Joy Bauer, MS, RDN, CDN, Plenity Chief Nutrition Officer, TV personality, and #1 New York Times bestselling author.
A complement to your practice.
Plenity is unique. It helps people feel fuller and eat less while working in concert with your nutrition and lifestyle recommendations — balanced nutrition, mindful eating, and right-sized portions in conjunction with diet and exercise.
Exclusive RDN newsletter with weight management news + updates from Plenity
Targets a growing problem
Without treatment, adults with excess weight continue to gain weight and move towards obesity and severe obesity (class III).
Tackles a weight loss obstacle
Plenity is not a drug or a fad diet, it’s 3 capsules that patients take twice a day with 16 oz. of water 20 minutes before lunch and dinner. It helps address a major challenge to weight loss—feeling full.
Plenity has a proven safety profile
As an FDA-cleared, naturally derived, non-pharmacologic, stimulant-free weight management aid, it passes through the digestive tract without being absorbed, helping patients feel fuller and eat less.*
Plenity is effective
In GLOW, a randomized, double-blind, placebo- controlled study, ~6 out of 10 adult responders lost at least 5% of their body weight with an average weight loss of ~10% (about 22 pounds)1 in six months. Patients who continued taking Plenity kept the weight off for 12 months.†1
*There was no difference in overall occurrence or severity of side effects compared to placebo; however, gastrointestinal side effects occurred more frequently in patients using Plenity. The most common side effects were diarrhea, abdominal distension, infrequent bowel movements, and flatulence.1
†The GLOW pivotal study was a 6-month, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pivotal trial assessing the safety and efficacy of Plenity. Plenity (n=223) or placebo (n=213) was administered to 436 adults with excess weight or obesity, with or without type 2 diabetes.
Primary endpoints: 1) at least 35% of patients on Plenity achieving ≥5% weight loss, and 2) whether individuals receiving Plenity lost 3% more of their body weight than individuals receiving placebo.1
How does Plenity work?
Plenity is a superabsorbent hydrogel made from naturally derived building blocks—carboxymethyl cellulose and citric acid. In the stomach, the hydrogel particles absorb water and expand to 100x their weight—occupying approximately a quarter of the average stomach volume—which helps induce a feeling of fullness. The particles remain fully hydrated through the small intestine, maintaining that feeling of satiety, before degrading in the large intestine and being eliminated from the body like waste. See how Plenity works.
Not a magic pill or a quick fix.
Plenity can help the right patients feel full, rather than deprived. Criteria for Plenity include those with excess weight or obesity (BMI between 25 to 40 kg/m2) and who can commit to diet and exercise.
Bridget’s success story.
FAQs for RDNs
Did Plenity work in clinical trials?
Plenity is the first and only FDA-cleared weight management tool made from naturally derived building blocks—carboxymethyl cellulose and citric acid. In a clinical study,** nearly 6 out of 10 people who took Plenity lost at least 5% of their body weight. Their average weight loss was ~10% (about 22 pounds).1
** Plenity or placebo was given to 436 adults who were overweight or had obesity, with and without type 2 diabetes, over 24 weeks in conjunction with diet and exercise. The study was designed to measure:
- whether at least 35% of individuals receiving Plenity lost 5% of their body weight
- in clinical trials, 59% of Plenity responders lost on average ~10% of their body weight (22 lbs.) in six months
- whether individuals receiving Plenity lost 3% more of their body weight than individuals receiving placebo
- individuals on Plenity lost on average 6% vs individuals on placebo, who lost on average who lost on average 4% (P=0.0007).
What are the side effects of Plenity?
In the pivotal clinical study of Plenity, there was no difference between treatment and placebo group in the overall occurrence of side effects; however, gastrointestinal side effects occurred more frequently in patients using Plenity.1 The most common side effects were diarrhea, bloating, infrequent bowel movements, and/or flatulence. These side effects were usually mild to moderate in intensity and resolved in a matter of days or weeks, without discontinuation of Plenity.
Who can take Plenity?
Plenity® is indicated to aid weight management in adults with excess weight or obesity, a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25–40 kg/m², when used in conjunction with diet and exercise.
What are the contraindications for Plenity?
Plenity is contraindicated in patients who are pregnant or are allergic to cellulose, citric acid, sodium stearyl fumarate, gelatin, or titanium dioxide.
How much does Plenity cost?
Plenity costs $98 for a 4-week supply or about $1.75 per meal. Or your patients can save 15% if they choose the 12-week supply ($1.48/ per meal).
Does Plenity affect nutrient absorption?
In Plenity’s clinical study there were no significant differences in the serum levels of vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B9, B12, and D between those taking Plenity and those taking the placebo in subjects whose vitamin levels were measured.1
Is Plenity just another form of fiber supplement?
Plenity has a different mechanism of action and different physical properties than fiber supplements. A simulation study was conducted to compare Plenity with fiber supplements, specifically glucomannan, guar gum, and psyllium. Plenity particles are capable of absorbing approximately 100 times their weight in water. Once hydrated, Plenity particles also have greater elasticity, or firmness, than the studied fibers. The hydrated particles form a semi-solid gel structure that travels intact through the stomach and small intestine.2
Learn more about the concept of biomimicry and Plenity:
Does the Telehealth Clinical Evaluation screen for eating disorders among applicants?
Yes, the Telehealth Clinical Evaluation includes an eating disorder screening question. Based on the patient’s answer, follow-up questions may be asked to ascertain if Plenity is appropriate for the patient.
Is Plenity appropriate for patients who have had bariatric surgery?
Prior bariatric surgery is not a contraindication for Plenity. Patients who have complications from prior gastrointestinal surgery that could affect GI transit and motility should consult their healthcare provider.
Two ways patients can start Plenity.
Telehealth
We make it easy for your patients to start their journey. Have them go to MyPlenity.com for a free telehealth consultation. A qualified prescriber will determine if Plenity is appropriate for them, and they’ll have an answer within 24 hours.
We’ve also created a downloadable patient handout for you to share, to help them better understand if Plenity could fit into their lifestyle.
With their prescriber
Healthcare professionals can prescribe Plenity, but not all of them have learned about how Plenity works and how it could benefit their appropriate patients.
This downloadable prescriber handout helps your medical partners make an informed decision about adding Plenity to their treatment options for each patient.
Exclusive RDN newsletter with weight management news + updates from Plenity
Intended Use
Plenity® is indicated to aid weight management in adults with excess weight or obesity, a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25–40 kg/m², when used in conjunction with diet and exercise.
Important Safety Information
- Plenity is contraindicated in patients who are pregnant or are allergic to cellulose, citric acid, sodium stearyl fumarate, gelatin, or titanium dioxide
- Plenity may alter the absorption of medications. Read Sections 6 and 8.3 of the Instructions for Use carefully
- Avoid use in patients with: esophageal anatomic anomalies, including webs, diverticuli, and rings; suspected strictures (such as patients with Crohn’s disease); and complications from prior gastrointestinal (GI) surgery that could affect GI transit and motility
- Use with caution in patients with active gastrointestinal conditions such as gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), ulcers, or heartburn
- The overall incidence of AEs in the Plenity group was no different than the placebo group
- The most common side effects were diarrhea, distended abdomen, infrequent bowel movements, and flatulence
Rx Only. For the safe and proper use of Plenity, refer to the Healthcare Professionals Instructions for Use.
- Greenway FL, Aronne LJ, Raben A, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of Gelesis100: a novel nonsystemic oral hydrogel for weight loss. Obesity. 2019;27(2):205-216. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.22347
- Demitri C, et al. Presented at the European Congress on Obesity; 2017; Porto, Portugal. Abstract P938