You might be surprised to learn that makers of dietary supplements rarely do clinical trials. The promise of fast and easy weight loss is hard to resist. Sadhu, who has no connection to Novo Nordisk, plans to switch patients who are obese and have Type 2 diabetes to Wegovy. The labels for these drugs include a warning about pulmonary aspiration during general anesthesia or deep sedation (Food and Drug Administration, 2024). Body weight often plateaus before increasing again after treatment cessation (Christoffersen et al., 2022). Until now, most drugs have primarily focused on reducing energy intake through appetite suppression. Another Novo Nordisk medication, Ozempic, which is approved to help people with Type 2 diabetes manage their blood glucose (sugar) levels, also contains semaglutide — but at a lower dose than Wegovy.At Life Time on 23rd Street in Manhattan, Lead Personal Trainer Wilkins Petit-Frere uses the "InBody" to measure muscle mass, body fat and water content for his two clients on GLP-1 drugs.Percent weight reduction at 64 weeks1Bays said Wegovy appears far safer than earlier obesity drugs that "have gone down in flames" over safety problems.Popular GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic (semaglutide), Mounjaro (tirzepatide), and Trulicity (dulaglutide) receive Medicare coverage when prescribed for Type 2 diabetes management.Should medical therapies fail to achieve adequate weight loss, bariatric surgery is a final option for some people.In a study published earlier in the year involving almost 2,000 obese adults from 16 different countries, researchers reported that long-term treatment with the medicine led to almost 15 percent weight loss on average across the cohort. A lower-dose version of orlistat (Alli) is available over the counter. Orlistat works by changing how your body digests and absorbs fat. Common side effects include nausea, headache and constipation. The drug is sold under the brand name Xenical as a prescription and Alli as an over-the-counter drug. It was first approved in 1999 by the FDA for use with a prescription, and then in 2007, it was approved for over-the-counter use. Additionally, articles published within Cureus should not be deemed a suitable substitute for the advice of a qualified health care professional. Although more research into all of the aforementioned medications is needed, current data provide sufficient evidence to support their use. Currently, no clear guidelines for the pharmacotherapy of obesity exist and such studies could help develop them. Keep in mind that your insurer may require prior authorization or have you try other treatments before you can get coverage. ACA marketplace plans aren’t required to offer obesity medication coverage, but some plans may. Medications prescribed solely for weight-loss purposes are not covered. Perspectives from employers on the costs and issues associated with covering GLP-1 agonists for weight loss Rarely, serious side effects can occur. Most side effects are mild and most often improve if you continue to take the medication. For this reason, never take a weight management medication only to improve the way you look. A lifestyle program may also address other things that cause you to gain weight, such as eating triggers and not getting enough sleep. Weight management medications aren’t for everyone with a high BMI. The FDA’s draft guidance establishes a clear framework for developing safe and effective weight-management therapies.New remarks have been made regarding the delay and prevention of type 2 diabetes as a stand-alone indication.Liraglutide is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, as well as in pregnancy.Novo Nordisk is developing an oral version of semaglutide (50 mg)specifically for obesity.Many of them are used to treat both obesity and Type 2 diabetes."They looked at my bloodwork to make sure I was going to be able to handle the drug and then I had a FaceTime conversation," said Miller.Evidence for obesity medication use in adolescents is limited due to the relatively small number of clinical trials that have been completed and the few adolescents that have been included in many of the trials. Other drugs similar to phentermine that may be an option include benzphetamine, diethylpropion, and phendimetrazine. Because of the risk of addiction or abuse, such stimulant drugs are "controlled substances," which means they need a special type of prescription. If you take insulin for diabetes, let your doctor know before you take phentermine, as you may need to adjust your insulin dose. Orlistat is the only drug of its kind that's approved in the U.S. Also, take a multivitamin at least 2 hours before or after taking orlistat because the drug temporarily makes it harder for your body to absorb vitamins A, D, E, and K. There are three main sulfonylurea drugs used today, glimepiride (Amaryl), glipizide (Glucotrol and Glucotrol XL), and glyburide (Micronase, Glynase, and Diabeta). The most common side effect with these medications is nausea and vomiting, which is more common when starting or increasing the dose. Most of these medications are injected, with the exception of one that is taken by mouth once daily, called semaglutide (Rybelsus). Use of GLP-1 and dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists is another strategy to help use these hormones to improve blood glucose management in