Weight Loss Pills: Facts vs. Myth

Are you frustrated with being overweight? Being obese can be a difficult emotion to deal with, and conventional diet plans and exercises might seem hard. So, many people like you tend to seek a solution in medications, a magic pill that can reduce weight without effort. But do they work? Is there any side effect? Let’s dive deep into the truth behind the weight loss pills.

Hese Weight Loss Pills Can Be Organized Into Three Categories. They Are:

• Medical Devices: These are weight loss supplements with words like ‘Fat Binder’ and ‘Carb Blocker’ written in the labels. They work by binding to the food molecules, thus preventing its digestion.
• Food Supplements: They mainly suppress one’s appetite with caffeine or caffeine derivatives such as green coffee extract, guarana, and cocoa bean extract.

Medical Drugs: There are drugs like Orlistat that can be prescribed by a doctor. They are also known as prescription weight loss pills. They work by inhibiting an enzyme called lipase responsible for the digestion of fats in the food.

Fda Approved Weight Loss Pills And Their Effectiveness

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved five drugs for weight loss. Details of the drugs are given below:

Name: Orlistat (Xenical)

Approved for: Adults, children ages 12 and older

How it works: Works in our gut to reduce the amount of fat our body absorbs from the food we eat.

Effectiveness: According to a review of 11 studies, orlistat can increase weight loss by 2.7 KG (6 Pounds) compared to placebo (Source).

Side Effects: Stomach pain, Diarrhea, Gas.

Name: Lorcaserin (Belviq)

Approved for: Adults

How it works: Acts on the serotonin receptors in our brain. May help us feel full after eating smaller amounts of food.

Effectiveness: According to a clinical trial data by Arena to the FDA, those who took Belviq lost 5% of their starting weight or an average of 12 Pounds, over a year compared to 23% of those who took dummy pills or placebo.

Side effects: Nausea, Headaches, Feeling tired, Dry mouth, Dizziness, Cough, Constipation.

Note: [This one has withdrawn from the market in February 2020]

Name: Phentermine-Topiramate (Qsymia)

Approved for: Adults

How it works: A mix of two medications: phentermine, which lessens our appetite, and topiramate, which is used to treat seizures or migraine headaches. May make us less hungry or feel full sooner.

Effectiveness: It is reported that people lose 8.8 KG (19.4 Pounds) in a year on average. (Source)

Side effects: Constipation, dizziness, dry mouth, taste changes, especially with carbonated beverages, tingling of your hands and feet, trouble sleeping.

Name: Naltrexone-Bupropion (Contrave)

Approved for: Adults

How it works: A mix of two medications: naltrexone, which is used to treat alcohol and drug dependence, and bupropion, which is used to treat depression or help people quit smoking. May make us feel less hungry or full sooner.

Effectiveness: According to a study, Contrave can reduce initial weight by 5-10 % over a year compared to placebo. (Source)

Side effects: Constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, headache, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, insomnia, liver damage, nausea, and vomiting.

Name: Liraglutide (Saxenda)

Approved for: Adults

How it works: May make us feel less hungry or full sooner. 

Effectiveness:  According to a study, Saxenda can reduce initial weight by over 5% in a year compared to a placebo. (Source)

Side effects: nausea, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, raised heart rate.

NOTE: [Only available for injection]

Horrible Facts Behind Weight Loss Pills

Now let’s take a look at some facts about these so-called magical weight loss pills.

Most Of The Weight Loss Pills Are Not Regulated

Most diet pills are advertised in mid-night TV shows, some pharmacies, and spam emails. It’s because the government doesn’t regulate them. Most of them are classified as “Diet Supplements” instead of drugs. That means manufacturers do not have to prove safety and effectiveness to Food and Drug Administrations. These Pills may contain ingredients that are banned by the Food and Drug Administration. 

An article published in “Journal of the American Pharmacists Association” stated that 51 weight loss supplement products from retail stores were found with banned or discouraged-use substances listed on their labels. At least one banned ingredient was listed on the product labels in 17 of the 51 studied supplements (33%). At least one discouraged-use component was found in 46 of the 51 products (90%).

Side Effects

Most Diet Pills May Have Side Effects Ranging From Mild To Severe. Some Of Them Are:

1. Increased blood pressure and heart rate
2. Headache
3. Pregnancy Problems
4. The increased suicidal tendency in some people
5. Nervousness

But these side effects could be the tip of the icebergs. “There have been increasing reports of death in people who consume unregulated diet supplements bought online in recent years, and this doesn’t appear to be slowing down,” observes Arti Dhokia, specialist mental health dietician at The Priory’s Woodbourne Hospital in Birmingham.

False Claims

There are supplements out there claiming to change one’s body composition by suppressing hormones. But this claim doesn’t have sufficient evidence. Even if it is true, changing body composition can be harmful.

In 2008, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sued a business operation for violating federal law by falsely claiming that its weight-loss pills cause users to slim down without dieting or exercise. According to the FTC’s complaint, since 2005, the defendants have marketed their product throughout the nation under Zyladex Plus, Questral AC, Questral AC Fat Killer Plus, Rapid Loss 245, and Rapid Loss Rx. Their advertising, which has included statements like “Lose up to fifteen pounds per week,” “Not Even Total Starvation Can Slim You Down and Firm You Up This Fast – This Safe!,” and “No Dieting, No Exercise,” has appeared in Sunday newspaper supplements, including SmartSource by News America Marketing FSI, Inc. (Source)

Popular Myths Surrounding Weight Loss Pills

• The pills do all the work: This is a prevalent belief that is false. No pill will magically reduce your weight. People must have a reasonably healthy diet and some form of physical activity besides using these pills.

• These are short-term medications: Many people believe that weight loss pills can give results within one or two months. This is not true either. Instead, these are long-term medications like insulin for diabetics. They will only work if taken consistently.

• There is no side effect in natural weight-loss supplements: Dr. Cooperman says, “Not true. If a supplement, even a natural one, can cause an effect, chances are it can cause a side effect”.

• If a weight loss pill/supplement is found in a store, then it is safe:  People think that if a product is marketed to be sold in a store, it is safe because the government wouldn’t allow it without a safety check. But unfortunately, this is not the reality for dietary supplements.

Is There Any “safest Weight Loss Pill”? Can Any Of Them Be Considered?

Reality can be a bit harsh. But weight loss pills may not be the answer to being overweight. Losing weight is not an easy or quick process. It doesn’t require interfering with how one’s gut processes fats or tricking the brain in thinking that you have eaten a full meal. Moreover, by taking these drugs, you are putting yourself in danger.

So, the real solution to overweight is regular exercise and a healthy, balanced diet. Please refer to our article “10 easy steps to weight loss” for easy tips on weight loss.