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6 Best Over The Counter Phentermine Alternatives (2023 Upd.)

Michael Garrico
Published by Michael Garrico | Co-Founder & Marketing Director
Last updated: September 12, 2023
We personally test every product featured in our reviews and guides. By ordering products anonymously and getting a group of independent testers, we are able to get first-hand experience and provide data-driven recommendations. Learn more.

Phentermine diet pills are prescription weight loss medication, which makes them inaccessible to people who can't get the prescription.

Luckily, there are plenty of over-the-counter phentermine alternatives, many of which I’ve used and tested myself or with my clients, and in this article, I outlined those that consistently performed best over the years.

I’ve consulted with my dietitian and a few of my fitness colleagues, and I’ve compiled all of my past and present data here so you can see how phentermine alternatives stack up against this prescription weight-loss medication.

Let’s dive in.

Editor's Choice
PhenQ CTA supplement product
PhenQ
Effectiveness
5.0
Ingredients
4.9
Price
4.7
Overall Score 4.9
4.9
Click For Best Price
#2nd Best Choice
PhenGold CTA supplement product
PhenGold
Effectiveness
4.9
Ingredients
4.8
Price
4.6
Overall Score 4.8
4.8
Click For Best Price
#3rd Best Choice
Phen24 supplement products
Phen24
Effectiveness
4.7
Ingredients
4.8
Price
4.5
Overall Score 4.7
4.7
Click For Best Price

Our Top Products (September 2023)

1 - PhenQ (Editor's Choice)

PhenQ CTA supplement product
Effectiveness
5.0
Ingredients
4.9
Price
4.7
Overall Score 4.9
4.9

We reviewed PhenQ and found it to be the number one among our natural phentermine alternatives because I’ve consistently had the best results with my clients who integrated this product into their weight-loss regimen.

It has a clinically tested fat-burning formula with piperine and alpha-lacy reset, which makes it quite effective at targeting fat reserves [1].

Piperine, which comes from black pepper extract, is known for aiding fat and carbohydrate metabolism, ultimately leading to better utilization of fuel and improving exercise output and fat loss [2].

Piperine, one of the main components of pepper, has been shown to have diverse biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-atherosclerotic anti-obesity effects and blood lipid improvement in a variety of cell types and animal models.

- Jisu Kim, Physical Activity & Performance Institute

A proprietary complex called alpha-lacy reset contains alpha-lipoic acid, cysteine, and magnesium, which are combined to neutralize free radicals and help the body increase metabolism and, consequently, fat burning [3].

It also contains good amounts of caffeine and other stimulants, but none of them have given my clients any jitters or sleep problems so far.

My clients have consistently reported reduced cravings in between meals and a significantly increased rate of fat loss, which is why I always feel free and confident to recommend why I regard it as one of the best weight-loss supplements on the market.

Quick Facts:

  • L-Carnitine Fumarate : 150mg
  • Caffeine Anhydrous : 142.5mg
  • Niacin Powder : 8mg
  • Piperine Extract : 4.5mg
Pros
  • Suppresses appetite with science-backed ingredients
  • Improves metabolism and hinders the production of new fat
  • Increase energy output
  • A great mood booster
Cons
  • PhenQ is only available for purchase through the official website.

2 - PhenGold

PhenGold CTA supplement product
Effectiveness
4.9
Ingredients
4.8
Price
4.6
Overall Score 4.8
4.8

PhenGold is a very effective weight loss pill that claims to help elevate mood and improve mental focus. Users have reported increased energy to take on more tasks throughout the day and stay motivated.

The blend of vitamins fights hunger pangs and cravings, hence helping you shed weight more efficiently.

It contains Rhodiola Rosea and L-tyrosine, which were studied for their ability to improve focus and concentration, which should ultimately make the workouts easier to complete [4].

It also has green coffee beans, which contain natural antioxidants in the form of polyphenol compounds, which should be able to aid in recovery after strenuous workouts [5].

Most of my clients have been able to stay off snacks and meals for close to 8 hours after using PhenGold, and they also reported being able to do more reps and sets at the gym.

Quick Facts:

  • L-Tyrosine : 350mg
  • Rhodiola Rosea : 250mg
  • L-Theanine : 250mg
  • Cayenne Pepper : 200mg
Pros
  • Boosts metabolism and concentration
  • Targets fat around the midsection
  • Boosts energy and physical performance.
Cons
  • The caffeine content is a bit high for sensitive people

3 - Phen24

Phen24 supplement products
Effectiveness
4.7
Ingredients
4.8
Price
4.5
Overall Score 4.7
4.7

Phen24 is another natural phentermine alternative, but it is a specific weight loss supplement because you get separate Phen24 pills for the day and a different set that you take for the night.

