Strongest Diet Pills You Can Get Over the Counter

Key Takeaways

Currently, the only FDA-approved over-the-counter weight loss pill is orlistat (Alli). Studies found that 6 months of orlistat use can result in an average weight loss of 5.6 kilograms (kg) compared to 2.4 kg from placebo use.
Similar to other weight loss medications, orlistat should be used in combination with a healthy diet and exercise for maximum benefits.
Although orlistat (Alli) is an over-the-counter weight loss pill, you should check with your doctor before taking it even if you don’t have any underlying health conditions.

Many prescription weight loss medications can help you lose weight along with a healthy lifestyle consisting of a low-fat diet and increased physical activity. However, not everyone qualifies for a prescription weight loss medication.

While some people may be able to lose weight naturally with diet and exercise alone, many people aren't able to do this. A trial run with over-the-counter (OTC) weight loss products may be a promising approach for you before committing to prescription weight loss drugs.

Your healthcare provider can discuss the risks and benefits of OTC weight loss supplements such as Alli (orlistat) along with healthy daily habits for your weight loss journey and overall health.

Please keep reading to find out which are some of the strongest OTC weight loss pills.

What is the most effective weight loss pill over the counter?

The only over-the-counter weight loss pill that is currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is orlistat (Alli).

Alli contains 60 milligrams (mg) of orlistat per capsule. This medication helps in losing weight by reducing the absorption of up to 25% of fat from food. Orlistat does not act systemically. Instead, orlistat exerts its effects in the small intestines where the amount of dietary fat is decreased. This means orlistat helps reduce excess weight by interfering with the process of fat absorption in the body.

Taking orlistat can result in significant weight loss. According to study findings, 6 months of orlistat use can result in an average weight loss of 5.6 kilograms (kg) compared to 2.4 kg from placebo use.

Besides weight loss, Alli (orlistat) is found to also significantly reduce body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, total cholesterol, and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels.

This medication works best when used with other weight loss efforts, such as a balanced diet that is low in calories and regular exercise.

Who can take OTC orlistat for weight management?

Overweight or obese adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg/m2 or higher can take orlistat (Alli), an OTC weight loss product that does not require a doctor’s prescription.

The recommended dose is 1 capsule with each fat-containing meal. The maximum dose is 3 capsules in 24 hours.

Orlistat can reduce the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, K, and beta-carotene. Therefore, it is a good idea to supplement with a daily multivitamin while on this medicine for weight management.

Although orlistat (Alli) is an over-the-counter weight loss pill, check with your doctor before taking it, even if you don’t have any underlying health conditions.

Your doctor can provide guidance regarding medications and lifestyle interventions to prevent unwanted adverse effects with the most optimal weight loss.

Specifically, you should not take orlistat if you have had an organ transplant and are taking immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclosporine to prevent rejection. Learn more about what cyclosporine is used for.

Also, do not take orlistat without checking with your doctor first if you have conditions affecting the digestive tract, gallbladder problems, pancreatitis, kidney stones, diabetes, thyroid conditions, eating disorders, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Additionally, check with your healthcare professional before starting orlistat if you are taking other medications such as anticoagulants (blood thinners), heart medicines, diabetes medications, thyroid medicines, medications used to treat high blood pressure, anti-seizure drugs, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) medicines, or other OTC weight loss pills and herbal supplements.

There are reports of liver injury on orlistat. Stop taking orlistat and call your doctor without delay if you develop stomach pain, nausea, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or pale stools.

Seek emergency medical attention if you develop signs of an allergic reaction with skin rash, hives, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.

What are the side effects of orlistat?

Orlistat prevents the absorption of dietary fat and results in the elimination of the unabsorbed fat in stool.

Therefore, side effects of orlistat include oily or fatty stool, leakage of oily stool, fecal urgency, diarrhea, and an increased number of bowel movements.

This medicine can also cause rectal pain, stomach pain, headache, irregular menstrual periods, and anxiety.

What is the strongest weight loss tablet?

The following weight loss pills are FDA-approved. However, they are available only with a doctor’s prescription (you cannot purchase them over the counter).

They are used to treat severe obesity (BMI 30 or above) or excess weight (BMI 27 or above) with at least one weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes.

Prescription-strength orlistat (Xenical) 120 mg
Phentermine (Adipex-P, Lomaira)
Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia)
Naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave)

The following injectable medications are also FDA-approved prescription weight loss medications.

They were originally developed to regulate blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

These drugs are injected subcutaneously (under the skin) once a week and help to suppress appetite by delaying gastric emptying and increasing feelings of fullness.

Liraglutide (Saxenda)
Semaglutide (Wegovy) Learn about Wegovy’s uses and side effects.
Tirzepatide (Zepbound) Learn about tirzepatide for weight loss.

Check out our blog to find out how prescription weight loss medications work.

What OTC is similar to phentermine?

Phentermine is an FDA-approved appetite suppressant that can be taken for 3-6 weeks by overweight or obese people to speed up weight loss.

One of the top-rated phentermine alternatives is an OTC dietary supplement called PhenQ. Learn about phentermine side effects.

It claims to help in treating obesity by suppressing appetite, speeding up the calorie-burning process, boosting energy levels, and altering fat metabolism (increasing fat burning and preventing fat accumulation in the body).

In addition, there is a plethora of OTC weight loss supplements that claim to be similar to phentermine, promoting weight loss and boosting metabolism. While some of these OTC supplements can be effective with minimal side effects, there is not enough data to establish their efficacy and safety profile.

You should always check with your doctor before taking any of the OTC weight loss products.

Check out our blog to learn: is phentermine a safe weight loss treatment?

What are the risks of taking OTC weight loss supplements?

Over-the-counter weight loss supplements are not regulated by the FDA. There is no strong scientific evidence supporting their health benefits or effectiveness in achieving meaningful weight loss.

If you want to take a supplement to lose weight faster, check with your healthcare professional first.

While a weight loss supplement may help with sustained weight management, it can also cause side effects and health problems. Some natural supplements can interact with your other prescription medications and OTC products and put you at risk of serious health complications.

It’s also worth noting that weight regain is common after stopping weight loss pills and supplements.

Your best bet for shedding pounds naturally and enjoying overall health benefits is to reduce caloric intake, avoid unhealthy foods, and get regular exercise.

This form of natural weight reduction will help burn calories, burn fat, get rid of excess pounds, increase muscle mass and reduce body fat, boost energy levels, support weight loss, and help you reach a healthy weight.

If lifestyle interventions are not enough, talk with your doctor about prescription drug treatment with anti-obesity medications. These medications work by causing appetite suppression and reducing caloric intake so that you can reach your weight loss goals.

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