Medically reviewed by Robert Fortino, DO · Updated September 2026
At our Philadelphia and South Jersey medical weight loss offices, patients quickly notice something different: we don’t rush visits, we don’t hand out quick fixes, and we don’t use a one-size-fits-all plan.
Instead, you get longer visits, deeper conversations, food journal reviews and strategies built around your life. Dr. Robert Fortino, who has nearly 30 years of experience in medical weight loss, and our nurse practitioners guide every step.
For appropriate patients, a prescription appetite suppressant may be one part of a medically supervised weight management program. However, medication is only one piece of a supportive program designed to help you regain control of your hunger, habits and health. Learn how our phentermine doctor program works at our Philadelphia and Turnersville, NJ offices.
How Prescription Appetite Suppressants Work for Weight Loss
Prescription appetite suppressants are medications that act on the brain to reduce hunger, making it easier to follow a reduced-calorie eating plan. Most work by influencing brain chemicals such as norepinephrine or dopamine that control hunger signals. When prescribed appropriately, they may help:
- Reduce hunger and cravings
- Improve portion control
- Create more structured eating patterns
- Quiet what many patients call constant “food noise”
Overeating is often driven by everyday triggers such as stress, boredom, nighttime snacking and unstructured meals. As a result, reducing hunger can make it easier to build a healthier relationship with food.
FDA-Approved Prescription Appetite Suppressants
Common FDA-approved options include:
- Phentermine
- Phendimetrazine
- Diethylpropion
- Phentermine/topiramate
- Bupropion/naltrexone (not a stimulant; it acts on the brain’s reward pathways)
Several of these are controlled substances. Your provider will determine which medication, if any, is appropriate for you.
A Medical Weight Loss Plan Built Around You
Every plan starts with a complete evaluation and considers your:
- Medical history and metabolic needs
- Appetite patterns and emotional triggers
- Work schedule and family responsibilities
- Past dieting challenges
- Comfort level with medication
- Weight loss goals
At each follow-up visit, Dr. Fortino and our nurse practitioners review your weight trends, food journals, hunger patterns, sleep, stress, medication response and progress.
Research shows that ongoing follow-up plays an important role in long-term weight management. In a randomized clinical trial of more than 1,000 adults, people who received regular personal follow-up after losing weight regained less weight over 30 months than those using a self-directed approach.
Follow-Up Visits: Every 2 to 4 Weeks
Patients are typically seen:
- Every 2 weeks during early treatment
- Every 3 to 4 weeks once stable
- Weekly if they need closer support
Frequent visits allow for early detection of side effects, blood pressure and heart rate checks, timely dose adjustments and ongoing accountability.
Food Journals and Accountability
Food journals are a core part of the program. They help identify eating patterns, emotional triggers, hidden calories, portion sizes and the times of day when hunger spikes. Many patients also text meal photos, so our team can guide you between visits.
In addition, research has found that people who consistently track what they eat tend to lose more weight than those who track less consistently.
Meal Prep and the Double-Meal Strategy
Long workdays, kids’ activities and family obligations make healthy eating hard. Meal prepping helps you avoid last-minute takeout, control portions and reduce nighttime snacking. Even simple steps, like pre-cooking protein, make a difference.
Cooking double meals once or twice a week is one of the easiest tools for busy patients. You get automatic leftovers for lunch, a healthy dinner on nights with no time to cook, and fewer reasons to eat out.
Weight Maintenance After Appetite Suppressants
Reaching your goal is not the finish line. As you approach it, our maintenance plan focuses on the protein, nutrition and activity habits that help you hold your progress. Any medication use during maintenance is decided by your provider and taken only as prescribed.
Transitioning To or From GLP-1 Medications
Some patients move from GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide or tirzepatide to an appetite suppressant, while others move the other way. When stopping a GLP-1, appetite often returns quickly. A carefully managed transition, monitored by your provider, may help with hunger control during that time. Individual responses vary.
Who Should Not Take Appetite Suppressants
Prescription appetite suppressants may not be appropriate for people with:
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Heart disease or irregular heart rhythms
- An overactive thyroid
- Glaucoma
- Severe anxiety disorders
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- A history of stimulant or drug misuse
- Recent MAOI use
Your provider reviews your full medical history before prescribing.
What Makes Our Practice Different
Patients tell us they feel seen, heard and supported, not rushed or judged. What sets us apart:
- A doctor and team who live the healthy lifestyle they teach
- Longer, more personal appointments
- Food journal review at every visit
- Support between visits
- Strong, Not Skinny™: protecting muscle while you lose fat
Frequently Asked Questions
Are prescription appetite suppressants safe?
Prescription appetite suppressants carry potential risks, side effects and contraindications, and they aren’t right for everyone. Your provider reviews your medical history, medications and health conditions before deciding whether treatment is appropriate.
Are appetite suppressants addictive?
Some prescription appetite suppressants are controlled substances with potential for misuse and dependence. Take them only as prescribed and under medical supervision. Tell your provider about any history of substance misuse.
Where can I find a prescription appetite suppressant near me?
Dr. Fortino and his nurse practitioners prescribe appetite suppressants after a complete in-person evaluation at our South Philadelphia weight loss clinic and Turnersville, NJ weight loss clinic.
Will I still be hungry?
Many patients notice less hunger and fewer cravings, although responses vary. Your provider adjusts your plan based on how you respond.
How much weight can I expect to lose?
Weight loss varies by person, medication and how closely you follow your plan. No specific amount can be promised. Individual results vary.
Can GLP-1 medications be combined with appetite suppressants?
Don’t combine weight loss medications on your own. Combining medications isn’t part of their FDA-approved labeling, and any change to your treatment should be decided by your provider.
How often will I be seen?
Every 2 to 4 weeks, and weekly for some patients.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a licensed medical provider before beginning or changing any medication or treatment program.