These two sets of OTC diet pills have different fat-burning ingredients, which are combined to facilitate healthy weight loss over 24 hours.

Phen24 Day formula contains minerals such as zinc, manganese, and copper, primarily included to boost metabolism and increase muscle growth [6]. It also contains Guarana extract, which has been shown to increase metabolic rate by 3-11% over 12 hour period [7].

The night formula also contains many fat-burning ingredients, such as Green tea extract and Glucomannan, which some studies show can make you feel fuller and help you lose weight [8].

Although it is among very good natural OTC phentermine alternatives, in addition to significant weight loss, most of my clients primarily report eliminating insomnia and snoring problems, making them sleep better.

This pill has helped improve their sleeping patterns, and they no longer struggle with insomnia-related fatigue.

Quick Facts:

  • Manganese : 2 mg
  • Copper : 1mg
  • Iodine : 150 mcg
  • Guarana extract : 100mg
Pros
  • Improves mental focus
  • Prevents food cravings at night
  • Reduces stress levels
Cons
  • The daytime capsule contains stimulants that may be addictive

4 - Leanbean

LeanBean supplement product
Effectiveness
4.7
Ingredients
4.6
Price
4.6
Overall Score 4.6
4.6

LeanBean is an all-natural, vegan-friendly fat burner specifically designed to promote healthy weight loss in women.

This particular one can enable users to lose weight quickly, primarily by increasing fat metabolism.

My dietician informed me that by combining that with its ability to keep you fuller for hours, you are likely to notice significant weight loss within a short period.

According to testimonials on its official site, Leanbean improves digestion from a few days into its usage.

Leanbean also claims to help regulate blood sugar and blood pressure levels.

Most of my female clients I recommend this product were able to lose weight more quickly and they routinely experience increased energy and reduced fatigue.

Quick Facts:

  • Glucomannan : 100mg
  • Choline : 27.5mg
  • Garcinia Cambogia : 33.33mg
  • Acai Berry Extract : 6.67mg
Pros
  • Stops cravings and suppresses appetite
  • Improves digestion
  • Eliminates cellulite
Cons
  • Might result in bloating during the initial stages of use for some people

5 - Primeshred

Prime Shred supplement product CTA with TotalShape Logo overlay
Effectiveness
4.6
Ingredients
4.4
Price
4.5
Overall Score 4.5
4.5

Primeshred claims to help you achieve your desired physique by burning calories and stubborn fat to reveal lean muscles.

Primeshred weight loss pills also contain ingredients included to trigger thermogenesis, which causes the system to burn calories to increase body temperature [9].

It contains ingredients such as L-tyrosine, DMAE, and Rhodiola Rosea, which should be able to strengthen mind-muscle connection and alertness during the day [10].

With these benefits, you should be able to stay driven and produce more intense strength output to get the most out of your exercise routine [11].

Primeshred helped a few of my clients who managed to lose a noticeable amount of fat within two months, ranging from 8 to 15 pounds compared to the initial body weight.

In terms of fat loss, Primeshred scores an 8 out of 10 based on average weight loss among my clients.

Quick Facts:

  • Rhodiola Rosea Root : 250mg
  • Cayenne Pepper : 200mg
  • Dimethylethanolamine (DMAE) : 150mg
  • Vitamin B12 : 24 mcg
Pros
  • Preserves muscles
  • Improves energy and stamina
  • Alleviates stress
Cons
  • Results in dietary issues during the initial stages of usage

6 - Transparent Labs Fat Burner

Transparent Labs CTA supplement container
Effectiveness
4.5
Ingredients
4.5
Price
4.4
Overall Score 4.5
4.5

Transparent Labs Fat Burner is also a thermogenic supplement designed to increase energy levels, trigger the rise in metabolic rate, and improve focus while reducing cravings.

It contains some proven weight loss ingredients, such as Green tea extract, which some studies show can help with burning fat [12]. It also contains some thermogenic ingredients such as White Willow and caffeine anhydrous [13].

After using it for a few weeks, some of my clients noticed reduced appetite, which helped them limit their calorie intake. One of them lost about 10 lbs in two months which is a considerable reduction in fat as he managed to preserve all of his muscle mass.

Quick Facts:

  • Forslean : 250mg
  • 5-HTP : 150mg
  • White Willow : 120mg
  • Synephrine : HCl 25mg
Pros
  • Increases the rate of thermogenesis
  • Seems to speed up fat burning with preserving muscle mass
  • Improves gym performance
Cons
  • Not vegetarian-friendly

What Factors to Consider When Buying Natural Phentermine Alternatives?

