If you are looking to lose weight, appetite suppressants may be a good choice for you. These medications can help you control your weight and keep it at a healthy level.

You should talk to a doctor before taking any medication or supplement to lose weight.

What is an appetite suppressant?

An appetite suppressant is a pill or capsule that suppresses the appetite of a person. The pills often contain stimulants that stimulate the central nervous system.

These drugs work on the brain by stimulating the hypothalamus gland that controls the appetite. This causes the release of endorphins into the bloodstream, which makes the person feel full and satisfied with less food intake.

You need to examine your body condition for finding the right and best appetite suppressant pills. As a reason, these supplements act different on every human body. you can also consult with professionals so that they will guide you that which is the right supplement as per your weight loss process. Sometimes, excessive consumption will affect the brain cells and suppress the appetite. 

The effects of these medicines last up to four hours after taking them.

How do they work?

Appetite suppressants work in two ways:

1. By affecting the brain’s reward center. They cause the release of endorphins into the bloodstream that gives the person feelings of euphoria, well-being, and energy. This makes the person feel full and satisfied.
2. By suppressing the appetite. They interfere with the way the body processes information from the brain. This affects how hungry the person feels and how much he eats.

There are different types of appetite suppressants out there. Some are over-the-counter medications while others require a prescription. Let us look at some of the most popular ones.

Propranolol

Propranolol, also known as Inderal, is one of the most common appetite suppressants. It belongs to the class of beta blockers. It acts on the beta receptors in the brain, which regulates the activity of various hormones such as adrenaline, norepinephrine, and dopamine.

This means that propranolol decreases the heart rate, blood pressure, and reduces anxiety. Propranolol has been around since 1961 but its popularity grew in 1980s due to its effectiveness in treating high blood pressure (hypertension).

It was approved by the FDA in 1987 for use as a treatment for obesity. However, it has not been proven effective for long term weight loss.

Some studies have shown that propranolol reduces hunger and helps people eat fewer calories than before they started using the drug. But other research suggests that it does not affect the amount of calories a person burns during physical activities. So, it is not clear whether propranolol will help you burn more calories or decrease the number of calories you consume.

Orlistat

Orlistat, also known as Xenical, is another popular appetite suppressant. Orlistat works by preventing absorption of fat through the intestine. This means that it blocks the action of pancreatic enzymes that break down dietary fats. Orlistat is taken orally, like other appetite suppressants. It was first introduced in 1996 and is available only in prescription form. There are many side effects associated with this medicine such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Orlistat has not been shown to cause diabetes.

In 2003, the FDA approved the drug for long term use for weight management. A few years later, the FDA added it to their list of “not recommended for use as a primary therapy for obesity.”

Lorcaserin

Lorcaserin is a selective serotonin receptor agonist used to treat type 2 diabetes. It is manufactured by Sanofi and marketed under the name Juvisync. Lorcaserin is a newer appetite suppressant that seems to work differently than older ones. Lorcaserin increases levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is responsible for controlling emotions and regulating eating habits. Thus, lorcaserin suppresses appetite.

Research shows that this medication has a positive effect on the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats. It lowers insulin resistance and improves glucose tolerance. In addition, it helps to reduce the risk of developing diabetes. However, the results of clinical trials published until 2014 show that lorcaserin had no significant impact on weight reduction in obese patients.

Rimonabant

Rimonabant is a cannabinoid that was developed by Sanofi and AstraZeneca. Rimonabant reduces appetite by blocking CB1 receptors in the brain. It is approved by the FDA for short-term use only. It is not recommended for long-term use because of the serious psychiatric side effects that were reported in early clinical trials. These include depression, suicidal thoughts, and mania. The drug was withdrawn from the market in 2004.

Sibutramine

Sibutramine is an anorectic agent that belongs to the family of noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors. Sibutramine inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine in the synapse between neurons. Norepinephrine is released when the body experiences stress. When norepinephrine reaches the presynaptic neuron, it binds to specific receptors that trigger the release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine.

When sibutramine enters the neuron, it binds to and blocks the reuptake site for norepinephrine. This prevents the reuptake of norepinephrine, which leads to the activation of postsynaptic neurons. The result is increased levels of serotonin and dopamine in the synapse between neurons, which stimulates appetite suppression.