The Best Appetite Suppressants and Diet Pills To Control Hunger and Boost Metabolism in 2024

Curb cravings and sustain your energy with appetite suppressants that are both safe and effective. Here are our top picks, along with what to look for and what to avoid.

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Appetite suppressants are also known as “weight loss pills,” “diet pills” or "hunger suppressants." When paired with a balanced diet and regular exercise, appetite suppressants may help you lose weight. In fact, according to the Cleveland Clinic, you could lose more weight when you combine weight loss pills with healthy lifestyle changes like diet and exercise. Remember that appetite-suppressing supplements are not a magic cure. They can help make you less hungry, but you’ll still need to eat a healthy diet and get regular exercise to shed excess weight.

So what exactly should you look for in an appetite suppressant supplement, and what can you expect from using one? There are many options, ranging from teas and off-the-shelf powders to prescription shots and over-the-counter appetite suppressant pills. You’ll want a product that will boost your energy and curb cravings without leaving you jittery or irritable. We’ve compiled a list of the best appetite suppressants to help reduce your appetite and boost your metabolism. We’ll also do our best to tell you how each product may make you feel mentally and physically. All of the supplements on our list are available without a doctor’s prescription.

This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention or treatment of health problems. Always speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen.

Our Picks for the Best Appetite Suppressant in 2024:

• Best Overall Appetite Suppressant: PhenQ
• Best Appetite Suppressant for Women: Legion Athletics Phoenix
• Best Natural Appetite Suppressant: Transparent Labs Recomp
• Best Appetite Suppressant and Fat Burner: Instant Knockout
• Best Appetite Suppressant for Night Time: PhenQ PM
• Best Appetite Suppressant for Men: Legion Athletics Phoenix
• Best Stimulant-Free Appetite Suppressant: Jacked Factory Lean XT
• Best Appetite Suppressant for Boosting Metabolism: Legion Athletics Phoenix
• Best Caffeinated Appetite Suppressant: Kaged Clean Burn with ACV
• Best Over-the-Counter Appetite Suppressant: PhenQ PM

Best Overall Appetite Suppressant: PhenQ

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Our pick for the best overall appetite suppressant is PhenQ. PhenQ touts that its formula targets weight loss in five ways, including helping to burn fat, reducing fat accumulation, crushing food cravings, balancing mood and boosting energy.

PhenQ claims it only uses 100 percent natural and safe ingredients. One such ingredient is Capsimax Powder. Capsaicinoids are found in chili peppers. Studies show they are effective in long-term weight management.

PhenQ also contains chromium picolinate, which a study found was successful at helping reduce food intake in women craving carbohydrates. PhenQ is one of the only products to include α-Lacys Reset, which is a combination of alpha lipoic acid, cysteine base, and magnesium. While more research needs to be done on the long-term effectiveness of alpha lipoic acid, studies found that ALA treatment does aid in weight loss.

Check out our in-depth PhenQ review for more information.

Key features:

• Vegan and vegetarian friendly formula
• Aims to help burn fat and reduce cravings
• Free shipping
• How it targets weight loss: Ingredients including α-Lacys Reset and Capsimax powder that provide a thermogenic effect to help boost metabolic rate and stimulate the fat burning process.
• Best for: Those looking to lose weight while also prioritizing a nutritious diet, daily exercise and a consistent sleep schedule

Dose

One tablet twice a day. One with breakfast, and one with lunch.

Formula/ingredients

Contains six active ingredients in one dose, including:

• Calcium carbonate: 230 milligrams
• Chromium picolinate: 0.08 milligrams
• L-carnitine fumarate: 150 milligrams
• Caffeine anhydrous: 100 milligrams
• Nopal cactus fiber: 20 milligrams
• Capsimax Plus Blend: 50 milligrams
• α-Lacys Reset: 25 milligrams

Potential side effects

According to the PhenQ website, no known side effects have been reported so far. However, as with any supplement, consult your medical provider before adding to your wellness routine. It’s worth noting that PhenQ contains caffeine, so we recommend you don't take PhenQ after 3 p.m. to avoid interrupting your sleep. If you are sensitive to caffeine you may want to look for a stimulant-free option.

