Are Appetite Suppressants Safe and Do They Really Work?

If you’re struggling to lose weight, you’re not alone. Up to 42% of Americans want to lose weight, but few report finding success with their own efforts, according to a recent study. And despite the number of people who want to lose weight, Americans are getting heavier.

If you’re one of them, we have a possible option: appetite suppressants. But are these drugs safe? Our providers at eleven19 Medical Spa + Weight Loss explain how appetite suppressants work and answer the question about their safety.

What is medical weight loss?

Weight loss is often presented as a black-and-white issue: If you just eat less and exercise more, you’ll lose weight. But weight loss is sometimes more complicated than that. You can eat less and exercise more and still not lose much weight.

That’s where medical weight loss comes in. At eleven19, we can help to boost your weight loss efforts with such aids as appetite suppressants, supplements, nutrition counseling, and injections, based on your individual situation.

The safety of appetite suppressants

In the past, some appetite suppressants had to be removed from the market because they weren’t safe.

But today’s appetite suppressants are approved by the Food and Drug Administration and have been on the market for several years. We don’t prescribe them to everyone who requests them, though. 

We take your body mass index (BMI) into account, and you generally have to have a health-related condition caused by obesity, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or prediabetes.

Often, these conditions are reversible if you lose even a little bit of weight.

The effectiveness of appetite suppressants

Appetite suppressants work by making you feel less hungry. Most people can expect to lose at least 5% of their body weight. 

When you take the medications, you will generally find that you feel less hungry and, therefore, don’t eat as much. Sometimes, you may need additional supplements to maximize your weight loss.

Some people may have side effects from appetite suppressants, including:

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Insomnia
• Increased blood pressure
• Fatigue
• Dry mouth

Most of these symptoms are temporary, but let us know if you have these or other side effects.

If you need to lose weight and are having trouble doing so on your own, look into your options for medical weight loss. Contact us at eleven19 Medical Spa + Weight Loss. We have three Southern California locations to serve you, in Santa Ana, Fullerton, and Ontario.