Best Natural Phentermine Over The Counter Alternatives 2024

Many weight loss supplements are available, claiming to be the best alternative to phentermine. However, only a few are effective in helping you to lose weight.
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Are you sick of trying to lose weight and having very little luck? Do you know why this has been happening? It’s because that diet and exercise don’t work the same for everyone. Diets and workout routines are great to have in your life; however, you should also take an OTC healthy supplement. We recommend taking over-the-counter supplements that are like phentermine.

Weight loss supplements are a big business; last year, the industry generated more than $255 billion. There are so many products to choose from on the market. However, the problem with this is most of them are ineffective or claim to give you achievable results, leaving you feeling frustrated and depressed.

Despite this, there is enough evidence suggesting that weight loss supplements can help you get into shape and boost your performance when working out. As we stated above, weight loss supplements are a vast business filled with scams that you need to watch out for. However, Phentermine is the one product you should take seriously.

Phentermine is an appetite suppressant created in the 1950s and has been known as the best diet pill ever since. While this is a restricted product, only available by prescription because it may have adverse side effects if you don’t use it correctly. Because of this, many people have started using natural phentermine OTC alternatives.

Before doctors knew the side effects and addictive nature, doctors frequently recommended phentermine for obese patients struggling to lose weight. However, once the side effects became known, it lost its popularity as a prescription weight loss medication. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned doctors before prescribing the medication to weigh the benefits against the risk factors [1].

With all of the weight loss alternatives available have led to a decline in Phentermine prescriptions. Today, doctors only prescribe this to severely obese patients with other health-related issues and only under strict medical supervision.

Best Natural Phentermine Over The Counter Alternatives 2022

Best Natural Phentermine Over The Counter Alternatives 2022 – Image/Wellness Digest

 

What is Phentermine?

Phentermine is an FDA-approved prescription medication used to treat obesity and is only available with a prescription. These diest pills are sold under a variety of generic brand names, the most common being Adipex, Duromine, and Acxion Fentermina. The most common dosage prescribed is 37.5mg. However, you may see it written as Phentermine 375 or Phen375.

Phentermine is similar to amphetamine and is a schedule IV controlled substance due to its potential for abuse. Phentermine activates the stress response and puts you into fight or flight, decreasing your appetite and raising your heart rate and blood pressure.

Unlike Phentermine, the OTC versions are safer because they don’t trigger the flight or fight response [2] or raise blood pressure. All it does is help to increase your energy and cut down hunger and food cravings. Otc phentermine alternatives also don’t give you the side effects that the prescription strength does, such as –

  • Headaches
  • Chest pains
  • Fatigue
  • Confusion
  • Breathing difficulty

Prescription-strength phentermine can also unnecessarily strain the heart and cardiovascular system. The stress response is supposed to be a short-term condition, and phentermine places the body in fight or flight for hours. That’s a long time of higher than normal blood pressure, faster heart rate, and reduced blood flow.

The drug’s primary use is as an appetite suppressant to aid in weight loss and is available only by a prescription. However, you can still buy and take over-the-counter phentermine supplements if you don’t have a BMI of 30 or above.

A study conducted in January 2022 [3] suggests that Phentermine- topiramate ER may work for the treatment of obesity and sleep-related eating disorders. The diet supplement is also the most prescribed weight loss medication in the United States. It is also one of the most sought after because of its proven results; however, in order to use this medication, you have to be extremely obese, and very few people meet this qualification.

 

Why is Appetite Suppression Essential to Weight Loss?

Along with fat burners, Appetite suppression [4] is essential to weight loss. When you’re trying to lose weight, hunger and cravings can make it twice as hard, especially when you want to avoid the misery of hunger pain. When you’re hungry, your attention is constantly drawn to that feeling making it challenging to focus on anything else. Many dieters can’t stand this feeling and simply give up, seeing it as a constant fight they can’t win. By controlling hunger, appetite suppressants support existing efforts to eat less and are used for support.

Appetite suppressants work by helping the stomach feel full and then trigger the system in the brain, indicating that no more food is needed. The brain then responds to this indication by canceling hunger urges. Natural appetite suppressants such as Glucomannan and nopal both work within the body, unlike phentermine which triggers the stress response forcing the body into a fight or flight stress response.

Believe it or not, Phentermine is not the miracle drug some people make it sound like; it’s still going to take time to lose your excess weight even with diet and exercise. However, the biggest threat of Phentermine is the thread of addiction and side effects.

Regardless, if you use a prescription or OTC type of diet pill, it’s not going to work if it’s not combined with diet and exercise. Even then, there are no guarantees it’ll work.

 

How Phentermine Vs. Other Weight Loss Supplements

While phentermine is an excellent way to lose weight, it is a one-dimensional weight loss medication that promotes fat burning by stimulating the CNS., and decreased appetite is a side effect of this. Phentermine OTC weight loss supplements are better because they work in partnership with a low-calorie diet to suppress your appetite and amplify fat burning.

Phentermine is not easy to buy, unlike natural weight-loss supplements. If you don’t have a prescription in the USA and most other countries, you can’t buy it. In some countries, phentermine diet pills aren’t available because of health risks. In other countries where phentermine is legal, obtaining a prescription is challenging.

