The 7 Greatest Weight Loss Tablets Reviewed: Alli, Orlistat, Plenity, and Extra

The medical subject is brimming with weight reduction drugs

With so many merchandise geared toward serving to you shed some pounds, it’s difficult to determine quick weight reduction drugs that truly work.

On this evidence-based information, you’ll study assured weight reduction drugs and injections, how every works, their effectiveness and negative effects, and extra.

What Are Weight Loss Medicines?

Weight reduction drugs are medicine that aid you shed some pounds.

The most typical forms of weight reduction drugs are weight reduction drugs and weight reduction injections.

Weight reduction drugs work in numerous methods: some aid you really feel fuller sooner, others curb your urge for food or meals cravings, and nonetheless others make it more durable in your physique to soak up fats from the meals you eat. 

They’re designed to assist people who find themselves chubby or overweight handle their weight. Due to this fact, medical doctors often solely prescribe them should you’re an grownup with . . .

• a BMI of 30 or larger
• a BMI of 27 or larger, and you’ve got weight-related well being issues similar to hypertension or sort 2 diabetes

Can Weight Loss Medicines Change Eating regimen and Train for Weight Loss?

Weight reduction drugs can’t change weight-reduction plan and train as a approach to shed some pounds. 

Most analysis reveals that weight reduction drugs and weight reduction injections are solely efficient when mixed with bodily exercise or wholesome consuming habits.

If you need a food regimen and train program designed that can assist you lose fats, construct muscle, and get wholesome, try my health e book for women and men, Greater Leaner Stronger or Thinner Leaner Stronger.

And should you aren’t positive which coaching or food regimen plan is best for you, take the Legion Power Coaching Quiz or the Legion Eating regimen Quiz, and in lower than a minute, you’ll understand how it’s best to eat and prepare to achieve your objectives. Verify them out right here: 

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The Greatest Weight Loss Tablets and Injections

1. Orlistat (Xenical or Alli)

What Is Orlistat?: Orlistat is a prescription weight reduction capsule marketed beneath the model title Xenical. 

You can too purchase it over-the-counter beneath the model title Alli. The distinction is Alli (60 mg) accommodates a smaller dose of orlistat than Xenical (120 mg).

Each variations of the drug assist deal with weight problems by stopping your physique from absorbing the fats you eat. 

How Does Orlistat Work?: Orlistat works by inhibiting the motion of lipases, enzymes discovered within the digestive tract that break down dietary fat into smaller molecules. By blocking these enzymes, orlistat prevents the digestion and absorption of about 30% of the fats you eat, which your physique as a substitute eliminates in stools.

Does Orlistat Work: Studies present that orlistat successfully aids weight reduction and weight reduction upkeep. 

For instance, a meta-analysis carried out by scientists on the College of Alberta discovered that, on common, individuals who took Alli weight reduction drugs, exercised usually, and adopted a calorie-controlled food regimen misplaced ~3 kilograms greater than those that exercised, dieted, and took a placebo.

These research additionally present that orlistat considerably improves waist circumference, BMI, blood stress, blood sugar ranges in individuals with diabetes, and complete and LDL (“dangerous”) ldl cholesterol ranges.

Orlistat Aspect Results: Regardless of its effectiveness, Orlistat can cause negative effects similar to oily stools, fecal urgency, and elevated bowel actions.

2. Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus)

What Is Semaglutide?: Semaglutide is an injectable remedy used to handle weight problems and kind 2 diabetes, accessible beneath the model names Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus.

How Does Semaglutide Work?: Semaglutide works by mimicking the motion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone that regulates insulin secretion. When taken in massive quantities, it additionally suppresses your urge for food, which may also help you eat fewer energy and, thus, shed some pounds.

Does Semaglutide Work: Studies present that semaglutide enhances weight reduction when coupled with a weight reduction food regimen and common train. 

In a 68-week study carried out by scientists on the College of Liverpool, researchers discovered that individuals who took semaglutide improved their weight (–34 lb. vs. –6 lb.), waistline measurements (−5.3” vs. −1.6”), blood stress, blood sugar, ldl cholesterol, and irritation ranges, and bodily and psychological perform considerably greater than those that took a placebo.

In different phrases, semaglutide is almost as effective as bariatric surgical procedure at boosting weight reduction and well being. 

Semaglutide Aspect Results: Most who take semaglutide expertise gastrointestinal points, together with nausea, vomiting, abdomen ache, diarrhea, and constipation, although these usually diminish with continued use. 

And whereas many specialists believe the dangers are minimal, some analysis has linked semaglutide use with an elevated danger of thyroid most cancers, pancreatitis, diabetic retinopathy, and gallbladder illness.

One other potential aspect impact of semaglutide is muscle loss. This will happen as a result of semaglutide makes consuming undesirable, which may make consuming sufficient protein to keep up muscle difficult.

