Which Medications Are FDA-Approved for Weight Loss?...

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Medically reviewed by Lindsay Cook, PharmDMedically reviewed by Lindsay Cook, PharmDThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved seven medications for weight loss and management. These medications typically help you control your appetite or help your body respond to the foods you eat. However, these drugs become more effective when you combine them with a well-balanced diet and regular physical activity.FDA-Approved Weight Loss MedicationsAll weight loss medications are not created equal. How much weight you lose depends on how the medications work in your body.On average, research shows you may lose anywhere from 3-12% of your starting body weight after one year of taking weight loss medications—and this weight reduction can benefit your overall health. Losing at least 5% of your body can help decrease your risk of developing chronic conditions like hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, and heart disease.Five of the seven medications approved for weight loss are based on body mass index (BMI). The BMI is a quick but incomplete measure of your overall health that calculates your weight in relation to your height. A higher BMI may indicate an increased risk of developing chronic conditions.BMI alone doesn’t consider how muscle mass, bone density, and body composition influence your weight. This is why your healthcare provider also considers your entire medical history when determining your overall health risk.You may be eligible for weight loss medications if you have a:BMI of 30 or higher BMI of at least 27 and a weight-related condition, such as hypertension, diabetes, or high cholesterolDepending on your overall health status, weight management goals, and insurance coverage, your provider may prescribe one of these seven medications: Xenical (orlistat), Qysmia (phentermine-topiramate), Contrave (naltrexone-bupropion), Saxenda (liraglutide), Wegovy (semaglutide), Zepbound (tirzepatide), or Imcivree (setmelanotide).These medications are often prescription-only, meaning you can't get them over-the-counter (OTC) at your local pharmacy.Xenical (Orlistat)If you get a prescription for Xenical, you will need to take the medicine orally (by mouth) three times a day with food. This medication works by decreasing the amount of fat your body absorbs after eating.Over 40% of people taking this drug have achieved a 5% reduction in their starting body weight compared to those taking a placebo (a pill that contains no medication). Xenical is safe and effective for adults and children ages 12 and older, but side effects include oily stools and flatulence (farting).Qsymia (Phentermine-Topiramate)Qsymia is a once-daily oral weight loss medication approved for adults and adolescents 12 years and older who meet the BMI criteria. This medicine works on receptors in the brain to help decrease your appetite and make you feel fuller longer.If you get a prescription for Qysmia, you'll receive the lowest dosage to start. Your dosage will gradually increase as your body becomes more accustomed to the medication.Along with weight loss, Qysmia might help reduce blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar. The medication has potential side effects, including:Increased heart rateInsomniaDizzinessA tingling feeling in the skinChange of tasteConstipationDry mouthIf you haven’t achieved a 5% decrease in starting body weight after 12 weeks of Qsymia at the maximum dosage, your provider will gradually stop the medication and help you choose a different weight loss treatment.Contrave (Naltrexone-Bupropion)Contrave is a twice-daily medication approved only for adults meeting BMI criteria. This medication helps you lose weight by regulating your food intake. It’s common for your healthcare provider to start you with one tablet daily and increase it to two tablets as your body gets used to the drug.Studies found that over 50% of people using Contrave experience a 5% reduction in their starting body weight. Possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, dizziness, and dry mouth.Saxenda (Liraglutide)Saxenda was the first glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist approved for chronic weight management in adults and children 12 years and older meeting BMI criteria. It is a daily injection that works by regulating appetite and decreasing the amount of food consumed.More than 63% of Saxenda users achieved a 5% decrease in their initial body weight. Like other weight loss medications, side effects like nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain may occur.The starting dose of Saxenda is 0.6 milligrams (mg) daily. This lower dose allows your body time to adjust to the medication. Your healthcare provider will slowly increase your dose every week until you reach the maintenance dose of 3 mg daily. If your body can’t tolerate this dose, your provider may recommend you stop using Saxenda and recommend another weight loss medication to help you reach your goals.Wegovy (Semaglutide)Wegovy is an effective injection medication for weight loss. In fact, over 80% of people using Wegovy lost at least 5% of their body weight. This popular weight loss medication is also categorized as a GLP-1 and controls your appetite by slowing down your digestion. Adults and children over 12 years old living with obesity are eligible to take this drug.Like Saxenda, you’ll start at the lowest dose (0.25 mg) to get your body used to the medication and increase to a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg once a week. If you cannot adjust to the 2.4 mg dosage, your provider can decrease your maintenance dose to 1.7 mg weekly. However, side effects may include nausea, bloating, fatigue, and stomach aches.Zepbound (Tirzepatide)Zepbound is a glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP)/glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist used to help treat obesity in adults. This once-weekly weight loss medication was first in class. It decreases your appetite, makes you feel full longer, and causes you to eat less. Over 85% of people using Zepbound lost at least 5% of their starting body weight.The starting dose for Zepbound is 2.5 mg once a week. After you get used to the medication, your maintenance dose may range from 5-15 mg once a week, depending on how your body tolerates the drug. Side effects are similar to Saxenda and Wegovy and may include nausea, bloating, and diarrhea.Imcivree (Setmelanotide)Imcivree is a daily injectable medication that helps with weight loss in people with a confirmed genetic condition that causes an increase in body fat. Your provider will confirm your condition through genetic testing before starting this weight loss medication.Side effects include skin darkening, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, stomach pain, spontaneous penile erection, and injection site reaction.Other Medications Used for Weight LossIt’s not uncommon to see medications approved for the treatment of other health conditions (such as type 2 diabetes) being used to help with obesity. When medications are used to treat a condition other than the ones they have been FDA-approved to treat, it’s considered off-label use. However, this is a safe and common practice. Your provider may also prescribe you one of these medications to aid your weight loss goals:Mounjaro (tirzepatide)Ozempic (semaglutide)Victoza (liraglutide)How To Know if Weight Loss Medication Is Right For YouBefore starting a weight loss medication, talk with your healthcare provider about your overall health condition, weight management options, and goals. Your provider will likely ask you about your eating habits and physical activity.You'll likely need to make some adjustments to your diet and exercise plans to ensure that weight loss medications work effectively for you. This is also a good time to ask about potential costs, as some insurance plans don't yet cover weight loss drugs.Your provider will likely recommend eating a well-balanced diet and increasing your physical activity to see if these lifestyle habits alone help you manage your weight. If you don't see the results you want and you live with obesity, weight loss medications may be beneficial for you.Other Ways To Lose WeightIf you don’t wish to take weight loss medications, you can take other steps to manage your weight effectively. For example:Get regular exerciseParticipate in enjoyable workout classes, such as pilates, yoga, swimming, aerobics, or run clubsEat a well-balanced diet that is low in caloriesSafety and PrecautionsIt’s important to review your full medical history before starting any weight loss medication. This helps ensure that a weight loss drug will be safe and effective for you. Consider the following precautions:Get tested to check for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, liver and kidney functionTell your provider about your personal and family medical historyLet your provider know if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeedingReview your current medications with your provider to check for potential interactionsTalk to your provider regularly after you start a weight loss medication to report how you're feeling so they can adjust your dosage or change your medication as neededA Quick ReviewThe U.S. FDA has approved seven medications that are effective for weight loss. Healthcare providers use many measures to determine if weight loss drugs are right for you.Generally, living with obesity and having a high BMI make you eligible to take these drugs. However, your provider will take a look at your overall health condition to learn if these medications are safe to take. Keep in mind: for these medications to be effective, it's important to combine them with a well-balanced eating plan and regular exercise. For more Health.com news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Health.com.

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