Best Appetite Suppressant for Women: Legion Athletics Phoenix

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Legion Athletics Phoenix has a unique formula among fat burners because it contains Forskolin. Forskolin is a substance found in the mint-link Indian herb coleus forskohlii, which the company claims supports fat loss and respiratory disorders. Several studies done in the U.S., Japan and India seem to support this claim. In one of the studies, women who took 250 milligrams of ForsLean lost between one and two pounds each week during the eight-week study.

In addition to Forskolin, Legion Athletics Phoenix has a higher amount of Caralluma fimbriata than other fat burners, which is an edible cactus used to suppress appetite. The clinically effective dose is 1,000 milligrams, which this supplement offers. The other ingredients in the supplement are 150 milligrams of 5-HTP, an ingredient that can boost your mood during dieting, 100 milligrams of black ginger, which has been shown to increase energy expenditure, green tea extract and a couple of B vitamins.

As a company, Legion lives up to its name, having all ingredients listed clearly on its labels. The company also has all of its products tested by independent third parties to ensure safety and quality.

Related Post: The Best Fat Burners for Women

Key features:

• Contains scientifically proven ingredients for burning fat, reducing appetite and increasing metabolism
• Each bottle comes with 30 servings
• Save money when you subscribe to a recurring delivery
• How it targets weight loss: Besides coleus forskohlii, Phoenix contains a combination of three citrus fruits (bitter orange, grapefruit and lemons) that have been shown to speed up metabolism and increase thermogenesis
• Best for: Those who want a third-party tested supplement that has been analyzed for purity and potency

Dose

The recommended dosage is 3 capsules daily, taken in the morning with a meal.

Formula/ingredients

• Forskolin: 50 milligrams
• Caffeine: 200 milligrams
• Black ginger: 100 milligrams
• Grains of Paradise: 30 milligrams
• 5-HTP: 150 milligrams
• L-DOPA: 150 milligrams
• Vitamin B6: 1.7 milligrams
• Vitamin B12: 2.4 micrograms
• Iodine: 240 micrograms

Potential side effects

All ingredients are safe to use, but there are 200 milligrams of caffeine per dose, which means you may feel jittery, have an upset stomach, experience increased heart rate or have disrupted sleep. If you are sensitive to caffeine, there is a “stim-free” option of Phoenix. 

Best Natural Appetite Suppressant: Transparent Labs Recomp

Transparent Labs

If you’re looking for a supplement with all-natural ingredients, consider Transparent Labs Recomp. This hunger suppressant contains a blend of ingredients designed to control cravings, boost your metabolism and burn fat. Two of the main ingredients, green tea and caffeine, have been shown to be fat burning foods that help with weight control when taken together. This product also contains Coleus forskohlii, a plant that has been shown to stimulate thyroid function. The hormones in your thyroid are what helps to regulate body weight, by controlling energy expenditure.

Note that this fat burner also contains cayenne pepper, which may affect people with a sensitivity to nightshades, such as those with autoimmune conditions like psoriasis, arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease.

Key features:

• All-natural ingredients
• Double effect of appetite suppression and fat burning
• Third-party tested for purity, potency and authenticity
• How it targets weight loss: Main ingredients green tea and caffeine, plus Coleus forskohlii
• Best for: Those who prefer appetite suppressants that don't use all-synthetic formulas

Dose

Transparent Labs recommends starting with one capsule daily for three days to see how it affects you. If you feel fine, you can increase the dose gradually to a maximum of two capsules four times a day, 30 to 60 minutes before meals, on an empty stomach. Since it can cause increased energy, Transparent Labs warns against taking the supplement within four hours of bedtime so it won’t affect your sleep.

Formula/ingredients

Active ingredients in one dose include:

• ForsLean (10 percent Coleus Forskholii): 500 milligrams
• Green Tea (50 percent EGCG): 400 milligrams
• 5-HTP: 300 milligrams
• L-tyrosine: 300 milligrams
• L-theanine: 240 milligrams
• Caffeine anhydrous: 240 milligrams
• Salicin (While Willow) Bark Extract: 120 milligrams
• Cayenne Pepper Extract: 100 milligrams
• Synephrine HCl: 25 milligrams

Potential side effects

The official website does not list any potential side effects. Still, each dose contains the equivalent of one to two cups of coffee. Side effects from taking too much caffeine include restlessness and shakiness, insomnia and headaches. We recommend you stop taking it before 3 p.m. to avoid impacting your sleep. 