Supplement Pills on a cart, buying online

Factors to consider when buying Natural Phentermine Alternatives are ingredients quality, manufacturer's reputation, and price.

Ingredients Quality

You need to be mindful of the quality of the weight loss ingredients that you put in your body at all times.

My advice is to opt for vegan-friendly supplements with 100% natural ingredients since they give the best results with little to no side effects, especially for people with conditions like high blood pressure.

Most Phentermine alternates contain high doses of caffeine and stimulants, so check the amount if you are sensitive as it may cause jitters [14].

Also, stay away from proprietary blends because transparency about the ingredients is the top priority when determining if the supplement is a good fit or not.

Manufacturer's Reputation

While there are emerging scam manufacturers, others have upheld a reputation for manufacturing effective supplements for years.

A good phentermine alternative is more likely produced by a long-standing brand that transparently shares all information about its products.

If some OTC diet pills have no customer reviews or if they just hit the market with some “too good to be true” claims, I’d highly advise you to avoid them.

Value for Money

Supplement pills on money

To determine the value for money, compare the price of the product to the amounts of the weight loss ingredients.

You should also calculate the price per serving and then see how many servings you get in one packaging.

That should give you a ballpark of what you need to spend on the supplement monthly, which is the actual value of the product.

In general, diet pills that are more expensive tend to contain more potent ingredients, but this is not always the case.

You should also take into the account things like brand reputation, ingredients sourcing, and if the products have any additives and fillers.

Brands that offer money-back guarantees essentially give you one layer of security if you end up not loving the product, so that’s another small factor to consider.

Third-Party Testing

It's important to opt for products that have undergone third-party testing.

This means that a third-party testing lab has analyzed the ingredients, manufacturing, and production of the product. This should be an assurance that the product is safe and of standard quality.

Through third-party testing, you protect yourself from consuming banned weight loss ingredients, and it confirms that a supplement is free of contaminants like heavy metals and bacteria.

When choosing a supplement, make sure to check for a third-party certification stamp on the labels.

Where Can I Get Phentermine Alternatives To Lose Weight?

You can get Phentermine alternatives to lose weight from natural supplement companies.

Rather than basing the ingredients on controlled medical ingredients, these companies have focused on achieving similar results to promote weight loss with completely natural herbs, minerals, and amino acids.

The main aim of these products is to naturally boost your metabolic rate and suppress appetite cravings that would otherwise lead to snacking.

And the best thing is that you don’t need any kind of prescription from your doctor to start taking these supplements.

FAQs

Are Phentermine Over-The-Counter Substitutes Scams?

No, Phentermine over-the-counter substitutes aren't scams when purchased from reputable manufacturers like the ones we listed above and are able to provide legitimate results. However, the market crops up with scams every day, which is why it's advisable to do thorough background research beforehand and check customer reviews as we've done above.

Who Can Take Phentermine Over-The-Counter Alternatives?

Any adult keen on losing weight fast can take phentermine alternatives. People with cardiovascular diseases and pregnant or nursing women shouldn’t use these top phentermine alternatives.

What Is the Closest Alternative to Phentermine?

The closest over-the-counter alternative to Phentermine is PhenQ. It works by mimicking all the benefits you can get from the real phentermine but with no side effects.

Are Phentermine Over-The-Counter Alternatives Addictive?

No, Phentermine over-the-counter alternatives are not addictive because the ingredients used to make these products are natural and don't contain addictive substances. Even caffeine present in these products is included in low enough doses to not cause dependence in most people.

Our #1 Phentermine Alternative

All the six otc phentermine alternatives are safe weight loss supplements meant to help you lose that weight and boost your mood and energy, posing no risk to your health.

That being said, one product did stand out in all of our testings over the years, and that’s PhenQ.

It has the most balanced array of science-backed ingredients combined to curb the food cravings and increase thermogenesis which reliably results in efficient weight loss.

That has been the case for most of my clients for the past couple of years, but I advise you to order yours and see how big of a difference it can make for your weight loss journey.

Our #1 Recommendation

PhenQ

PhenQ CTA supplement product
Effectiveness
5.0
Ingredients
4.9
Price
4.7
Overall Score 4.9
4.9
Pros
  • Suppresses appetite with science-backed ingredients
  • Improves metabolism and hinders the production of new fat
  • Increase energy output
  • A great mood booster
  • Get the BEST PRICE until the end of September
Cons
  • PhenQ is only available for purchase through the official website.
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