What is the Strongest Weight Loss Prescription Pill
For decades, it’s been thought that the golden ticket to weight loss success is a combination of diet and exercise. While certainly important, the reality is that many people need additional help to reach their goals.
This is where weight loss medication comes in. When paired with healthy lifestyle changes, these tablets can enhance your chances of success and even help you keep going with your new regime. But with so many options out there, which one should you choose?
The answer for many may initially lie with one simple question: “What is the strongest weight loss prescription pill you can buy?” After all, the stronger the medication, the more effective it is — right? In fact, this isn’t necessarily the case. Instead, it comes down to several factors which we’re about to discuss.
What Pills are Used for Weight Loss?
There are two main types of pills that can help with weight loss; appetite suppressants like MySimba and fat absorption blockers such as orlistat. When combined with healthy lifestyle choices, these tablets can help you lose weight. They’re a popular alternative to injections, particularly if you have a needle phobia or don’t like the idea of injecting yourself at home.
At Prescription Doctor, we offer two types of weight loss pills:
- Orlistat: available under the brand name Xenical is a fat absorption blocker and is also available in a lower dose over the counter as alli
- MySimba: an appetite suppressant medication that contains two active ingredients, naltrexone and bupropion
How Do Weight Loss Pills Work?
Weight loss pills can work in different ways to help you lose weight, depending on which one you choose to take. For example, some will suppress your appetite, making you feel less hungry and curbing snacking and food cravings, while others will lower fat absorption so that the fat you eat will pass out of your body as waste.
Let’s take a look at how the weight loss pills offered by Prescription Doctor can help you meet your transformation goals:
How Does Orlistat Work for Weight Loss?
Orlistat is a fat absorption blocker. As the name suggests, this medication works by preventing the body from taking in dietary fat through the intestines and holding it in reserve. Instead, the unwanted fat exits the body naturally as waste.
Xenical (Orlistat)
- Clinically tested to be effective and safe
- Prevents fat from being digested
- Registered prescribers are on hand
A reduction in the amount of fat stored within the body can also help lower calorie intake, further enhancing the medication’s weight loss capabilities. Combining all of this with a healthy lifestyle can make it a powerful ally throughout your journey.
Research has shown that orlistat can block up to 33% of the fat you eat from being absorbed. It is available as either a prescription-only medication (sometimes under the brand name Xenical), or an over-the-counter version known as alli. While alli contains 60 mg of orlistat, the prescription version has 120 mg, making it the stronger weight loss pill out of the two when it comes to dose.
How Does MySimba Work for Weight Loss?
While many weight loss prescription pills work by blocking the body from absorbing dietary fat, MySimba acts on specific areas of the brain to suppress your appetite and reduce the impact of food cravings. It can also increase energy expenditure.
Mysimba
- Helps weight loss
- Lowers LDL-cholesterol
- Secure and discreet delivery
MySimba contains two active ingredients which, when paired together, can have an extremely positive effect on your weight loss journey. These are:
- Naltrexone – acts on the reward centre of the brain to block the rewarding feeling associated with food
- Bupropion – suppresses appetite to reduce food intake and increases energy expenditure by increasing heat production
Both of these ingredients are used separately to combat addictions such as nicotine and opioids. When combined together, they can impact the parts of the brain that control pleasure, energy balance, and food intake. Reducing the pleasure associated with fatty and unhealthy foods, while also strengthening your resolve when it comes to sticking to your diet and exercise plans, can really help you achieve your goals and keep you on the straight and narrow.
How Effective are Weight Loss Pills?
Weight loss pills, such as orlistat and MySimba, combined with diet and exercise, are a moderately effective weight loss solution, typically resulting in an average weight loss of 5% to 10%. However, they are not an overnight or miracle solution, and require a commitment to altering your lifestyle and a holistic approach.