Best Appetite Suppressant and Fat Burner: Instant Knockout

Instant Knockout

Instant Knockout was originally designed for professional boxers and MMA fighters, so the ideal user is probably someone into high-intensity workouts rather than a casual gym-goer. The formula includes green tea extract (500 milligrams per dose) and cayenne pepper (100 milligrams per dose) to suppress appetite and promote thermogenesis so that the calories burned are from stored fat. Green tea has caffeine to control cravings and catechins that help manage body fat.

Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, a compound that may reduce appetite. One study found that the participants who had red pepper with breakfast had a decreased protein and fat intake at lunch. Capsinoids found in cayenne pepper also boost metabolism and activate thermogenesis. Instant Knockout also has vitamin B6 (5 milligrams per dose). B6 promotes fat loss by reducing water retention and metabolizing fat.

We should point out this supplement's high caffeine content—300 milligrams if you take the recommended serving of 4 pills per day. That amount is roughly equivalent to three 8-ounce cups of coffee. If caffeine makes you jittery, Instant Knockout probably isn't the ideal supplement for you.

Key features:

• Claims to reduce appetite, promote thermogenesis and fat oxidation and boost energy and metabolism
• Exceeds the recommended daily value for vitamins D3, B6 and B12
• Formula is scientifically researched
• How it targets weight loss: Ingredients including green tea extract, cayenne pepper and vitamin B6 promote thermogenesis to help boost metabolic rate and stimulate the fat-burning process
• Best for: Athletes following a high-intensity workout program and people who aren't sensitive to caffeine

Dose

Take 1 capsule with a glass of water 4 times per day. Instant Knockout recommends taking the first dose immediately after waking up and before breakfast, the second dose between breakfast and lunch, the third dose 1 hour after lunch and the fourth dose 1 hour before dinner.

Formula/ingredients

Each dose includes:

• Vitamin D3: 45 micrograms
• Vitamin B6: 5 milligrams
• Vitamin B12: 10 micrograms
• Glucomannan: 1,800 milligrams
• Green tea extract: 500 milligrams
• Caffeine anhydrous: 300 milligrams
• L-theanine: 100 milligrams
• Cayenne powder: 100 milligrams
• Black pepper extract: 10 milligrams

Potential side effects

Instant Knockout contains a considerable amount of caffeine. Possible side effects include restlessness, insomnia, dehydration, headaches and anxiety. Always talk to your doctor before starting a new supplement.

Best Appetite Suppressant for Nighttime: PhenQ PM

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If you’re looking to reach your weight loss goals while you sleep, check out PhenQ PM. It’s our pick for the best appetite suppressant for night time. PhenQ PM claims it can help you shed pounds, crush hunger cravings and reset your metabolism while you sleep. To use, take four capsules 30 minutes to one hour before going to bed to allow the ingredients to be absorbed into your body.

One of the main ingredients in PhenQ PM is L-arginine which studies show helps reduce weight in people who are obese. PhenQ also contains L-lysine, an essential amino acid that our bodies cannot make, but is usually found in food or supplements. Lysine is important for the production of carnitine, which converts fatty acids into energy. Studies have found that L-lysine can help muscle tissue recover after stress.

Key features:

• Dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free and preservative free
• Aims to help boost metabolism and burn calories
• 60-day money-back guarantee
• Manufactured in a cGMP-certified facility
• How it targets weight loss: Ingredients including L-arginine and L-lysine, which may help the body convert fatty acids to energy
• Best for: Those who prefer to take supplements with their nighttime routine

Dose

Take four capsules 30 minutes to one hour before going to bed.

Formula/ingredients

• Vitamin C: 80 milligrams
• Vitamin B1: Four milligrams
• Vitamin B6: Five milligrams
• Biotin: 120 milligrams
• Vitamin B5: 10 milligrams
• Choline: 40 milligrams
• Chromium: 120 milligrams
• Molybdenum: 100 milligrams
• L-arginine: 1,200 milligrams
• L-lysine HCI: 1,200 milligrams
• L-theanine: 200 milligrams
• 5-HTP: 150 milligrams

Potential side effects

According to the PhenQ website, no known side effects have been reported so far. However, PhenQ PM contains L-lysine. While L-lysine is considered safe, too much may cause gallstones, renal dysfunction or renal failure. As with any supplement, consult your medical provider before adding to your wellness routine. 