people with type 2 diabetes. We haven’t done head-to-head studies of the two new injectable medications, retatrutide and cagrisema, that are currently in clinical trials. Clinical trials show it can significantly reduce body w A phase II study tested the safety and effectiveness of CagriSema in 92 adults with type 2 diabetes who were also overweight or had obesity. Before a drug gets to phase III, it must go through a small phase I trial (20 to 100 people) to see if it's safe and what the recommended dosages might be. As mentioned above, results suggested that the adult dose of liraglutide is also potentially appropriate for adolescents in treating obesity.76 In a phase III study of adolescents with type 2 diabetes, liraglutide, at a dose of up to 1.8 mg per day (added to metformin, with or without basal insulin), improved glycemic control over 52 weeks (mean treatment difference of −1.3% for HbA1c).77 Reported side effects included nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and diarrhea. Metformin has also been used as a first-line medication in patients with insulin resistance, prediabetes, or metabolic syndrome.14 This medication has also demonstrated evidence of weight loss in the pediatric population in multiple trials. Total weight loss for participants in the EQUIP and CONQUER studies ranged from 3.5% to 6.6% for the 7.5 mg/46 mg dose and 8.6–9.3% for the 15 mg/92 mg dose.34,35 SEQUEL, an extension of the CONQUER study, showed prolonged health benefits and greater weight loss in both groups treated with phentermine/topiramate when compared with the placebo group after completing the 52-week extension.26 EQUATE investigated the difference in weight loss for phentermine and topiramate monotherapy compared with the combined treatment. While certain drugs can support weight loss, it's crucial to understand how they work, the potential side effects, and the overall health implications. Studies might also use different and sometimes inappropriate assessment techniques to measure the effectiveness of a given treatment. Furthermore, dosages and amounts of active components vary widely among weight-loss supplements, and a product’s composition is not always fully described in published studies . FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) can also take regulatory actions against manufacturers that make unsubstantiated weight-loss claims about their products. Up to 25% lost at least 10% of their body weight. In initial studies, orlistat helped up to 55% of adults lose 5% or more of their body weight after 1 year. Phentermine is one of the most commonly prescribed medications for weight loss, probably because of its low cost. Close to 50% of participants lost at least 10% of their body weight. Most weight loss takes place within the first 6 months of starting the medication. Weight management medications don’t replace physical activity and healthy eating habits. Studies show that weight management medications work best when combined with a lifestyle program. Medications don’t replace physical activity or healthy eating habits as a way to lose weight. It can be easy to overlook first-generation AOMs, but these may be appropriate for some patients, especially when cost is a factor. All of the medications discussed here are contraindicated for pregnancy. The medication’s cost and side effects will also affect the decision. How do these medications work in regulating appetite and offering other health benefits? In addition to weight loss, what other benefits does Wegovy provide? Popular culture has contributed to this kind of misunderstanding that Ozempic is a weight loss medication. They see their effectiveness in delivering significant weight loss in their neighbors, co-workers and family members.” People with type 2 diabetes and known heart disease are at a greater risk of major cardiovascular events such as stroke, heart attack, or death. Your health care professional will tell you what goal is right for you. The American Diabetes Association recommends that a reasonable goal for most adults with type 2 diabetes is an A1C less than 7%. Franklin has type 2 diabetes and takes Ozempic®. The addition of medications like orlistat, which are FDA-approved and has an established safety profile, is not only helpful for initial weight loss but also its maintenance. A sixth drug, lorcaserin, was approved for weight loss but was later withdrawn, after being in clinical use for eight years, due to concerns of increased risk of cancer . In this review, we searched the PubMed database for studies exploring the safety and efficacy of the five medications currently approved by the FDA for the treatment of obesity. In some cases, the active constituents of botanical or other ingredients promoted for weight loss are unknown or uncharacterized . In the 1990s, ephedra—frequently combined with caffeine—was a popular ingredient in dietary supplements sold for weight loss and to enhance athletic performance. However, the authors noted that the quality of the trials included in their review was poor, making it impossible to draw firm conclusions. Overall, the available research suggests that consuming higher amounts of vitamin D or taking vitamin D supplements does not promote weight loss. What Are the Side Effects of the Wegovy Pill? In June 2021, the FDA approved Wegovy, manufactured by Novo Nordisk, for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight. In December 2014, the FDA approved liraglutide for chronic weight management in adults and adolescents. Originally developed for type 2 diabetes, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists have become leading treatments for obesity. Clinical studies have demonstrated an average total body weight reduction of approximately 10%. As of January 2025, orlistat (Xenical and Alli) remains the only FDA-approved medication that aids weight loss by inhibiting fat absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. However, an important limitation is the omission of real-world data, which are often different from clinical trial results, partly because of varying patient populations. