Anti Obesity Medication Over the Counter – OTC In Store and Online

Anti-obesity pills and medication is widely available. If you are considered morbidly obese your may prescribe diet pills. If you are borderline obese but very overweight then the over-the-counter (OTC) route is your only option.

Anti Obesity Pills OTC

Anti Obesity Pills and Medication

Obesity levels have trebled in the last 30 years. One in four adults is obese and figures provided by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation suggest Britain has become the “fat man” of Europe.

In the United States is it suggested that 42% of American citizens are obese and over 70% of adults 20 years old and over are considered overweight!

This “growing” trend appears to be destined to continue, and estimates indicate over half of the adult population in the western world may be obese by the year 2050.

The situation is getting out of control, but patients who seek assistance from their doctors are rarely prescribed weight loss providing drugs (anti obesity medication) and, for those who are, the choice is usually limited to Orlistat (a fat blocker) or Phentermine (appetite suppressant).

Not surprisingly many people who are desperate to try and get their weight under control go in search of non-prescription diet pills and supplements that can be purchased easily over-the-counter or online. But with so many choices available choosing the right type of supplement can be a daunting task.

Most of the popular supplements brands usually fall into one or more of the following groups:

  1. Appetite Suppressants Help the user to feel less hungry and eat less food.
  2. Fat Blockers Nullify the power of the digestive enzymes that would normally breakdown dietary fats.
  3. Fat Binders Bond with dietary fats and make them indigestible.
  4. Carb Blockers Counteract the abilities of the digestive enzymes that are necessary for processing carbs (the body’s main calorie provider).
  5. Fat Burners Speed up the metabolism and encourage the burning of body fat.

Supplements that provide any of the first four methods on the list can assist weight loss by helping to lower the amount of calories the body receives each day, and all four types of dietary aid are available as standalone supplements.

However, supplements that combine appetite suppression with fat burning are probably the most common type of non-prescription diet pill in use today.

Other combinations are available though, and some products combine all five benefits in an effort to target the problem (body fat) from all sides.

Which Anti Obesity Pills are Best?

Appetite suppressants 

Can benefit dieters of all types, but they can be particularly useful for people who find it hard to cut down on their food portion sizes or fight the habit to snack between meals.

Fat Blockers and Fat Binders

 This type of anti obesity pills come into their own when the reason for weight gain can be traced to a love of fatty foods.

Each gram of fat provides nine calories. This is more than twice the amount of calories provided by protein or carbohydrates, so people who eat too much fatty food can pile on the pounds very quickly and will continue to do so unless changes are made.

Fat blockers and fat binders can offer a good level of protection against the figure-damaging effects of fatty foods, but should never be seen as a cheat-pill or an alternative to healthy living options.

Carb Blockers 

These pills for obesity are beneficial for people who eat too many starchy foods such as potatoes, rice, pasta, and bread.

Once again, there is a danger of misuse because some people may see carb blockers as a get out of jail free card that allows them to eat the foods they love without paying the price.

This is an unhealthy attitude and potential carb blocker users would do well to bear in mind any benefits that are received can be greatly improved when supplementation is combined with a low calorie diet and regular exercise.

Fat Burners 

These pills are great for anyone who is seriously overweight and are designed to help the body to burn its stores of fat.

All dieters hope to achieve such a result, so a good fat burning formulation can help dieters of all kinds. But once again making the necessary changes to the diet and increasing levels of exercise are key too dieting success because even if the body is burning more calories than normal, weight loss will not occur if the diet continues to provide too many calories.

If the normal diet provides 100 extra calories per day and the fat burner helps to burn away half of them the body will still be receiving 50 calories more than it needs.

Choosing the Right Anti Obesity Pills

An anti obesity supplement that works well for one person may be totally unsuitable for the next, but most experts agree supplements that tackle weight loss from multiple angles tend to offer the best chance of success.

They are also the most appropriate choice for anyone who has failed to identify the dietary failings that contributed to the original weight gain and/or are thwarting any existing attempts to lose weight.

It is also important to only purchase non-prescription diet pills and supplements from reputable manufacturers that produce their supplements to high quality standards, preferably in GMP or FDA approved facilities.

A good level of positive customer feedback can also indicate a quality product and, if a guarantee is offered, it shows the manufacturer has faith in their product.

