat blockers – This form of non-prescription diet pill stops a percentage of the dietary fat from food from being absorbed by the body. The fat moves through the body undigested and is sent out with the waste. This type of product is best used with the assistance of a dietician and while being monitored by a doctor.

Prescription Diet Pill Reviews