Slimming Pills

Slimming pills can be divided into two different groups - prescription and non-prescription. Non-prescription treatments, such as Hoodia, are readily available through many shops and outlets. Although non-prescription slimming pills might seem to work, there usually isn’t much data that proves their effectiveness conclusively.

Prescription diet pills, on the other hand, have data that actually supports their efficacy as they go through years of research and development before being approved as an effective and safe treatment for public use. You’ll only be able to use a prescription weight loss pill if a registered doctor recommends them.

Prescription-only slimming pills are available through HealthExpress following a free online consultation.

Prescription-only slimming pills

Certain slimming pills require a doctor's prescription and at the moment in the UK the only prescription-slimming pill is Xenical, also available in its generic form of Orlistat.

Xenical works by preventing around a third of the fat taken in through meals from being digested and stored in the body. It achieves this by preventing the action of an enzyme known as lipases in the stomach. The lipases are responsible for breaking down the big fat molecules into smaller components that can leave the stomach and be stored in the body as fat. Xenical can prevent around a third of the fat taken in with each meal from being digested.

In the past, a treatment called Reductil were available on prescription in the UK for weight loss and worked as an appetite suppressant. It worked in the brain, particularly in the centres that control the feeling of fullness. By preventing certain chemicals from being reabsorbed into the brain cells after a meal, patients would experience the feeling of being full for longer. It is no longer available in the UK because it was determined that the risk of side effects did not outweigh the benefits of the medication.

Another treatment that’s no longer available in the UK is Acomplia, which worked on the endocannabinoid system, which is a system in the brain that affects energy balance, glucose and lipid metabolism and body weight. The result was that patients would experience the feeling of being full more quickly, thus leading them to want to eat less than they otherwise would. Because of how it affected the brain, it was eventually withdrawn from the UK market.

Who can take prescription slimming pills?

Prescription slimming pills are very effective, but they can only be prescribed for treatment of obesity. Obesity is defined as having a BMI over 30; you can check your own BMI on our BMI calculator

Prescription slimming pills can also be prescribed for people with a BMI above 28 who are suffering from a condition where their weight puts their health at risk because they're more likely to develop health issues such as heart conditions. A free online consultation with a HealthExpress doctor will tell you if prescription slimming pills could work for you.

The efficacy of prescription slimming pills

All prescription slimming pills must undergo clinical trials before doctors can prescribe them. Xenical has undergone several clinical trials that have proven that, if used in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle, it can help patients lose weight.

In one placebo controlled study, patients on Xenical lost on average twice as much as other patients during a 52-week period, despite following the same diet. The study showed that patients taking Xenical lost an average of 13lbs after three months and 19lbs after 12 months.

Buying prescription slimming pills safely online

If you have a BMI above 30 or have a BMI over 27 and at risk of health problems you may be able to order Xenical from HealthExpress. Simply start an online consultation, which will be reviewed by our doctor. If your consultation is approved you’ll be notified and able to complete your order, after which your treatment will be shipped directly from our registered pharmacy to your door.