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) neurons inhibit the appetite-suppressing POMC neurons and stimulate the release of appetite-inducing peptides such as orexin and melanin-concentrating hormone, making their inhibition an attractive therapeutic target in obesity. As ghrelin induces hunger, inhibition of the ghrelin receptor represents an attractive therapeutic target in obesity. Side Effects Glucomannan appears to have beneficial effects on blood lipids and glucose levels , but its effects on weight loss are inconsistent.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends chelation therapy, a type of chemical detoxification procedure, for removing toxic metals from the body in some specific serious cases.Many insurance companies require that patients be monitored to ensure they are incorporating proper nutritional and exercise behaviors into their lifestyle.And, it’s only approved for adults, so children can’t take it.Sponsors are encouraged to implement a diversity action plan that reflects obesity and its comorbidities in the United States.She’s since lost much of that, started exercise classes and bought home exercise equipment, she said, and is considering going back on Wegovy after it’s approved. We shouldn't expect that any drug is a magic bullet, or that one medication is necessarily going to work for everyone. We hope that the drug will supply this signal so that they can eat smaller portions. The reason why some people eat more isn’t because they have less willpower, it’s because they aren’t getting a signal that other people get when they eat. The hormone supplies a signal that some people don't seem to get on their own. Doctors aren't entirely sure how the drug combination works to promote weight loss. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 1 in 500 people who take anti-seizure drugs like topiramate develop suicidal thoughts or behaviors. The drug is not approved for pregnant women and can cause side effects such as drowsiness, headache and constipation. What are some alternatives to weight-loss pills? It's a treatment for overweight, obesity, and fatty liver disease. It works on three receptors in the body to promote weight loss. A phase II study included 272 people who either had obesity or were overweight with at least one weight-related condition. A phase III clinical trial is comparing the safety and effectiveness of orforglipron with insulin glargine, a treatment for type 2 diabetes. The Danish company hasn't disclosed Wegovy's price but said it will be similar to the price of Saxenda, an 11-year-old weight loss drug injected daily that now typically costs more than $1,300 per month without insurance. Bays said Wegovy appears far safer than earlier obesity drugs that "have gone down in flames" over safety problems. "With existing drugs, you're going to get maybe 5% to 10% weight reduction, sometimes not even that," said Dr. Harold Bays, medical director of the Louisville Metabolic and Atherosclerosis Research Center. Regulators on Friday said a new version of a popular diabetes medicine could be sold as a weight-loss drug in the U.S. It may take some effort to get insurance to cover GLP-1 agonists, especially for chronic weight management. Medicare Part D covers these medications when prescribed for these conditions. But it may cover certain GLP-1 agonists if prescribed for another FDA-approved use. Let’s say you have a health condition like heart disease and meet certain criteria. No amylin analogs are approved for weight loss right now by the U.S. The next generation of weight-loss drugs will also mimic another natural gut hormone — amylin, which is released by the pancreas in response to food. Hundreds of medications are needed for the treatment of a chronic disease like obesity, says Dr. Ania Jastreboff, director of the Yale Obesity Research Center. When people stop treatment, "rapid weight regain" can happen, a 2026 review of studies found. GLP-1 drugs now account for more than 7% of all prescriptions in the U.S., according to Truveta Research, a health data company. simple exercises to start resistance training at home or in the gym to build strength Maria has type 2 diabetes and takes Ozempic®.Paid spokesperson of Novo Nordisk. Ozempic® may also help you lose weight. FDA approves treatment for serious liver disease known as ‘MASH’. For future fills and for other Wegovy doses, you can pay $349 per month for the injection or $299 per month for the pill. You may also be able to get a prescription for Wegovy online, using a telehealth service. How effective is the new drug compared with other weight loss drugs and surgery? Given the large proportion of