Best Appetite Suppressant for Men: Legion Athletics Phoenix

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Although Legion Athletics says Phoenix is for both men and women, some of the ingredients may have particular benefits for men looking to manage their weight. Take forskolin, for example. Scientific research involving male subjects has found that forskolin may stimulate free fatty acid release and help promote better body composition. This supplement has 50 milligrams of forskolin per serving.

In a broader sense, other ingredients in Phoenix associated with appetite suppression have universal benefits for anyone. Ginger (100 milligrams per serving in the form of black ginger) has been found to control appetite, as well as promoting other effects conducive to weight loss including thermogenesis. Each serving also contains 30 milligrams of Grains of Paradise, an herb in the ginger family.

Phoenix also has 200 milligrams per serving of caffeine, which is known for its potential to reduce appetite. However, if you take more than one tablet per day, you’ll be on the high end of the recommended daily caffeine intake of 400 milligrams per day for adults, so watch out for side effects, including jitters, feeling nervous, disrupted sleep and an upset stomach.

Related Post: The Best Supplements for Men

Key features:

• Contains scientifically tested ingredients for reducing appetite, burning fat and increasing metabolism
• 30 servings per bottle
• Save up to 40% when you subscribe to a recurring delivery
• How it targets weight loss: In addition to forskolin, Phoenix contains vitamins B6 and B12 to speed up metabolism and increase energy
• Best for: Men (or women) looking for a third-party tested supplement that has been analyzed for purity and potency

Dose

Take 3 capsules daily. Legion Athletics recommends taking them in the morning with a meal.

Formula/ingredients

• Forskolin: 50 milligrams
• Caffeine: 200 milligrams
• Black ginger: 100 milligrams
• Grains of Paradise: 30 milligrams
• 5-HTP: 150 milligrams
• L-DOPA: 150 milligrams
• Vitamin B6: 1.7 milligrams
• Vitamin B12: 2.4 micrograms
• Iodine: 240 micrograms

Potential side effects

As with many appetite suppressants, be mindful of the caffeine in Legion Athletics Phoenix (200 milligrams per dose). Anyone who has experienced caffeine-related effects such as an upset stomach or feeling jittery can consider the "stim-free" version.

Best Stimulant-Free Appetite Suppressant: Jacked Factory Lean XT

Jacked Factory

Jacked Factory Lean XT is a stim-free appetite suppressant with a simple, four-ingredient formula that encourages your body to use stored fat for energy rather than recently consumed food. The key ingredient in this process is L-carnitine, an amino acid in all of your cells that allows them to convert fat to energy.

The other ingredients in Lean XT are green tea extract, coleus forskohlii and Bioperine. Green tea is a natural, mild appetite suppressant. Coleus forskohlii has also shown promise as an appetite suppressant, while Bioperine (black pepper extract) may increase your absorption of the other nutrients in the formula.

Key features:

• No caffeine, so it can be taken with caffeinated pre-workouts or in the evenings
• Simple, four-ingredient formula with no unnecessary fillers
• Budget-friendly at $34.99 for 60 capsules compared to around $50 for other brands
• How it targets weight loss: Ingredients like Acetyl L-carnitine HCL may help turn excess fat into fuel
• Best for: Those with a caffeine sensitivity or who consume caffeine from other sources

Dose

Take one capsule daily for three days to assess your tolerance for your initial doses. After you are comfortable with your tolerance, take two capsules once or twice daily before or with meals.

Formula/ingredients

Active ingredients in one dose include:

• Acetyl L-carnitine HCL: 750 milligrams
• Green Tea Extract: 500 milligrams
• Coleus forskohlii root extract (20 percent Forskolin): 150 milligrams
• Bioperine black pepper extract: 5 milligrams

Potential side effects

Jacked Factory doesn’t list any specific side effects. Amazon reviews also do not list any consistent side effects, though one reviewer did mention persistent headaches after taking the product.

Best Appetite Suppressant for Boosting Metabolism: Legion Athletics Phoenix

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Legion Athletics Phoenix is a fat burner supplement that’s meant to stimulate the production of cellular energy. By doing so, it accelerates fat loss and increases your metabolism. Additionally, this product combines synephrine, naringin and hesperidin—ingredients that come from citrus fruits—which the company claim also work together to speed up the metabolism and improve the metabolic rate of consumers by almost 200 calories. In addition to burning calories, it could also mean you’re improving your gut health since a healthy gut is associated with a healthy metabolism and brain.