How strong a weight loss prescription pill is when it comes to dose can also have an impact on its effectiveness. The higher the dosage, the more weight you should theoretically lose. However, it’s important to remember that not everyone’s journey is the same, so your own results will be unique to you and your circumstances.
Let’s take a look at how effective the weight loss pills offered by Prescription Doctor can be:
Orlistat Effectiveness
Research shows that 37% of people who take orlistat will lose at least 5%, and 49% can lose more than 10% of their starting body weight after 12 weeks of treatment. After one year of treatment, 20% of people taking 120 mg of orlistat lost more than 10% of their initial body weight compared to just 8% of people given a placebo.
alli Effectiveness
Studies show that of the people who took alli to lose weight, between 37.7% and 54.6% lost at least 5% of their body weight and 10.5% to 21.3% lost at least 10% of their starting body weight after six months.
Alli (Orlistat)
- Available without a prescription
- Prevents absorption of fat
- Proven weight loss aid
MySimba Effectiveness
Data from research studies reveal that over 56 weeks, people who take MySimba can lose between 3.7% and 8.1% of their initial body weight. In one particular trial, 80% of people who took MySimba for 56 weeks lost at least 5% of their body weight, and 55% lost more than 10%.
How do Weight Loss Pills Compare?
To help you gauge which weight loss pill might be best in terms of effectiveness, we’ve put together the following comparison table. Please note that this only covers the medication provided by Prescription Doctor.
| orlistat | Xenical | MySimba | alli | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active Ingredient | orlistat | orlistat | Naltrexone/Bupropion | orlistat |
| Strength | 120 mg | 120 mg | 8 mg/90 mg | 60 mg |
| Medication Type | Capsule | Capsule | Tablet | Capsule |
| Effectiveness | Possible weight loss of at least 10% after 12 months. | Potential weight loss of 10% or more after 12 months. | Up to an 8.1% reduction from starting weight after 56 weeks. | Over 40% of people lost around 5% or more after a year. |
| Prescription-Only? | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Frequency | Up to 3 times a day | Up to 3 times a day | Up to twice a day | Up to 3 times a day |
Weight Loss Pill Side Effects
Like all medications, weight loss tablets can cause side effects. The different active ingredients in orlistat and MySimba mean that these pills can result in symptoms such as:
| Xenical/alli | MySimba | |
|---|---|---|
| Very Common |
|
|
| Common |
|
|
Most weight loss pill side effects are mild and go away on their own once your body is used to the medication. However, there are some things you can do to help make them more manageable in the meantime, such as:
- Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of clear fluids, especially if you are being sick or have diarrhoea
- Eating smaller, more regular meals consisting of plain or bland foods
- Getting some fresh air by having a walk or exercising outside if you can
- Taking painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen for headaches or body pain
If you experience any side effects that you find hard to manage, contact your clinician, who can offer advice about switching your medication or lowering your dose, if applicable. More serious side effects, such as an allergic reaction or breathing difficulties, should be dealt with by visiting A&E for immediate attention.
How Much Do Weight Loss Pills Cost?
The price of weight loss pills can vary depending on the product. How much you’ll have to pay is based on a number of factors, including its potency and the number of tablets you’ll receive.
For some people, how much weight loss pills cost can be an important consideration when deciding which option they should choose. With this in mind, here’s a price comparison of the different medications you can purchase from Prescription Doctor:
| Quantity | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| orlistat | 84 capsules | £42.99 |
| Xenical | 84 capsules | £84.95 |
| MySimba | 112 tablets | £109.99 |
| alli | 84 capsules | £59.99 |
How Accessible are Weight Loss Pills?
How easy it is to access a weight loss pill is another factor that determines which could be the best one for you. While medications like MySimba and orlistat are prescription-only, alli can be bought over the counter. If you’re the type of person who would rather avoid potentially-awkward, drawn-out conversations with doctors, going down the non-prescription route may seem like a more appealing option.
