Plenity is a prescription drug that is an effective weight-loss method for overweight or obese people. It provides great results when combined with an exercise regime and a low-calorie diet.
The truth is that only a few drugs are licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight loss. Plenity was introduced to this limited list of approved weight-loss prescriptions in late 2019.
What exactly is Plenity, and does it live up to its claims? We investigate this drug to provide you more information on the effectiveness of Plenity as a weight loss solution.
What Is Plenity and How Does It Work?
Plenity is one of the only Food Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs for the treatment of obesity. It works well for people with body mass indices of 25 to 40 kg/m2. Anyone whose body mass index (BMI) falls in this range is at risk of several diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
Weight gain occurs when more calories are consumed than are burned, and in overweight and obese people, it can be difficult to fall on the right side of the see-saw of caloric intake versus caloric deficit.
This is where Plenity can help. It contains two ingredients that help keep you feeling full, so you consume fewer calories. When combined with an exercise regime, you lose more calories than you take in, resulting in weight loss.
The Company Responsible for Plenity
Gelesis, a privately held biotechnology business based in Boston, Massachusetts, is responsible for producing Plenity. The company was established in 2006 and is focused on medical gadgets, and treatments for gastrointestinal disease and obesity.
As Gelesis is a biotechnology company, it has invested much research and testing into the production of Plenity.
The Two Main Ingredients
The two main ingredients in Plenity that make it so effective are citric acid (or vitamin C), and cellulose.
- Citric Acid
Citrus fruits naturally contain citric acid, which is a weak organic acid. It appears as an ingredient in many prepared meals, refreshments, and pharmaceuticals. It conceals the taste of chewable and syrup-based drugs, while stabilizing and preserving active components. The vitamin itself is also recognized as an antioxidant that helps to burn fat.
- Carboxymethyl Cellulose
Cellulose is an insoluble material that makes up most plant cell walls, and many vegetable fibers. It is a polysaccharide composed of glucose monomer chains that are indigestible by humans.
In the stomach, strongly cross-linked cellulose grows by several times its initial volume. The increase in volume promotes weight loss by causing a prolonged feeling of satiation, and a delay in stomach emptying.
When you take a Plenity pill, the hydrogel formula absorbs water, and increases in size while in your stomach, occupying approximately 25 percent of your stomach’s capacity, thus creating the sensation of being full. Therefore, you eat less, contributing to a smaller calorie intake.
A Summary of Plenity’s Claims
Gelesis claims that Plenity does the following:
- It makes you feel full.
- The drug helps you eat less, decreasing your caloric intake.
- Manages or reduces your weight.
- It comprises natural ingredients.
Studies for the medicine, according to the official Gelesis website, demonstrated clinically meaningful weight loss with the treatment. These studies, according to the manufacturers, demonstrate the medication’s efficacy.
The Study That Supports These Claims
According to Endotext, Plenity is one of the few weight-loss drugs approved by the FDA. As a result, the product had to go through some research to show its efficacy, including studies published in The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics, and the American Diabetes Association.
As per the Gelesis website, 59 percent of research participants had a clinically significant reaction to the medication. These people lost an average of 10 percent of their body weight, with 26 percent of the group being categorized as super-responders, meaning they lost at least 14 percent of their body weight.
Gelesis100, the absorbent hydrogel in the formulation, was shown to be safe and suitable for public health in another study that was published in Obesity: A Research Journal.
The Pros and Cons
To make an informed decision about whether to choose Plenity as a weight loss solution or not, it is important to take note of the pros and cons.
Pros
- It is backed by science and has been approved by the FDA.
- The product is simple to use. Just pop a pill to feel satiated.
- Many reviews claim that people have lost weight with Plenity.
- If you become a Plenity member, you get access to great benefits like a weight loss goal tracker, guides and information from experts, and an online community that provides support throughout your weight loss journey.
- You can still enjoy the foods that you love while taking Plenity, as it does not require rigorous diets.
Cons
- Plenity is only available for those who have a prescription, which means that you are forced to discuss your concerns with your doctor.
- The product has limited use. It can only be used to treat those who are overweight or obese and cannot be used by those just looking to lose a few pounds.