Ingredients in Phoenix such as green tea extract and forskolin have been shown to decrease body fat by helping the body burn through energy reserves. According to Legion Athletics, clinically effective doses of forskolin have not yet been established, but it is believed to be effective at 25-50 milligrams per day.

Key features:

• Contains seven different scientifically proven ingredients for burning fat, reducing appetite and increasing metabolism
• Each bottle comes with 30 servings
• Save money when you subscribe to a recurring delivery
• How it targets weight loss: Besides coleus forskohlii, Phoenix contains a combination of three citrus fruits (bitter orange, grapefruit and lemon) that have been proven to speed up metabolism and increase thermogenesis
• Best for: Those who want a third-party tested supplement that has been analyzed for purity and potency

Dose

The serving size is five pills, but you’re meant to split the dose into two servings throughout the day. So, you can take two with breakfast and three with lunch, for example.

Formula/ingredients

• ForsLean: 250 milligrams
• Green Tea: 200 milligrams
• 5-HTP: 150 milligrams
• L-tyrosine: 150 milligrams
• L-theanine: 120 milligrams
• Caffeine anhydrous: 120 milligrams
• White Willow: 120 milligrams
• Cayenne Pepper: 50 milligrams
• Synephrine HCl: 25 milligrams

Potential side effects

All ingredients are safe to use, but there are 200 milligrams of caffeine per dose, which means you may feel jittery, have an upset stomach, experience increased heart rate or have disrupted sleep. If you are sensitive to caffeine, there is a “stim-free” option of Phoenix. 

Best Caffeinated Appetite Suppressant: Kaged Clean Burn with ACV

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We like Kaged Clean Burn with ACV for several reasons, but three ingredients stand out in the formula. Kaged Clean Burn has caffeine, but a modest 166 milligrams. We like that amount of caffeine because it still leaves plenty of room for your daily coffee without getting too close to the 400-milligram daily limit recommended by the FDA. Caffeine alone can suppress your appetite, depending on how close to meals you take it. Clean Burn also has 500 milligrams of apple cider vinegar, which may decrease appetite when combined with a calorie-restricted diet.

We also like Clean Burn’s inclusion of grains of paradise in the formula. One study found that 30 milligrams of grains of paradise daily may help you burn more calories throughout the day while keeping your body from accumulating fat. Clean Burn only has 20 milligrams of grains of paradise per serving, but the other active ingredients in the formula make Clean Burn worthy of inclusion on our list.

Key features:

• 166 milligrams of caffeine per serving—a little less than two cups of coffee
• Formula is built on whole food extracts like grains of paradise and apple cider vinegar
• Informed-Sport certified free of banned substances
• How it targets weight loss: Dose is taken first thing in the morning before eating or before a workout to kick-start your metabolism and help with portion control
• Best for: Those who prefer to take supplements in the morning and want a stimulant

Dose

Take one scoop mixed in eight to 12 ounces of water in the morning or before a workout.

Formula/ingredients

Active ingredients in one dose include:

• PureCaf (caffeine): 166 milligrams
• Organic apple cider vinegar: 500 milligrams
• CalorieBurn (grains of paradise): 20 milligrams
• Coconut fruit water powder: 500 milligrams
• Carnipure (L-carnitine): 1,500 milligrams
• Capsimax (capsicum fruit extract): 50 milligrams
• AmaTea (organic guayusa leaf): 100 milligrams

Potential side effects

Kaged does not list any specific potential side effects, but Clean Burn contains caffeine, which can result in jitters, anxiety, insomnia and gastrointestinal discomfort.

Best Over-the-Counter Appetite Suppressant: PhenQ PM

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PhenQ PM is a nighttime supplement that’s meant to burn calories while you sleep and reduce cravings and have more energy throughout the day. According to the PhenQ, your body will go through three stages of nighttime fat burning. This includes an increase in human growth hormone, flushing out excess cortisol and appetite regulation.