individuals with comorbid obesity and T2D , manufacturers are expected to evaluate sufficient numbers of the population to assess safety and efficacy either in dedicated trials or in adequately powered subgroups of larger weight reduction trials that also include participants without T2D, the guidance stipulates. With their different ways of action and potential advantages, the six FDA-approved weight-loss medications allow you to customize your treatment to meet your unique needs. While the mean weight loss seen with bupropion is small, it is a preferred alternative to most antidepressants, which commonly cause weight gain. Bupropion (trade name Wellbutrin or Zyban) is used for depression and smoking cessation and can cause weight loss as a side effect. It is recommended that Gelesis100 be considered “food” when counseling patients on administration of other medications that require ingestion “on an empty stomach” vs. “with food.” The efficacy of Gelesis100 was evaluated in the Gelesis Loss of Weight (GLOW) randomized double-blind placebo-control trial (112). The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued warning letters to more than 40 compounding pharmacies, demanding that they cease certain advertising practices for a variety of compounded drug products, including GLP-1 medications. For now, liraglutide remains another important option in the physician's toolkit to combat the growing obesity epidemic in the United States and abroad. In addition, discontinuation due to adverse effects (primarily gastrointestinal) is highest for liraglutide and naltrexone/bupropion and lowest for lorcaserin. Unlike the injectables, which enter the bloodstream directly, the pills are broken down in the stomach, which means “the oral doses have to be much, much higher” than the Wegovy injections, which cap at 2.4 mg, McCoy explains. The starting dose of 1.5 mg is anticipated to cost $149 per month out of pocket but could be lower, depending on a person’s insurance. The pill will be available in U.S. pharmacies and select telehealth providers in early January, a Novo Nordisk spokesperson told Scientific American. The Wegovy pill, taken once a day, works similarly to the weekly injections—mimicking the activity of a gut hormone that slows down the speed at which people’s stomach empties and that makes them feel fuller. (The injection and pill were not compared in a head-to-head trial.) Updates and Innovations in Nonopioid Pain Management Strategies for Breast Cancer Patients Postsurgical Intervention In the STEP 3 trial LDL-C level dropped with semaglutide by 4.7%, while it increased by 2.6% with placebo (p Table 2).84 After 56 weeks of treatment, the SCALE maintenance trial showed no significant difference in lipid parameters between treatment arms, except for triglycerides level that did not change in the intervention arm, but increased by 8.86 (44.29) mg/dL in the placebo group (p 0.03) (Table 2).77 Similarly, there was no significant difference in lipid parameters between arms in the SCALE-IBT trial (Table 2).78 Although the changes in HDL-C, LDL-C, and triglycerides were significantly different in liraglutide arm compared to placebo (p 0.001, p 0.002, p 76 The 160-week SCALE extension trial did not report on lipid parameters (Table 2).79 Tirzepatide injection is used to treat type 2 diabetes. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider(s). Know the Science features a variety of materials, including interactive modules, quizzes, and videos, as well as links to informative content from Federal resources designed to help consumers make sense of health information. NCCIH and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) provide tools to help you understand the basics and terminology of scientific research so you can make well-informed decisions about your health. Oftentimes, gastrointestinal symptoms improve as patients get used to higher doses, so the medication is titrated slowly over several weeks 16 weeks in the trial. Understandably, some physicians are reluctant to prescribe weight loss medications because of this sordid past. You don't have to get into a normal weight category in order to reap the health and quality of life benefits of weight loss. The trial didn't include people with diabetes, but it did include people with pre-diabetes. For those with a BMI of 25 or higher, clinically significant weight loss—where we really see improvements in health—is around 5% of a person’s starting weight. How does Wegovy work? Before taking any medication to treat obesity, talk with your health care professional about the possible risks and benefits. These medications have side effects, some of which could be severe. Developing and maintaining healthy eating habits and increasing physical activity may help you regain less weight or keep it off. Possible side effects vary by medication and how it acts on your body. With these massive negative effects, it is essential to understand and utilize the treatment approaches available to treat the disease early in its course and to prevent worsening health. Moreover, more clinical trials are underway on the rarer, intractable forms of obesity such as monogenic, syndromic and hypothalamic obesity. Only two medications, Phentermine and Orlistat are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)for use in adolescent obesity. Those who do not lose at least 4 percent of their