Have you heard the recent news about the FDA approving a new product called Plenity to help those who have been struggling with their weight? While you might think of Plenity as a prescription diet drug, this is really a weight management device. Why is that? Continue reading to learn all about it.
It’s All About the FDA’s Approval of a Prescription Diet Drug
Sure, Plenity is taken in pill form, so you might immediately think of it as a prescription diet drug. However, the FDA granted clearance for this product as a medical device, not as a pharmaceutical drug, according to Everyday Health.
Why did they classify Plenity in this manner? Well, it boils down to how the body uses it. Rather than absorbing the capsule, the particles that are inside the capsule work by absorbing water to help you feel full. Eventually, the water is released along the digestive tract, leaving the rest of the material to be released through a bowel movement.
Who Is Plenity For?
When it comes to prescription diet pills, the patients who are allowed to take them are those who have been diagnosed as obese. Those are people who are carrying so much weight that their health is at risk because of it. Plenity, on the other hand, is the first product that has been approved for use in those who are considered overweight, not obese.
This means that individuals who have a BMI (body mass index) anywhere between 25 and 29.9 can take Plenity. If this were a prescription diet drug, on the other hand, it is likely that it would only be prescribed to those who are obese, with a BMI of 30 or more.
What Can Plenity Do for You?
Is your goal to eat less and control your portions, thereby consuming fewer calories and less fat? Then Plenity can help. All you have to do is take it about a half hour before having a meal. The product works by helping you feel full more quickly than you otherwise would, so you will be able to eat less without feeling hungry.
If you have talked to your doctor about taking a prescription diet drug to help you lose more weight, but you were told that you do not qualify for this type of diet pill because you are not obese, definitely consider chatting with your physician about Plenity. This weight management device, designed for those who are overweight and can’t take prescription diet pills, might be just what you have been looking for. And, if your doctor tells you that Plenity isn’t right for you either, there are also over-the-counter options that you can inquire about as well.