Appetite suppressants in the form of pills or powders can help fight obesity to some extent. This article provides information regarding some of these drugs that are approved by the FDA.
Obesity is fast reaching epidemic levels with almost at least 300 million of the population being obese. Among the varied options to tackle obesity, appetite suppressant pills or powders are the most popular. As the name suggests, the primary function of this pill or powder is to suppress hunger or appetite which will lead to lesser calorie consumption. However, a person should choose the pill/powder wisely as many of them have side effects and are not approved by the FDA. Such suppressants are also known as anorectic or anorexigenic medications, and most of them are prescription drugs.
The following table provides an overview of appetite suppressant drugs which are approved by the FDA:
| Generic Name | Trade Name | Description | Side Effects | Word of Caution |
| Orlistat | Xenical (prescription drug), Alli (OTC drug) | Orlistat blocks an enzyme called lipase, which is responsible for the digestion of fat. This helps curb the absorption of fat in the body. | Mild: stomach pain, gas, diarrhea, and oily stool
Severe: Liver injury, indicated by symptoms such dark urine, itching, light-colored stools, yellow eyes or skin, and loss of appetite |
Not to be taken with cyclosporine |
| Phentermine-topiramate | Qsymia | Qsymia is a combination of two drugs: phentermine and topiramate. The former is used to curb your desire to eat while the latter is used to control seizures. | Mild: Tingling sensation in hands and feet, dizziness, disturbed sleep, constipation, and dry mouth Severe: rash, hives, breathing difficulties, suicidal thoughts, memory problems, emotional imbalances (anxiety, depression, panic attacks), and vision problems |
Not be used by pregnant women and people with an overactive thyroid gland, glaucoma, and those taking certain antidepressant drugs |
| Lorcaserin | Belviq | Belviq helps suppress your appetite by affecting the chemicals in your brain. This makes you consume less food since you feel that your stomach is full. | Mild: headaches, dizziness, feeling tired, nausea, dry mouth, cough, and constipation
Severe: serotonin syndrome |
Not to be taken by pregnant women or those trying to conceive |
| Phendimetrazine | Adipost, Bontril PDM, Bontril Slow Release, Melfiat | These drugs control the appetite by making the brain realize that your stomach is full. | Mild: dry mouth, sleeping difficulties, dizziness, headache, nervousness, restlessness, upset stomach, and diarrhea or constipation Severe: chest pain, fainting, palpitation, breathlessness, confusion, and swollen ankles or feet |
Not to be used for more than 12 weeks |
| Diethylpropion | Tenuate, Tenuate Dospan | |||
| Benzphetamine | Didrex | |||
| Phentermine | Adipex-P, Oby-Cap, Suprenza, T-Diet, Zantryl |
People with certain conditions such as heart disorders, hypertension, thyroid problems, or glaucoma should strictly avoid using these drugs.
These drugs can be used quite successfully, especially under the guidance of a physician. The dosage of such suppressants, when controlled, provides excellent results. The use of these drugs is regulated by the government because of their potential for abuse.
Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.