It also ensures there is nothing to lose by buying and trying the product. Some non-prescription diet pills have more to offer than their prescription-only counterparts, but the decision to buy should never be made in ignorance.

What Anti Obesity Pills are Available on Prescription

Xenical (orlistat) is a prescription only medication that can block some of the fat contained in food and prevent it from releasing the calories locked inside.

This is a useful ability because every gram of fat contains 9 calories. That’s over twice as many as protein or carbohydrates, both of which supply just 4 calories per gram. This notable difference illustrates why a diet that is rich in fatty foods is so unhealthy and helps to pile on the pounds.

Doctors generally only prescribe Xenical to obese patients who have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher. When patients have reached such a state of obesity their condition can limit their lives in many ways and endanger the health.

When used in conjunction with healthy eating habits, Xenical can be very effective for providing quick and efficient weight loss, but use of the drug can also entail nasty side effects. This is, of course, the reason for its prescription only status.

Phentermine the appetite suppressing diet pill that is most commonly prescribed by doctors. Adipex is a popular brand in the USA while Duromine is an Australian phentermine brand.

There are several Phentermine alternatives-over-the-counter available with PhenQ being arguably the best of the bunch.

PhenQ is now available to buy a pharmacy grade diet pill that is available to buy without prescription direct from the official website.

PhenQ can block dietary fat and also burn existing body fat while suppressing appetite – it is a truly unique multi faceted slimming product. It is safe to use and does nit cause side effects.

PhenQ comes with a 60 day guarantee and free worldwide shipping

Xenical Health Considerations & Side Effects

Xenical is not a suitable weight loss option for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It can also aggravate gallbladder problems.

The prescribing doctor will probably have a sufficient knowledge of their patient’s condition to make an informed decision, but it is important that potential Xenical users make sure their doctor is aware of any health problems they have, so the doctor can make an informed decision when deciding whether to prescribe the drug.

Unfortunately Xenical has a darker side. Its use has been linked to numerous side effects including:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Swelling of the face, lips, and throat
  • Pain or blood while urinating
  • Swollen ankles
  • Feelings of fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Stomach pains
  • Kidney-related problems

However the worst side effects experienced by some users may be nothing more than the greasy stools that are part and parcel of the fat blocking process.

It is also important to remember Xenical is intended to be used alongside a diet that is low in fat. Anyone who attempts to continue eating a high fat diet while using the drug could get a nasty surprise. The fat has been blocked from digestion has to be passed with the stool and can travel fast, so eating a lot of fat can have very unpleasant results.

Dietary Imbalances

Apart from preventing the absorption of dietary fats, Xenical also interferes with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and beta carotene, leading to dietary imbalances. For this reason, the prescribing doctor may suggest the use of a good multi-vitamin, taken at least two hours either side of the time the supplement was consumed.

Diet & Exercise

Doctors always stress the importance of a low calorie diet when using Xenical and may, if their patient’s health status permits it, suggest an increase in physical activity (exercise).

Typical Dosage

The typical dose is 120 mg and should be taken three times each day with every meal that contains fat. The capsules are usually taken before eating meals, but it is permissible to take them during the meal or up to 60 minutes after it has been finished.

Effectivity

Xenical has been tested under clinical conditions and has been proven to be an excellent weight loss facilitator when used in the recommended manner and combined with sensible eating choices.

After one study, that took place over the period of a year, the volunteers who used Xenical alongside their low calorie diet lost over twice as much weight as those who were told to use the diet alone (approximately 13.4 lbs V 5.8 lbs).

Key Points

  • Xenical is a prescription only medication that helps people to lower their calorie intake and lose weight.
  • It helps people to lose weight by limiting the amount of fat their body can digest from food.
  • The pill is eaten at mealtimes, but will not be required if the food contains no fat.
  • Xenical must be used with a low fat diet. Trying to continue eating fatty food while taking the pills is not to be recommended.
  • The drug is not suitable for everyone and doctors only prescribe it to people who have a BMI of 30+.
  • Xenical can cause nasty side effects.
  • Clinical trials have proven the formulation is an effective weight loss provider when used in conjunction with a low fat diet.
About Eloise Bel

Eloise Bel (Certified Holistic Nutritionist & B.A. in Communications) Eloise is an experienced journalist with a strong grounding in holistic nutrition. She has an in-depth knowledge of the supplement industry and has been specializing in the weight loss sector since 2008. LinkedIn