Over-The-Counter (OTC) pills are non-prescription weight loss drugs available in pharmacies, health stores, or online.
Because OTC pills are more accessible and likelier to carry less severe negative side effects for the users, they are also quite popular. However, while they may not require a doctor’s prescription, they are still drugs, and drugs can be effective and harmful at the same time.
Effectiveness: Depending on the OTC drug you pick, you may experience positive or negative results since they are not prescribed and customized for you. Generally, it’s hard to know if something works for you until you try them – so OTC pills can be a gamble. Moreover, they might come with side effects similar to prescription medications, though typically less severe.
Considerations: OTC weight loss pills may be more accessible, but they might lack regulation and rigorous testing.
If you have tried either prescription or OTC pills, but they have either not worked for you or caused you painful side effects, consider health supplements – there is a growing body of research behind the ingredients used in these supplements that can deliver a more gentle, yet effective approach to weight loss for people who are not experiencing extreme obesity.