The active ingredient L-Arginine increases the growth hormone to support metabolism and burn calories, according to a review in Current Opinion of Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care. There are also 120 milligrams of biotin, which is involved in regulating metabolic pathways supporting the body’s calorie-burning process, according to Cleveland Clinic. In the second stage, Molybdenum works to flush out toxic substances, such as cortisol buildup. High levels of cortisol can lead to cravings, feeling more hungry and can cause fat build-up in the belly area, according to University of Utah Health. The active ingredients chromium, L-Theanine, vitamin B6 and 5-HTP all work together to ensure a deep sleep and help regulate your appetite to avoid carb and sugar cravings.

PhenQ outlines what to expect from the first 24 hours of taking this supplement to three months and beyond. If for any reason you are not 100 percent satisfied, the brand offers a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Key features:

• Aims to burn fat while you sleep
• Dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free and preservative-free
• Made for men and women of all ages
• 100 percent satisfaction, 60-day money-back guarantee
• How it targets weight loss: Ingredients including L-arginine and L-lysine, which may help the body convert fatty acids to energy
• Best for: Those who prefer to take supplements with their nighttime routine

Dose

Take four capsules 30 minutes to one hour before going to bed.

Formula/ingredients

PhenQ PM has 12 main active ingredients:

• Vitamin C: 80 milligrams
• Vitamin B1: Four milligrams
• Vitamin B6: Five milligrams
• Biotin: 120 milligrams
• Vitamin B5: 10 milligrams
• Choline: 40 milligrams
• Chromium: 120 milligrams
• Molybdenum: 100 milligrams
• L-arginine: 1,200 milligrams
• L-lysine HCI: 1,200 milligrams
• L-theanine: 200 milligrams
• 5-HTP: 150 milligrams

Potential side effects

According to the PhenQ website, no known side effects have been reported so far. However, PhenQ PM contains L-lysine. While L-lysine is considered safe, too much may cause gallstones, renal dysfunction or renal failure. As with any supplement, consult your medical provider before adding it to your wellness routine. 

How Do Appetite Suppressants Work?

They might go by different names—appetite suppressant pills, hunger suppressants—but the various supplements and treatments designed to curb your appetite have the same purpose: making your brain think that your stomach is full. They come in many forms, including pills, powders, teas and gummies, and work in three main ways:

Fiber-containing pill

Fiber fills up the stomach, causing you to feel fuller more quickly. Fiber also digests slowly, which means you’ll feel fuller longer, and be less hungry and less likely to snack. These changes can lead to weight loss.

Hormone-targeting

A second type of appetite suppressant targets hormones in your body that send hunger signals to the brain. Hunger hormones include insulin, leptin and ghrelin, among others. Some minerals and nutrients can affect the regulation of these chemical messengers. For example, zinc is known to help balance leptin levels in the blood. That’s why you may see zinc in some natural hunger suppressants.

Serotonin-boosting

The third type of appetite suppressant supplement works to increase or support your body’s serotonin levels. Serotonin is another hormone in the body, and is known as a "feel good" hormone. It also helps regulate your appetite and tells your brain when you're full.

Related Post: Do Weight Loss Pills Work?

Benefits of Appetite Suppressant Supplements

People take appetite suppressants for a variety of reasons not limited to: losing weight, controlling cravings or treating health problems that make it difficult to lose weight. Regardless of the reason, appetite suppressants can help achieve your dietary goals. Some of the benefits include:

Helping with weight loss

Appetite suppressants help make you less hungry, and curb food cravings so that you eat fewer calories overall. This helps you lose weight quickly, regardless of how much you usually eat.

Improving dietary habits

Trying to stick to a healthy diet on your own is hard, but suppressants may help. Appetite suppressants make it easier to resist temptations and stay on track with a healthy eating plan over time.

Managing food cravings

Some people find that taking appetite suppressants helps them better manage their food cravings. Rather than feeling overwhelmed and giving into a sweet tooth, binge-eating or stress snacking, they can take back a little control by feeling fuller longer.

Possible Side Effects of Appetite Suppressants

Depending on the formula, some appetite suppressants can cause side effects. Always read the labels and follow the recommended dosage and instructions to avoid side effects. Common possible side effects include:

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sleepiness

One common ingredient in many appetite suppressants is caffeine. Too much caffeine can cause side effects like irritability, fast heart rate, dehydration and anxiety. If you choose an appetite suppressant containing large amounts of caffeine, we recommend that you consider restricting caffeinated beverages while taking the appetite suppressant. If you notice a change in how you feel when taking an appetite suppressant, you could be sensitive to one or more ingredients. Stop the supplement and talk with your doctor to determine what to do next.

