Medication We Can Prescribe

Appetite Suppressants

If the doctor thinks it will help your transition to a new eating plan, you may be prescribed appetite suppressants as part of your treatment. By suppressing your appetite, your transition to a new and healthier eating plan is made easier.

When combined with the diet which our doctor will select for you, and aided perhaps by some extra exercise, you will be well placed to achieve a permanent loss of weight and to maintain that lower weight into the future.

Our appetite suppressant medications include diethylpropion, phentermine and Reductil ®.  Both diethylpropion and phentermine have been in use for many years by millions of patients throughout the world. They are specially licensed and controlled medications, subject to strict regulatory controls. More than a billion prescriptions of these medications have been issued, and they have one of the best safety records.

Reductil ® is one of the newer appetite suppressants used for reducing weight and maintaining this weight loss. Unlike other medications, Reductil ® tends to make you feel full rather than not hungry. Reductil® has been used by over 1.5 million patients.   

Weight management with Reductil ® is most effective when integrated with a carefully monitored programme of healthy eating, physical activity and life-style modification.

Acomplia - Why We Withdrew It 12 Months Ago

You may have seen the press coverage about the European Medicines Agency recommendation not to use Acomplia as a weight loss medication.  This is based on evidence that it can cause serious side effects such as depression.

We came to a similar conclusion a year ago. After a review with our Medical Director and input from our other doctors, we formally withdrew Acomplia at that time.

Your wellbeing is important to us. It always comes first. 

Lipase Inhibitors

Xenical ® is a lipase inhibitor rather than an appetite suppressant, which prevents enzymes in the digestive tract from breaking down the dietary fats you eat into the smaller molecules that can be absorbed by the body. As the undigested triglycerides are not absorbed, the reduced calorific intake can have a positive effect on weight control. With Xenical ® absorption of fat is decreased by about 30 per cent. 


During a one year trial, patients treated with Xenical ® and a reduced calorie diet lost twice as much weight as those on a reduced calorie diet alone. Xenical ® is more generally recommended if you are considerably overweight - at least 30% above ideal weight (body mass index of 30 or greater) and also for those at least 20% above ideal weight (body mass index of 27 or greater) who also have other risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, or diabetes, or are unable to take appetite suppressants.

Side Effects

Please be aware that ALL medications have potential side effects. Weight loss medications are no different. Our doctor will advise you of the possible side effects of the particular medication that is prescribed to you.

Most side effects pass in two or three days. If they do not, stop taking the medication and call the clinic to speak to one of our doctors.  

If you would like to make an appointment or request more information, please call our 24 hour Enquiry Line free on 0800 019 0078