You'll get questions about new Plenity for weight loss...as patients work to keep New Year's resolutions.
Each 3-capsule dose of Plenity consists of thousands of cellulose hydrogel particles that expand to occupy about a quarter of the stomach. It's taken 20 to 30 min before lunch AND dinner with 16 oz of water.
But Plenity is an Rx medical device...not a drug. It's not absorbed or metabolized...the particles just pass through the GI tract.
Be aware, FDA's criteria for device efficacy and safety are different than meds. This could be why Plenity is labeled for adults with a BMI of 25 to 40...even though it lacks data below a BMI of 27.
Continue to recommend lifestyle changes first...not Plenity.
Explain that 6 months of Plenity leads to about 2% more weight loss than placebo, or 4 lb for a 200 lb patient...similar to OTC Alli (orlistat).
Other weight loss meds (phentermine, Qsymia, Saxenda, etc) are generally more effective than Plenity...but may have more risks.
Plus Plenity costs about $100/month...and should NOT be used if GI anatomy or motility may be altered (Crohn's disease, etc). Also caution about use in patients with GERD or ulcers.
If patients want to try Plenity, educate about GI side effects (bloating, flatulence, etc)...and not to take any meds at the same time as Plenity, since it may impact med absorption.
Expect Plenity to hit pharmacies later this year. For now, it's being shipped to patients after a telehealth visit on the Plenity website.
If patients on Plenity aren't seeing a benefit after about 2 months, suggest stopping...it isn't likely to be effective for them.
See how Plenity stacks up in our chart, Weight Loss Products.
- Obesity (Silver Spring) 2019;27(2):205-16
- www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/reviews/DEN180060.pdf (12-17-20)
- Obesity (Silver Spring) 2011;19(9):1796-803