Phentermine is only available in 15mg, 30mg, and 37.5mg versions; however, in 2016, the FDA did approve an 8mg tablet called Lomaira. All the high potency versions are taken once per day, an hour or two after breakfast. Lormaira can be taken up to three times a day, 30 minutes before meals.

Phentermine is not approved for long-term use. The maximum amount of time you can use it is just 12 weeks. Most people don’t even use it this long. If the doctor doesn’t notice a difference within the first few weeks, they stop prescribing it. The best natural suppressant ingredients offer long-term use if needed without any risk of addiction or side effects.

The addictive nature and harmful side effects of phentermine have caused an enormous market for safer weight loss supplements. And many supplement manufacturers have started catering to this market. Some of the options are very good, while others don’t work or live up to their promise of weight loss without any side effects.

Anyone who has thought of taking phentermine for weight loss has wondered if the alternatives are effective. Especially since thousands of products claim to do the same thing, and not all of them work. You need to look for OTC vitamins that help you lose weight safely and effectively.

Phentermine alternatives are safer because they have been tested for safety, and they aren’t phentermine but work the same. These safer alternatives can help lower body fat by up to 6% and increase metabolism. Plus, instead of triggering the fight or flight stress response, they increase satiety, causing your stomach to feel full for more extended periods of time.

 

Benefits of Using an OTC Phentermine Alternative

Phentermine alternatives provide more benefits and less harmful side effects than the drug. While all prescription-strength medications have some side effects, scheduled IV drugs like phentermine can also cause addiction and high blood pressure and put unneeded stress on your heart.

Phentermine OTC alternatives contain natural ingredients that provide a similar outcome to phentermine, but they don’t have harmful side effects. You need to talk to a doctor before adding it to your daily routine as with any supplement.

 

How Do Phentermine Alternative Supplements Work?

Most phentermine alternative supplements contain scientifically proven ingredients to help with weight loss. Most of these supplements contain caffeine or green tea extract, while others include Oleuropein and capsaicin. Additionally, most of them also include some type of appetite suppressant to combat hunger and food cravings.

Researchers have concluded that caffeine helps burn calories even at rest and lose weight; however, what isn’t known is how or why it works. In 2019 [5], researchers analyzed the relation between caffeine and weight loss and concluded that those who consumed caffeine lost 17% to 28% more weight and decreased BMI and fats than those who didn’t.

Capsaicin is another ingredient you may notice that most alternative phentermine supplements contain, so why is this? Capsaicin is an active ingredient that comes from cayenne pepper and is linked to weight loss. In 2017 a study suggested [6] that capsaicin is linked to improved health and its potential to help reduce weight.

Green tea extract is another proven ingredient that’s contained in most phentermine alternative supplements to help you lose weight. It does this because it contains caffeine, a stimulant that aids in weight loss [7]. An additional benefit of green tea extract is the number of antioxidants, which also help in weight loss by oxidating fat, increasing energy, reducing lipogenesis, and decreasing the absorption of carbohydrates and digestion.

 

Safe Ingredients to Look for in OTC Phentermine

Although there are a lot of natural ingredients that can suppress hunger and provide health benefits, some of them work better than others. Below is a list of a few backed by science for their weight-loss benefits.

Glucomannan

Glucomannan [8] is a natural water-soluble dietary fiber that comes from the roots of the elephant yam (konjac). This herb is used for many different things, including constipation, weight loss, type 2 diabetes, blood sugar control, and lowering cholesterol.

Glucomannan works by absorbing water to form a bulky fiber to help the individual feel full for more extended amounts of time. It may also slow down the absorption of sugar and cholesterol from the gut. Glucomannan supplements is best known for its weight loss properties.

Nopal

Nopal is a cactus extract and is one of the oldest forms of hunger remedies, and the amino acids contained in it help boost energy and decrease fatigue. In addition to helping with weight loss, it’s also well known for its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective benefits [9].

Cayenne

Capsaicin is a compound that’s contained in cayenne pepper, and this is what provides weight loss benefits. Research has shown that people who consume cayenne pepper [10] with meals have fewer cravings, increased metabolism, and burn more calories throughout the day. If you’re looking for a good OTC phentermine alternative, make sure this is one of the main ingredients.

Caffeine

Caffeine is a popular ingredient for diet pills that supports weight loss, increases energy, may help prevent weight regain, plus helps you to burn fat.

Chromium

Chromium is an essential trace mineral that occurs naturally in the body, and it helps regulate blood sugar levels. Protecting against blood sugar crashes helps decrease food cravings by keeping your sugar level from crashing.

A study published in PubMed [11] suggests that chromium may increase lean body mass and reduce body fat.

 

Things to Consider Before Buying OTC Diet Pills

Over-the-counter [12] weight loss supplements aren’t for everyone, and it’s easy to go overboard, so there are things that you should take into consideration before running out to buy something that may do more harm than good.

Allergies

Before purchasing any OTC product, look at the ingredients to make sure you’re not allergic to any of them. If you’re unsure, go to your doctor and ask for allergy testing. It may end up saving your life.

