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Is Plenity like Metamucil?

In the form of Plenity, it forms a mass that's more like vegetables you've eaten than a glass of Metamucil you might drink as a fiber supplement. Thus, in the form of Plenity, a superabsorbent hydrogel can be a safe, nonsystemic tool for modest weight loss.

conscienhealth.org - Hydrogels, Balloons, and Fiber in Obesity Care - ConscienHealth

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Hydrogels, Balloons, and Fiber in Obesity Care

This is a time of great change in obesity care. Right now, semaglutide is on its way to becoming a blockbuster new drug. That’s because it can help people with obesity control their condition better – with more weight loss – than older anti-obesity medicines. But at the same time, new non-drug, non-systemic options with modest effectiveness are making their way into the market for obesity care based on the technology of superabsorbent hydrogels. Some of these look like a pill, but they have more in common with a gastric balloon than a medicine. A new paper by Louis Aronne and colleagues in Obesity Science and Practice offers the scientific background on this distinctive technology. This is the technology behind the product called Plenity.

Going Beyond Fiber

The interest in a role for dietary fiber in managing obesity dates back to the 1970s and before. It has continues stronger than ever with attention to the interaction between fiber, the microbiome, and obesity. But superabsorbent hydrogels are not the same as dietary fiber. Whereas dietary fibers form a viscous liquid in the gut, a superabsorbent hydrogel is different. When it absorbs water, it forms a semi-solid gel. In the form of Plenity, it forms a mass that’s more like vegetables you’ve eaten than a glass of Metamucil you might drink as a fiber supplement. Thus, in the form of Plenity, a superabsorbent hydrogel can be a safe, nonsystemic tool for modest weight loss. In the 24-week GLOW study, people with overweight and mild obesity lost 6.4% of their starting weight. In contrast, evidence that fiber supplements produce clinically meaningful weight loss is lacking.

Future Possibilities

Aronne et al describe ongoing work to make use of superabsorbent hydrogels obesity care: “Three approaches in development utilize superabsorbent hydrogel technologies to support an intragastric balloon‐like structure, solely occupying space in the stomach and displacing the meal: (1) a pufferfish-inspired device; (2) Epitomee, a pH‐sensitive self‐expanding hydrogel device; and (3) a light‐degradable hydrogel used to control balloon deflation. These new approaches that utilize superabsorbent hydrogel technology offer a wide range of clinical applicability and have the potential to broaden the weight management treatment landscape.” This is fascinating stuff. In obesity care, one size does not fit all. Surgery is very effective, but many people shy away from it. Anti-obesity meds are becoming more and more effective, but some people simply don’t like taking drugs. So having non-drug, non-surgical options that can be effective and safe is a good thing. Viscoelastic properties of superabsorbent hydrogel, figure 1 from Arrone et al, 2021, in Obesity Science and Practice, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Editor’s note: ConscienHealth’s founder, Ted Kyle, has provided consulting services to Gelesis, Inc, the makers of Plenity, though Gelesis had no role in the content of this post. Subscribe by email to follow the accumulating evidence and observations that shape our view of health, obesity, and policy. Leave This Blank: Leave This Blank Too: Do Not Change This: Your email:

December 8, 2021

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Is there anything similar to Plenity?

Plenity is a medication that promotes fullness and Qsymia is a combination appetite suppressant/stimulant and seizure medication. Side effects of Plenity and Qsymia that are similar include stomach/abdominal pain or upset, constipation, diarrhea, and indigestion.

rxlist.com - Plenity vs. Qsymia Treatment for Obesity: Differences & Side Effects

Are Plenity and Qsymia the Same Thing?

Plenity (cellulose and citric acid) and Qsymia (phentermine and topiramate extended-release) are used as adjuncts to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in overweight and obese adults. Plenity and Qsymia belong to different drug classes. Plenity is a medication that promotes fullness and Qsymia is a combination appetite suppressant/stimulant and seizure medication. Side effects of Plenity and Qsymia that are similar include stomach/abdominal pain or upset, constipation, diarrhea, and indigestion. Side effects of Plenity that are different from Qsymia include abdominal distension, bloating, irregular bowel movements, changes in frequency and consistency of bowel movements, cramping, difficulty swallowing, belching, gas, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and vomiting. Side effects of Qsymia that are different from Plenity include mood changes such as depression, trouble sleeping (insomnia), confusion, dizziness, anxiety, tiredness, irritability, numbness or tingly feeling, altered sense of taste, unpleasant taste in your mouth, dry mouth, headache, upper respiratory tract infection, runny or stuffy nose, sinus infection, back pain, flu symptoms, bronchitis, fatigue, nausea, cough, urinary tract infection (UTI), blurred vision, pain in extremities, rash, muscle spasms, thirst, eye pain, dry eyes, palpitations, hair loss, loss of appetite, changes in menstrual periods, muscle pain, neck pain, and problems with concentration, attention, memory or speech.

Plenity may interact with other oral medications taken at the same time.

Qsymia may interact with birth control pills, other drugs that make you drowsy (opioid medications, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, or medicines for anxiety or seizures), acetazolamide, methazolamide, zonisamide, valproic acid or divalproex sodium, diuretics (water pills), and insulin or oral diabetes medicines.

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