Medications for Weight Loss: A Complete Guide (2024)

Medications for weight loss, such as orlistat (Xenical), semaglutide (Ozempic), and tirzepatide (Zepbound), can be effective. However, they may not be suitable for everyone. Doctors may recommend medication if you have obesity or overweight, and other treatment approaches haven’t helped.

Though they can be effective, weight loss medications are not safe or right for everyone. Your medical team can help determine the best weight loss treatment for you.

Read on to learn more about the many medications for weight loss, including how they work, their effectiveness, and their safety.

Naltrexone-bupropion is an oral medication that combines an antidepressant and a medication to help manage alcohol or drug misuse. It can help with weight loss by making you feel full sooner or limiting hunger.

Naltrexone-bupropion can be effective. A 2022 study Trusted Source The Lancet Highly respected journal, Expert written journal, Peer reviewed journal Go to source linked naltrexone-bupropion to higher rates of weight loss compared to a placebo in four trials over 56 weeks.

By the 16th week, 45.8% of participants experienced a drop in weight of 5% or more, and 11.9% saw weight decrease of 10% or more.

Side effects of naltrexone-bupropion can include:

• constipation or diarrhea
• nausea or vomiting
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• headache
• increased blood pressure
• increased heart rate
• insomnia
• liver damage
• worsened suicidal thoughts

Experts do not recommend the medication if you:

• have seizures or unmanaged high blood pressure
• have a history of anorexia or bulimia nervosa
• take opioid medications
• are experiencing withdrawal from alcohol or drugs
• are already taking bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban)

Read more about the prescription criteria for weight loss medications.

Orlistat is a medication taken orally that can decrease the amount of fat the body absorbs from food.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Trusted Source Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Governmental authority Go to source has approved a lower-dose form of orlistat for adults with overweight under the brand name Alli. It is the only FDA-approved weight loss medication that does not require a prescription. Still, always talk with a pharmacist or doctor before using a new medication or supplement for weight loss, even if it is available over the counter (OTC).

Alongside lifestyle approaches, orlistat can help reduce weight. It may also help with other conditions, such as:

• high cholesterol
• high blood pressure
• diabetes
• heart disease

Side effects of orlistat can include:

• gas
• diarrhea
• leaking oily stool
• stomach pain
• rarely, liver injury

Orlistat is not recommended for people taking the immunosuppressive medication cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, SandIMMUNE).

Also, orlistat can decrease the absorption of some nutrients. As a result, you may need to take supplements that provide beta-carotene and vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Phentermine-topiramate is another oral weight loss medication. It consists of two drugs that reduce appetite or make you feel full sooner.

A 2021 meta-analysis Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source reported an overall average weight loss of about 17 pounds (lb) when participants took phentermine-topiramate. However, the exact amount of weight loss depended on the dose of the medication.

Common side effects of phentermine-topiramate include:

• dizziness
• tingling in the hands or feet
• difficulty sleeping
• dry mouth
• taste changes
• constipation

It is unsafe for people who:

• are planning a pregnancy
• are pregnant or nursing
• have glaucoma
• have hyperthyroidism

Qysmia is classified as a schedule IV controlled substance, meaning it has some potential for misuse or dependence. Doctors may prescribe a only limited amount.

Tirzepatide can help reduce appetite and is usually given via a weekly injection.

According to a 2022 study Trusted Source The New England Journal of Medicine Highly respected journal, Expert written journal, Peer reviewed journal Go to source, participants with a high body mass index (BMI) saw a 15-20.9% decrease in weight after 72 weeks, depending on the dosage of tirzepatide.

Though there were side effects, researchers said they were mostly mild to moderate and occurred mostly when increasing the dosage.

Some side effects linked to tirzepatide include:

• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea
• constipation
• stomach pain
• low blood sugar, which may cause dizziness, mood changes, and sweating

Also, though the FDA has approved Mounjaro for diabetes, weight loss treatment is an off-label use. Off-label drug use is when an FDA-approved medication is prescribed for a purpose other than what it’s approved for. As a result, some insurance providers may not cover Mounjaro if you do not have a diabetes diagnosis.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists are diabetes medications. A 2022 meta-analysis states that GLP-1 agonists can be effective for weight loss. In 22 trials, 50.2% of the 17,183 participants experienced weight loss of 5% body mass or more, and 17.5% saw weight loss of 10% or more.

Side effects of GLP-1 agonists can include:

• nausea
• diarrhea or constipation
• stomach pain
• headache
• fatigue
• increased heart rate
• increased chance of pancreatitis

The following GLP-1 agonist medications have been approved for weight loss.

Liraglutide can mimic the action of the GLP-1 hormone, helping reduce appetite. It is taken as a daily injection.

Semaglutide works much like liraglutide and helps reduce appetite. It involves having a weekly injection.

Semaglutide is not safe for use if you take other GLP-1 agonists, products containing semaglutide, or prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) products for weight loss.

Like Mounjaro, the FDA has approved Ozempic for diabetes treatment only, so not all insurance providers will cover it for weight loss.

Setmelanotide works by increasing the feeling of fullness and decreasing appetite. It may also increase the rate at which the body burns calories.

Doctors prescribe setmelanotide only to people with obesity due to specific genetic conditions.

As with many other medications, weight loss medications can have both pros and cons.

Benefits may include:

• Weight loss medications can be effective when used alongside lifestyle approaches.
• Apart from Mounjaro and Ozempic, the FDA has approved these medications for weight loss, meaning their safety, effectiveness, and quality have been checked.
• Some medications used for weight loss may also offer other health benefits, such as improved cholesterol levels.

Limitations may include:

• Weight loss medications are not safe or effective for everyone, and you must meet specific criteria to get a prescription.
• Most often, people need to follow a diet recommended by their doctor and get regular physical activity alongside weight loss medications.
• Some people experience side effects, some of which can be serious.
• More research is needed to understand the long-term safety and effectiveness of medications for weight loss.
• GLP-1 agonists need to be taken continuously Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source to maintain results. Stopping their use can lead to weight regain, but continued use can be expensive.

Weight loss medications can be an effective treatment for overweight and obesity.

They are available as oral or injected medications and work by reducing appetite, limiting nutrient absorption, and increasing the calories you burn.

However, weight loss medications can cause side effects and may not be safe or effective for everyone. Talk with your medical team for advice on medications for weight loss.