Who Shouldn't Use an Appetite Suppressant?

Although some people could see benefits from using appetite suppressants as part of a health regime that includes healthy eating and exercise, others should avoid them. People who should not take appetite suppressants include:

• Those taking certain prescription medications for depression or anxiety, due to possible drug interactions
• People with certain medical conditions that may be worsened by the effects of an appetite suppressant, such as heart disease, kidney disease, glaucoma, overactive thyroid and liver disease
• Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy
• People who have a history of body dysmorphia, eating disorders or previous abuse of weight loss pills

The potential risks underscore the importance of talking with your personal doctor or another medical professional before taking an appetite suppressant. 

What To Look For When Choosing An Appetite Suppressant

Safety

As with all supplements, weight loss pills are not regulated by the FDA. In order to ensure the supplements you are taking are as safe as possible, check for precautions like third-party testing or certifications. You should also check the labels for ingredient amounts, including caffeine, to ensure that combined with your regular caffeine intake, you’re not exceeding the FDA-recommended limit of 400 milligrams per day. And talk to your doctor before adding any supplements to your diet.

Brand reputation

Again, as supplements are not regulated by the FDA, it’s best to seek out weight loss pills from reputable brands. You can do this by looking at reviews, certifications and how forthcoming each brand is with information about what is in a product and how it works.

Ingredients

Check the label to see what the active ingredients are in each product. You may have to do independent research about any unfamiliar ingredients. Note that while the FDA doesn’t regulate supplements, it can regulate false efficacy claims made by the companies selling the products. 

Key Ingredients of Appetite Suppressant Supplements

These supplements contain a wide range of ingredients, from vitamins and minerals to herbs and herbal blends. The best products include ingredients that are natural appetite suppressants.

Reading the label on a bottle of appetite suppressant pills can be confusing, so keep it simple by looking for ingredients you recognize. Also keep an eye out for ingredients that have been shown to help reduce cravings, improve energy or aid weight loss. Here’s a quick look at some of the most common appetite suppressant ingredients:

• Caffeine: Caffeine is a stimulant that increases your metabolism, energy levels and mental alertness. It also increases your metabolism, which can be helpful in weight loss.
• Capsicum: Capsaicinoids are found in chili peppers and chili pepper extracts. They improve your metabolism and have also been shown to decrease your appetite.
• Choline: This essential nutrient has been shown to help with fat metabolism in the body.
• Chromium: This is an essential trace mineral shown to normalize blood sugar levels, so it may help reduce carb cravings—like cakes, candies and sweets—to support weight loss.
• Garcinia Cambogia: The rind of this fruit contains hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which has been clinically shown to help block fat accumulation in the body, which encourages weight loss.
• Glucomannan: This is a water-soluble dietary fiber that has been shown to help you feel fuller (satiety) for longer, and may also improve cholesterol levels.
• Green coffee bean extract: Green coffee bean is rich in antioxidants and has been shown to be helpful in promoting weight loss. It’s popular in appetite suppressants, but there is limited evidence of any effect on appetite suppression to prevent weight gain.
• Green tea extract (GTE): GTE has been linked to increased fat burning by up to 17 percent. Studies show that green tea raises your metabolism and increases the number of calories you burn at rest. This happens through a process called thermogenesis, which taps into stored fat.
• L-theanine: This amino acid, found in green and black tea, has been shown to reduce stress and help prevent food cravings.
• Vitamin B complex: B vitamins support cell metabolism (energy production). Many appetite suppressants include vitamin B to help support your energy, since you might be eating less.

Over-the-Counter Appetite Suppressants vs. Prescription Medications

The appetite suppressants on our list are over-the-counter (OTC) products, but there are prescription-strength ones available. Here are the main differences to know.

Over-the-counter appetite suppressants can be purchased online or in many stores without a doctor’s prescription. They may have fewer side effects than prescription appetite suppressants and do not require special medical supervision. Common side effects from OTC pills can include headache, dizziness and nausea. Since over-the-counter appetite suppressants are freely available, you can purchase a large quantity at once and start or stop them when you want or need to.