Ingredients

You must read the ingredients and know what you’re putting in your body. Every over-the-counter supplement must list its ingredients and dosages. You should check each one to make sure they are safe and have been tested. Buy GMO-Free products with all-natural ingredients because they will reduce the number of adverse side effects while still offering excellent results.

Customer Ratings

Customer ratings are essential when determining how well they work. Some brands will remove or censor negative or average rating products that are worth buying, won’t do this, and will instead respond to dissatisfied customers to find out what the problem was. If you can’t find any negative reviews, don’t waste your money. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Phentermine?

A: Phentermine is a weight loss supplement that’s only available by prescription and is meant to help individuals who are severely obese and haven’t been able to do so independently. It stimulates the stress response and puts you into a fight or flight to decrease your appetite.

Q: Is Phentermine Available Over-The-Counter?

A: No, Phentermine is only available by prescription. This is because it is a schedule IV medication and has a high probability of addiction and harmful side effects. If your doctor gives you a prescription for phentermine, then they will monitor your health closely.

Q: Does Phentermine Have Side Effects?

A: Yes, Phentermine does have side effects. You may experience high blood pressure, dizziness, dry mouth, nausea, irritability, mood changes, nervousness, increased heart rate, or vision changes. It can also have dangerous interactions with certain medications. Make sure to talk to your physician before taking any supplement.

Q: Does Over-the-Counter Phentermine Have Side Effects?

A: Typically, over-the-counter phentermine diet pills don’t have harmful side effects. However, some ingredients, such as caffeine, may lead to headaches and feeling jittery due to caffeine sensitivity.

Q: Can You Purchase Phentermine Online?

A: Yes; however, it’s illegal and dangerous to do so. There are no guarantees that what your getting online is phentermine or if it’s counterfeit. If you cannot get a prescription for phentermine, it’s better to stick to a natural alternative.

Q: What Is OTC Phentermine?

A: Phentermine OTC natural alternatives are weight loss supplements that do not contain phentermine and are safer without harmful side effects. Phentermine alternatives use natural ingredients to help increase energy, reduce appetite, and decrease fat production. Make sure to talk to your doctor before taking any supplements not prescribed by your doctor.

Q: Who Shouldn’t Take Phentermine Over-the-Counter?

A: Pregnant women, anyone under 18, or taking certain medications should not take diet pills. Some medicines can have adverse side effects, so you need to talk to your doctor before taking weight loss supplements.

Q: Are Phentermine Substitutes Expensive?

A: Prices for weight loss supplements can vary significantly. When looking for a diet pill, research each one for high-quality ingredients and not go by price alone. The most expensive doesn’t mean they are the best. Some companies offer specials for first-time buyers and discounts if you purchase more than one bottle.

 

Conclusion

Losing weight shouldn’t be stressful and impossible to obtain, primarily if you cannot get a prescription for Phentermine. There are so many over-the-counter weight loss supplements available that, when combined with a diet and exercise plan, will do what phentermine does without the harmful side effects.

At Wellness Digest, our sourcing guidelines are strict and we only use primary references for our articles including peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

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  2. Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School Understanding the Stress Response Published July 6, 2020 https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-the-stress-response
  3. BMC - Journal of Medical Case Reports Phentermine–topiramate extended release for the dual treatment of obesity and sleep-related eating disorder: a case report Published January 27, 2022 https://jmedicalcasereports.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13256-021-03250-1
  4. Advance Medical Group When Should Appetitie Suppressants be Part of Your Weight-Loss Plan? https://www.advancemedgroup.com/blog/when-should-appetite-suppressants-be-part-of-your-weight-loss-plan
  5. Tabrizi R, Saneei P, Lankarani KB, Akbari M, Kolahdooz F, Esmaillzadeh A, Nadi-Ravandi S, Mazoochi M, Asemi Z. The effects of caffeine intake on weight loss: a systematic review and dos-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019;59(16):2688-2696. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2018.1507996. Epub 2018 Oct 18. PMID: 30335479.
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  7. Wiley Online Library Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. Effects of caffeine ingestion on rating of perceived exertion during and after exercise: a meta-analysis. Published March 18, 2005 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2005.00445.x
  8. Healthline Glucomannan — Is It an Effective Weight Loss Supplement? Published June 28, 2018 https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/glucomannan
  9. Shirazinia R, Rahimi VB, Kehkhaie AR, Sahebkar A, Rakhshandeh H, Askari VR. Opuntia dillenii: A Forgotten Plant with Promising Pharmacological Properties. J Pharmacopuncture. 2019 Mar;22(1):16-27. doi: 10.3831/KPI.2019.22.002. Epub 2019 Mar 31. PMID: 30988997; PMCID: PMC6461298.
  10. Janssens PL, Hursel R, Westerterp-Plantenga MS. Capsaicin increases sensation of fullness in energy balance, and decreases desire to eat after dinner in negative energy balance. Appetite. 2014 Jun;77:44-9. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2014.02.018. Epub 2014 Mar 12. PMID: 24630935.
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