What are appetite suppressants?

Appetite suppressants do what it says on the tin: they make you feel full, so you eat less. That's how the popular weight loss injections Saxenda, Wegovy, and Mounjaro all work, as well as the Wegovy pill, the first oral GLP-1 now available in the UK.

There’s loads of interest in those medicines right now, but appetite suppression is a well-known strategy for weight loss. Some people use prescription tablets or supplements to help them feel full, for instance.

If you’re wondering whether to try an appetite suppressant, you probably have a bunch of questions, like: how do they work, and which one is right for me? Read on, we’ve laid it all out for you below.

Types of appetite suppressants

Let’s take a look at the main appetite suppressants you can get in the UK.

Weight loss injections

There are three options here: Saxenda, Wegovy, and Mounjaro weight loss injections.

While they all work in broadly the same way (we’ve covered this in more detail below), they are separate medicines: they each have a different active ingredient, come in different doses, and may bring on their own side effects. Your provider can advise on which is best for you personally.

Tablets

The Wegovy pill is now available in the UK through Voy. It's the first oral GLP-1 approved for weight loss and works as an appetite suppressant in tablet form, producing an average of 16.6% weight loss over 64 weeks.

Natural appetite suppressants

What about natural appetite suppressants? There are some supplements and strategies that might help.

Glucomannan

Glucomannan is a dietary fibre that dissolves in water. It comes from the root of the konjac plant.

When you take glucomannan, it forms a thick gel in your stomach. Not only does said gel sit in your gut for longer, but it can absorb water while it’s in there and expand. Both of these factors can make you feel full.

One example is Voy’s Glucomannan Complex capsules for weight loss, a natural fibre supplement designed to support appetite control.

Caffeine

Could your morning cup of coffee help stave off your appetite? It’s often said that caffeine is an appetite suppressant, as well as a short-term stimulant for your metabolism. But the scientific evidence around its role in weight loss isn’t decisive: some studies suggest that it might help with weight loss, though the effects may be modest.

Drinking too much coffee (or tea) isn’t recommended though. Up to 400mg of caffeine a day appears to be safe for most healthy adults.

Filling foods

Some foods will keep you feeling fuller for longer than others, even while being lower in calories. Lean sources of protein (chicken, tofu, fish) are one example, along with foods that are high in fibre (fruits and vegetables, whole grain foods like brown rice).

We’re big fans of these foods here at Voy: they’re super important aspects of a healthy, balanced diet that supports weight loss. The recommended daily fibre intake for adults is 30g a day.

How do appetite suppressants work?

GLP-1 medications make you feel full by acting like your body's natural hunger-suppressing hormones. They slow down the rate of digestion while reducing your appetite and cravings.

Saxenda, Wegovy, and the Wegovy pill all work by copying a hormone called GLP-1. Mounjaro acts like both GLP-1 and GIP, which is why it tends to be the more potent option. If you're curious how long it takes for Mounjaro to suppress appetite, read our guide.

You might hear people referring to these medicines as peptides, because it's a way to describe their active ingredients: liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide, respectively.

Natural options work in various ways, so do check the label and ask your clinician if you aren't sure.

Are appetite suppressants actually effective?

We’re glad you asked.

There's solid clinical research around GLP-1 medications when they're used alongside a balanced, nutritious diet and regular exercise. After taking them for at least a year, studies show that:

• People on Saxenda lost an average of 7.4% of their starting weight.
• For those using Wegovy injections, average weight loss is up to 20.7% at the highest 7.2mg dose.
• People taking the Wegovy pill lost an average of 16.6% over 64 weeks.
• People on Mounjaro lost an average of up to 22.5% of their starting weight.

When it comes to weight loss supplements, the scientific evidence is a bit of a mixed bag. For example, there’s some studies showing modest success on glucomannan, while others indicate that it has no notable effect on weight.

Are appetite suppressants safe?

GLP-1 medications have been studied in large-scale clinical trials and are approved by medicines regulators including the MHRA in the UK. They're generally considered safe for most people, though you shouldn't take them if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

But they do come with side effects. The most common symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Stomach pain (Mounjaro & Wegovy)
• Headache (Saxenda & Wegovy)

Speak with your provider about other appetite suppressants. They’ll consider your current health and medical history when deciding whether they’re right for you.

Your next step

Which is the best appetite suppressant for you personally? That's something for you and your clinician to decide. But if you've tried to lose weight another way and it didn't work out as you hoped, weight loss medication could be a great option.

These medicines are only part of the picture though. Building healthy habits that last is key to reaching your goals and maintaining your progress.

Our clinical team can help with that. Through our weight loss treatment, they'll work with you to create a personalised plan and be there to support you at every step. You’ll also get weight loss medication posted to you each month. It worked for Stephen, who lost an incredible 35kg. Check out his Mounjaro before and after story.

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