- It does not provide any support to other systems in the body and focuses primarily on the digestive system.
Side Effects Associated with Plenity
Some side effects were noted by users. As this drug targets the gastrointestinal tract specifically, the side effects relate only to this system. Many users who reported side effects did admit that they wore off with continued use of the drug.
A summary of the side effects of Plenity is as follows.
- Constipation
- Loose bowel
- Abdominal distention
- Infrequent bowel movements
- Flatulence
- Nausea
- Pain in the abdomen
Safety Information to Keep in Mind
Women who are pregnant or allergic to the components (cellulose, titanium dioxide, sodium stearyl fumarate, gelatin, or citric acid) should not take Plenity. Consult your physician before taking Plenity and be sure to follow instructions carefully. Take the drug on an empty stomach, or with food as instructed by your physician.
If you experience severe side effects or experience an allergic reaction to the medication, contact your healthcare provider immediately, and seek medical attention.
Where to Buy Plenity
Plenity requires a prescription, so you need to answer the questionnaire on the website and follow the instructions. You are then directed to a healthcare provider who can assess your health concerns and determine whether you are eligible for the drug.
The cost of the Plenity diet pill is determined by your insurance coverage, out-of-pocket expenses, and co-pay. You may have to pay cash for the drug if your health insurance does not cover it, and it can be a high monthly cost.
Treatment with Plenity costs $98 a month, or $1.75 per meal. While the company does claim that one serving or dose is a “meal”, this is not true because it does not constitute an entire meal, since it only fills 25 percent of your stomach’s capacity.
The drug is now also available through Roman, a telehealth company. Gelesis decided to sell Plenity through Roman to reduce marketing and sales costs, so the cost to the consumer could be kept relatively low.
Refund Policy
Unfortunately, Gelesis does not offer a refund on Plenity purchases, and all sales are final. However, if you have received an incorrect prescription or the product is damaged, you can contact the company for a refund or a replacement.
Contact Details Gelesis
If you would like to contact Gelesis to find out more about this product, or to lodge a complaint, you can contact them using the following contact information.
- Email address: plenitycare@ro.co
- Complaints: (424)-347-6299
- More information on how to use the product: 1-844-753-6489
- Website: https://www.myplenity.com/
- Blog: https://www.myplenity.com/blog
What Customers Say
Most users found Plenity to be useful in aiding weight loss, so the feedback is mostly positive. However, some users did complain about the product being pricey, while others reported experiencing side effects such as flatulence and bloating. Some said that these side effects tend to fade as your body adapts to the drug.
Another thing that users liked about this product was that it did not restrict them in terms of what they could eat. With this drug, weight loss is still possible while enjoying your favorite foods.
Users reported feeling full between meals, and were able to make smarter eating choices, which led them to lose more weight.
The Verdict
Regarding those who are overweight or obese, weight loss can be extremely difficult through calorie restriction diets and exercise regimes. Oftentimes, obesity comes with additional complications such as insulin resistance, and diabetes that can increase cravings for sweet food.
The problem with this, however, is that it plunges you deeper into the pit of weight gain. This leads to even more complications, such as heart disease, strokes, and chronic inflammatory diseases. Breaking this vicious cycle can be extremely difficult.
Gelesis has released a product that is inspired by nature and backed by science. Plenity is an FDA-approved drug for the treatment of obesity in individuals with a BMI between 25 and 40 kg/m2. It has proved to be an effective drug to aid weight loss and is certainly worth a try if you are struggling to shed those extra pounds.
Citric acid is most definitely NOT vitamin C. Ascorbic acid is.
I am not sure how my comment may or may not help but $100 per month is way too much for no change in my weight nor behaviour. I took 3 pills (1 box) even 3 pills (2 boxes) I am not full, I am hungry and nervous. I went even to 9 pills (3 boxes) which is not even an option on the website and no hunger curbing. No whatsoever. My experience was really bad with this product I have purchased for 5 months now.
I just received my package, and after reading these comments I must know, if I am like these other people and do not lose weight can I stop with this and not have to purchase anymore than what I already have bought?