As an illustration, within the research by the College of Liverpool, virtually 45% of the load every semaglutide consumer misplaced was muscle, and in a study carried out by scientists on the College of Dundee, diabetics taking semaglutide misplaced ~13 lb. of physique weight, of which ~40% was muscle.

That is vital as a result of maintaining muscle is paramount for good well being: It decreases your danger of illness, helps you keep away from accidents, and boosts longevity. In different phrases, semaglutide ramps up weight reduction, but it surely does so in a means that’ll possible hinder your well being over time. 

3. Phentermine (Adipex-P or Lomaira)

What Is Phentermine?: Phentermine is a weight reduction capsule used for short-term weight reduction in chubby or overweight adults and offered beneath the model names Adipex-P and Lomaira.

How Does Phentermine Work?: Scientists don’t totally perceive the mechanisms by which phentermine curbs urge for food. Nonetheless, most believe it elevates the focus of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine in your mind.

When these neurotransmitter ranges rise, starvation sometimes recedes. This lower in starvation encourages you to eat much less, reducing your calorie consumption, which may facilitate weight reduction over time

Does Phentermine Work: Most research shows that phentermine boosts weight reduction. On common, individuals taking phentermine for 3-to-6 months lose ~3-to-7% of their physique weight. In different phrases, should you weigh 200 kilos, you possibly can count on to lose ~10-to-14 kilos inside 6 months. 

That mentioned, the effectiveness of phentermine differs between people and diminishes over time. As such, medical doctors usually advise individuals who see little change in physique composition after 3 months of taking phentermine to cease. 

Whereas phentermine can help weight reduction, it could give higher outcomes when paired with topiramate, a drug primarily used to deal with seizures that additionally suppresses urge for food. 

A 2021 meta-analysis confirmed that individuals taking phentermine and topiramate lose a median of ~17 kilos greater than these taking a placebo. The identical research additionally discovered that the extra you’re taking, the extra weight you stand to lose. 

Folks taking phentermine-topiramate also decreased their waist circumference and improved insulin sensitivity, blood sugar management, and blood stress. 

Phentermine Aspect Results: Generally reported negative effects of phentermine include dry mouth, insomnia, dizziness, palpitations, flushing, fatigue, and constipation.

4. Plenity

What Is Plenity?: Plenity is a prescription weight reduction capsule. In contrast to different weight reduction drugs which are absorbed into the bloodstream, Plenity functions within the abdomen and small gut.

How Does Plenity Work?: Plenity weight reduction drugs include hydrogel particles constructed from two naturally derived constructing blocks: cellulose and citric acid. 

Upon ingestion, these particles quickly soak up water in your abdomen, increasing to create a sensation of fullness. This encourages you to devour much less meals, thereby lowering your calorie consumption.

Following a meal, the hydrogel particles proceed their journey via the small gut earlier than being expelled.

Does Plenity Work:  Proof means that coupling Plenity with a calorie-controlled food regimen and common train can facilitate extra weight reduction than weight-reduction plan and train alone.

As an illustration, in a 24-week research revealed within the journal Weight problems (Silver Spring) and funded by Plenity’s creator, Gelesis, researchers discovered that individuals who supplemented with Plenity shed a median of 6.4% of their beginning weight, in comparison with 4.4% p.c within the placebo group.

Furthermore, round 60% of those that took Plenity misplaced 5% of their weight, with 27% dropping at the least 10% of their preliminary weight.

In distinction, throughout the placebo group, 42% of the individuals misplaced 5% of their beginning physique weight, and 15% shed 10% or extra.

In different phrases, individuals who took A lot had been twice as more likely to lose 10% of their physique weight than those that took a placebo.

Plenity Aspect Results: The most typical negative effects of Plenity include gastrointestinal points like bloating, gasoline, and bowel modifications. 

Nonetheless, as a result of Plenity isn’t absorbed into the bloodstream, it’s usually well-tolerated and doesn’t have the systemic negative effects frequent with different weight reduction drugs.

 5. Liraglutide (Saxenda or Victoza)

What Is Liraglutide?: Liraglutide, marketed beneath the model names Saxenda and Victoza, is an injectable remedy for managing weight and kind 2 diabetes.

How Does Liraglutide Work?: Like semaglutide, liraglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, which suggests it encourages your pancreas to provide insulin in response to elevated blood sugar ranges and helps management urge for food by slowing digestion. 

Does Liraglutide Work: When used along with a calorie-controlled food regimen and common train, liraglutide can assist chubby or overweight individuals in shedding pounds and stopping weight regain.

For instance, in a study revealed in JAMA, scientists discovered that individuals who adopted a weight reduction food regimen and train routine and took liraglutide tended to lose between ~5-to-6% of their physique weight. Conversely, those that took a placebo solely misplaced ~2% of their physique weight.