While you’ll still need to answer some basic questions to access alli, these will be less in-depth than the prescription-based alternatives. Your application also won’t need to be approved by a doctor, making the whole process more streamlined.
Where Can I Buy Weight Loss Pills?
Weight loss pills, prescription or otherwise, can be purchased from a pharmacy — with some even available on the NHS. For convenience, many products can be bought online from reputable companies such as Prescription Doctor, following a consultation with a clinician.
START YOUR WEIGHT LOSS CONSULTATION TODAY
Who Can Take Weight Loss Pills?
Weight loss pills do not offer a one-size-fits-all approach and are not recommended for everyone. You will need to meet some specific criteria, such as a high body mass index (BMI) or a moderately high BMI and certain weight-related conditions, before being able to get them, even if they are available without a prescription.
To be eligible for prescription weight loss pills from Prescription Doctor, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a body mass index of 30 or more or
- Have a BMI of 27 to 30 and at least one other weight-related condition
Are There Alternatives to Weight Loss Pills?
If weight loss pills are unsuitable for you, or you’re looking to achieve larger goals, you may find that injections are a better alternative. Some common examples of these include Wegovy and Mounjaro, which are intended to be taken once per week. They both work by suppressing your appetite.
These injections are often considered to be more effective than even the strongest weight loss prescription pill in terms of potency. This is because they make it easier to follow a calorie-controlled diet and have better bioavailability, meaning they’re simpler for the body to digest. The fact that they can be administered weekly rather than daily could also be an advantage.
Here’s a bit more information about the types of weight loss injections that Prescription Doctor can provide:
- Wegovy: a subcutaneous once-weekly injection that contains the active ingredient, semaglutide (the same as Ozempic) and can help you lose up to 15% of your starting body weight in 68 weeks
- Mounjaro: a once-weekly subcutaneous injection that contains tirzepatide and mimics two digestive hormones to suppress your appetite and slow down digestion, helping you to lose up to 22.5% of your initial body weight in 72 weeks
Which is the Best Weight Loss Pill?
While you may think that the strongest weight loss prescription pill will automatically be the one with the highest dosage, this isn’t always the case. In reality, it all comes down to which one is most suitable for your individual needs.
There are several factors that should be considered, including:
- Purpose: Make sure the medication has undergone clinical trials proving its effectiveness for weight loss. Don’t accept any treatments that aren’t specifically designed for this objective
- Side Effects: Think about the potential side effects each medication can cause and how they could impact your life
- Compatibility: Only choose a weight loss pill that works well with your own circumstances and lifestyle
- Source: It’s important to work with reputable pharmacists to ensure the products you take are completely safe to use
At Prescription Doctor, we have a wide selection of weight loss treatments that are designed to help you reach your goals. Our expert clinicians will be with you every step of the way, from helping you choose the right solution for your circumstances, to offering next-day delivery and discreet packaging. Whatever your situation, you can rely on us to provide the best advice and support.
Ready to embark on your weight loss journey? Start a consultation with Prescription Doctor today.
Sources
AMS, 2020. Safety and efficacy of naltrexone for weight loss in adult patients – a systematic review.
emc, 2025. Mounjaro KwikPen 10mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen.
emc, 2024. Wegovy 2.4 mg, FlexTouch solution for injection in pre-filled pen.
emc, 2023. alli 60 mg hard capsules.
emc, 2023. Mysimba 8 mg/90 mg prolonged-release tablets.
emc, 2023. Xenical 120 mg hard capsules.
NHS, 2022. Dietary advice for patients taking orlistat.
Pharmacy & Therapeutics, 2016. Naltrexone/Bupropion ER (Contrave).
Pharmacological Research, 2014. Naltrexone/bupropion for obesity: An investigational combination pharmacotherapy for weight loss.
Authored By
Leanne Edermaniger
Medical Content WriterPublished on: 28/08/2024
Reviewed By
Mohamed Imran Lakhi
MPharm - Lead PharmacistReviewed on: 07/04/2025
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