Alternatively, you must obtain prescription appetite suppressant pills from a doctor. To get a prescription, you’ll need to make an appointment with your primary care doctor or healthcare provider to discuss your plan. The doctor may even help by giving you resources for healthy meal plans or exercise routines to use while taking your appetite suppressant supplement. Many weight loss programs can be used in conjunction with these supplements.

Examples of prescription drugs that may be available through a physician include:

• Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia)
• Naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave)
• Phentermine
• Benzphetamine
• Diethylpropion
• Phendimetrazine

Your doctor will want to monitor you every month or so while you take the medication. In some cases, prescription drugs may be taken only for a short time—for example, up to 12 weeks. Common side effects of prescription appetite suppressants include dry mouth, trouble sleeping, increased blood pressure and mood changes. You should always consult a doctor before taking any appetite suppressant if you have any medical conditions.

How To Get Results With Appetite Suppressants

With any health and fitness goals, consistency is key. A healthy diet, quality sleep and an exercise routine that’s supplemented with appetite suppressants will be most beneficial. Ensuring you’re staying physically active and eating a balanced diet with carbs, fats and protein is most important for your health.

How to Suppress Your Appetite with Diet, Exercise and Behavior

If appetite suppressants aren't for you, making some lifestyle changes can provide opportunities to manage your appetite and food cravings without supplements or prescription medication. Here are some steps you can explore:

• Eating greens such as spinach and kale, along with foods with higher healthy fat content such as avocados and almonds, has been found to help increase feelings of satiety, meaning you will feel fuller longer.
• Drinking green tea and coffee offers a natural way to increase your caffeine intake. Caffeine has been found to be effective in controlling appetite.
• Various research has suggested that vigorous exercise can reduce food cravings. For example, one study found that intense exercise can cause your body to produce a chemical compound that helps the brain suppress hunger.
• Eating on a regular schedule has been found to help regulate appetite, in addition to providing all-around health benefits.

How We Chose the Best Appetite Suppressants

We based our choices for the best appetite suppressants on a specific set of criteria. 

• Ingredients. Contains ingredients that are shown to promote weight loss
• Active ingredient content per serving. Active ingredients are dosed in an amount that's effective 
• Mechanism. Targets weight loss in a way that's effective and scientifically backed
  
• Availability of subscription plans. Options to subscribe and save
• Customer reviews. Online ratings posted by users
• Number of pills per serving. Contains a reasonable number of pills per dose; ideally under four

Learn more about our product review process.

Appetite Suppressant FAQs

Are appetite suppressants safe?

When used under a doctor’s or healthcare provider’s supervision, appetite suppressants are generally safe for most people. If you follow the dosage instructions and check with your doctor about any considerations, such as drug interactions with other medicines or supplements you may take, there is a good chance that a weight loss supplement is not likely to harm you.

Some people, however, should avoid appetite suppressants. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid them because they want to gain weight for a healthy pregnancy. Also, people who experience disordered eating, or who are diagnosed with an eating disorder should avoid appetite suppressants. 

How much weight can you lose with appetite suppressants?

Appetite suppressants can help people lose three to nine percent of their starting weight in 12 months when combined with lifestyle changes, like better nutrition and a healthy dose of exercise.

How long should you take appetite suppressants?

While your doctor can give you the best recommendation for your health and personal goals, appetite suppressants are generally a short-term treatment. Most prescription appetite suppressants are FDA-approved for a 12-week treatment plan. After 12 weeks, your doctor will assess your progress and determine what your next steps should be. It’s possible to build up a tolerance to the ingredients in appetite suppressants over time, which means they will lose their effectiveness.

When should you take appetite suppressants?

When you should take appetite suppressants will depend on your product and how your body responds. Usually, you’ll take one dose in the morning, followed by additional doses before meals to maintain your energy and stave off cravings. Take the last dose four to six hours before bedtime.

Make sure to read the instructions. The best time to take an appetite-suppressing supplement will depend on what’s on the label. If you don’t follow the instructions on the label, you may not get the results you want.

Most brands prescribe using appetite suppressants an hour before a meal. Doing so gives your body time to digest the supplement and send the active ingredients to your bloodstream. If you take the pill a few minutes before eating, you could end up overeating because the supplement hasn’t had time to suppress your appetite.

Also, you should not take an appetite-suppressing supplement before bed, especially if it contains caffeine or other stimulants. If you use such a supplement at night, the stimulants may keep you awake or affect your sleep quality.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.