Moreover, as much as 54% of individuals taking liraglutide misplaced at the least 5% of their physique weight, in comparison with solely ~21% of individuals taking a placebo, and as much as ~25% of these taking liraglutide misplaced at the least 10% of physique weight in comparison with simply ~7% of individuals taking a placebo. 

Liraglutide Aspect Results: Liraglutide may enhance your danger of pancreatitis and gallbladder and biliary illness. It could additionally enhance coronary heart price and trigger gastrointestinal signs, similar to nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea.

6. Naltrexone Bupropion (Contrave)

What Is Naltrexone Bupropion?: Contrave is a weight reduction capsule containing two lively compounds: naltrexone, an opioid usually used to deal with alcohol dependancy, and bupropion, a sort of antidepressant.

How Does Naltrexone Bupropion Work?: We don’t but totally perceive how Contrave works, although specialists imagine it impacts the mind’s “reward system,” serving to you management your meals consumption and keep away from meals cravings and overeating.

Does Naltrexone Bupropion Work: Studies show that combining a weight reduction food regimen and train with naltrexone and bupropion can improve weight reduction, surpassing the results of food regimen and train alone.

In accordance with a review by scientists at Boston College Faculty of Medication & Boston Medical Middle, individuals who adopted a calorie-controlled food regimen, exercised usually, and took naltrexone and bupropion for a yr misplaced a median of ~11-to-22 kilos.

Naltrexone Bupropion Aspect Results: Naltrexone and bupropion could enhance coronary heart price and blood stress and trigger nausea, constipation, headache, vomiting, dizziness, and insomnia.

7. Tirzepatide

What Is Tirzepatide?: Tirzepatide is an injectable remedy for treating sort 2 diabetes and weight problems marketed beneath the model title Mounjaro.

How Does Tirzepatide Work?: Tirzepatide works by mimicking the results of each GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), two hormones that play a job in managing blood sugar ranges, the velocity meals travels via your digestive system, and urge for food. 

Does Tirzepatide Work: Early analysis has proven promising outcomes for tirzepatide. In a single study revealed in The New England Journal of Medication, dieters took both a small, reasonable, or massive dose of tirzepatide or a placebo as soon as weekly for 72 weeks.

On the finish of the research, those that took the small dose misplaced a median of 15% of physique weight, those that took the reasonable dose misplaced ~20%, and those that took the massive dose misplaced ~21% of physique weight. Conversely, on common, those that took the placebo misplaced ~3% of physique weight. 

Tirzepatide Aspect Results: Tirzepatide generally causes gastrointestinal disturbances, together with nausea, diarrhea, and constipation.

FAQ #1: What are the finest over-the-counter weight reduction drugs?

Research present that when paired with an appropriate food regimen and train program geared toward fats loss, Alli weight reduction drugs could be extremely useful.

(For a food regimen and train program that successfully aids fats loss, try my health books for women and men, Greater Leaner Stronger or Thinner Leaner Stronger.)

FAQ #2: How efficient are weight reduction drugs?

All the load loss drugs talked about above successfully contribute to weight reduction. Nonetheless, to maximise their advantages, you should additionally comply with a food regimen and train program designed to advertise fats loss. 

FAQ #3: Are weight reduction drugs lined by insurance coverage?

Some insurance coverage cowl weight reduction drugs.

Contact your insurance coverage supplier to find out in case your plan contains these drugs.

FAQ #4: What’s the finest injection for weight reduction?

Among the many GLP-1 agonists (usually generally known as “weight reduction injections”), liraglutide (Saxenda) and semaglutide (Wegovy) have obtained approval to be used as weight reduction drugs.

Each are self-administered injections, with liraglutide taken every day and semaglutide as soon as weekly.

Different GLP-1 agonists for managing sort 2 diabetes are often prescribed off-label for weight management. These embody:

• Semaglutide (Ozempic or Rybelsus)
• Dulaglutide (Trulicity)
• Liraglutide (Victoza)
• Exenatide (Byetta)
• Exenatide extended-release (Bydureon BCise)
• Tirzepatide (Mounjaro).

FAQ #5: Will I regain weight after I cease taking my weight reduction remedy?

Most individuals can count on some extent of weight regain after discontinuing their weight reduction remedy.

Adopting and sustaining wholesome consuming behaviors and rising bodily exercise can restrict the load you regain or assist maintain your weight reduction.

To study what number of energy it’s best to eat to proceed to shed some pounds and restrict weight regain, try this text:

How Many Energy Ought to I Eat?

If you happen to’d like much more particular recommendation about what number of energy, how a lot of every macronutrient, and which meals it’s best to eat to achieve your well being and health objectives, take the Legion Eating regimen Quiz, and in lower than a minute, you’ll know precisely what food regimen is best for you. Click on right here to test it out.

And to learn to train to enhance or keep your physique composition, try this text:

The Greatest Technique to Lose Weight Quick with Train