body weight by that time should stop taking the medication, the FDA said. Additionally, patients should discontinue the medication gradually, since abrupt discontinuation of topiramate can precipitate a seizure. Patients should have their laboratory chemistry profiles analyzed periodically throughout the treatment. Alternatively, at that point, the dose may be increased to 11.25 mg/69 mg daily for 14 days followed by 15 mg/92 mg daily, which is the maximum recommended dose. The initial dose is 3.75 mg/23 mg daily and titrated up to 7.5 mg/46 mg daily after 14 days. Pharmacists should counsel patients to avoid taking this medication with a high-fat meal, since doing so increases systemic exposure to the medication, and to avoid drinking alcohol. According to the Mayo Clinic, a 2014 review found that people who dieted, exercised and took Alli for at least a year lost about 5.5 pounds (2.5 kilograms) more on average than those who dieted and exercised alone. People who take the drug should watch for signs of liver malfunction such as yellow skin or eyes, itching, loss of appetite, brown urine or yellowish stool. Thus, taking orlistat with each meal prevents the absorption of all the fat from the food into the body. The drug is a lipase inhibitor, meaning it works to prevent the action of a pancreatic enzyme called lipase, which breaks down fat in the small intestine. Orlistat is meant to treat obesity in conjunction with a low-fat, low-calorie diet, according to the FDA. Teclistamab Transforms Early Myeloma Care: Roberto Mina, MD To understand the impacts of weight loss drugs, diverse representation is essential. With advancements in drug development and growing clinical evidence, GLP-1 medications help patients better manage obesity. Many private insurance plans exclude obesity treatments, leaving patients to pay out of pocket for medications that can cost between $900 and $1,400 per month. Medicare’s approach to weight loss medications creates confusion for millions of beneficiaries seeking help with weight management. Medicare’s complex rules around weight loss medications leave millions of beneficiaries confused about what’s actually covered. While medications have been developed to help people lose weight, they may not be suitable for every person. Whilst initially approved in the European market in 2006, the drug was later withdrawn in 2009 because of the increased risk of severe mood disorders and suicide . Therefore, cannabinoid receptor antagonists represent a further therapeutic option in the treatment of obesity. Further trials exploring the combination of the NPY inhibitor and orlistat were also disappointing and have been discontinued . We were unable to identify any current clinical trials exploring ghrelin antagonism under progress, though recently ghrelin receptor inverse agonists have been successfully profiled in humans . One study found that use of the pramlintide/metreleptin combination resulted in 11.5 kg weight loss over 20 weeks compared with 7.4 kg and 7.9 kg weight loss respectively in participants receiving either metreleptin or pramlintide monotherapy . Five medications are currently approved by the FDA for chronic weight management. Consider asking your healthcare provider about GLP-1 medications if you have mild to moderate obesity. They’re only approved for short-term use for weight loss (up to 12 weeks) because some are amphetamine-based and there’s a concern of addiction. Since that shift in thought, and with increased knowledge on the science of obesity and weight regulation, anti-obesity medications have rapidly evolved to target the underpinnings of the disease. “It’s a dysfunction of the complex system that controls body weight, which is largely based on genetics.” Because it achieves its primary intended purpose through a mechanical mode of action, it is considered a device rather than a drug and has no systemic effects. The purported mechanism for this interference is a reduction in gastrointestinal motility and absorption, which may occur with other incretin therapies (i.e., semaglutide, liraglutide), but such interactions have not been reported. Among participants with obesity and T2D in SURMOUNT-2, A1c was reduced by about 2% with tirzepatide 10 or 15 mg vs 0.5% with placebo. Summarises the mechanism of action for each class of pharmacotherapy used to treat obesity Cardiovascular disease accounted for 2.7 million deaths, whilst diabetes was the second leading cause at 0.9 million deaths. Whilst further evidence is required to support their clinical use, preclinical and early clinical trial results are encouraging. A blockbuster batch of anti-obesity drugs continues to grab headlines and dominate social media posts, and not just because the new year revs up our resolve to shed pounds. Most importantly, always discuss over-the-counter drugs or supplements with your health care provider. Most over-the counter medications or supplements for weight loss are not recommended. A letter posted last week from FDA’s vaccine division took issue with a TV ad for AstraZeneca’s FluMist vaccine, saying the spot’s “background music and visual distractions” detract from information about side effects. Hims and other companies have taken to offering “personalized” dosages and formulations for certain patients, arguing they offer extra benefits. Makary singled out the ad in last week’s Journal of the American Medical Association, calling it a “brazen” example of how advertising is “contributing to America’s culture of overreliance on pharmaceuticals for health.” The FDA approved Wegovy in June 2021 and is a higher dose of the drug semaglutide, originally approved for type 2 diabetes management. This article explores these newly approved drugs, their effectiveness, how they work, and what patients should know before starting treatment. In recent years, the FDA has approved several new medications that have shown significant promise in helping people achieve their weight loss goals. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates dietary supplements, including those promoted for weight loss . However, according to a large national survey, less than one-third of U.S. adults who use weight-loss dietary supplements discuss this use with a health care professional . People who are considering using weight-loss supplements should talk with their health care provider to discuss these products' potential benefits and risks. Similarly to semaglutide, liraglutide is also a GLP-1 agonist medication that helps to control blood sugar levels. Another reason GLP-1 agonists aid in weight loss is because of its impact on the brain's motivation and reward system, reducing appetite for food and beverages. Semaglutide was originally approved by the FDA to treat type 2 diabetes because of its ability to improve blood sugar. When blood sugar levels start to rise after someone eats, this drug stimulates the body to produce more insulin. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of obesity work primarily by reducing appetite and increasing feelings of fullness. And these medications are not recommended for use during pregnancy due to lack of data.Liraglutide is also contraindicated in pregnancy and is not recommended in nursing mothers, children, patients taking insulin or other GLP‐1 agonists 9.For example, some are approved by the FDA for up to 12 weeks.Furthermore, many weight-loss supplements contain multiple ingredients that have not been adequately tested in combination with one another.More recently, the FDA has approved several GLP-1 agonists for weight loss in people with obesity who do not have diabetes.Last March, the FDA approved Wegovy to be used to reduce the risk of strokes, heart attacks, and other cardiovascular problems in patients who are overweight.As of January 2026, 12 medications are FDA approved as weight-loss treatments. As Dr. Butsch explains, obesity is a chronic disease that needs long-term treatment. In theory, the GLP-1 drugs could potentially affect your kidneys, thyroid and pancreas. This is especially true if you’re taking other diabetes medications or insulin. Sometimes, doctors prescribe them to help reduce health risks linked to being overweight.However, these medications are only effective for as long as they are being taken.These are additional reasons why it’s crucial to speak with your physician to discuss the benefits and potential risks of starting these drugs.Improvements in body composition were observed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in STEP 1, while reductions in visceral fat areas were observed in a subpopulation of participants assessed by computed tomography in STEP 6.Oral weight-loss drugs are shaping up to be one of the industry’s most competitive frontiers, with rivals racing to offer GLP-1 medicines that are easier to take, easier to scale and potentially easier to stick with long term.In a Phase 2 study, the medication showed up to 20% average weight loss at 52 weeks for people with obesity or overweight.Your dose is gradually increased over time to help limit side effects, such as nausea and diarrhea.As with any medicine, some people experience side effects. Additionally, because sudden discontinuation causes seizures in some patients, even in those without a history of epilepsy, it is desirable to discontinue its use gradually by taking a dose every other day for at least 1 week prior to stopping treatment altogether . If the patient does not achieve a 5% weight reduction 12 weeks after a dose increase, it is recommended that this drug should be gradually discontinued. The FDA recommends that if a weight reduction of less than 3% is achieved after 12 weeks of use, the drug should be either discontinued or the dose increased. A similar result was obtained for patients who achieved ≥10% weight loss (7% vs. 37% vs. 48%) . Phentermine suppresses appetite by increasing the secretion of epinephrine in the hypothalamus and has been approved for short-term use in obesity treatment. Many of the interventions most likely to reshape preventive healthcare – obesity drugs, cardiometabolic treatments, therapies intended for earlier use in disease course – are being positioned for broad populations. Levy calls the notion of people buying unapproved weight-loss drugs “scary.” In a phase 2 trial funded by the pharmaceutical company, people lost up to 20% of their body weight after taking the medication for almost a year. In company-funded studies, participants taking Wegovy had an average weight loss of 15%, about 34 pounds (15.3 kilograms).Additionally, the initial weight loss may include water weight and muscle mass, rather than a reduction in fat tissue.However, the real competition will not be from branded Saxenda, but Wegovy (semaglutide, Novo Nordisk) and Zepbound (tirzepatide, Eli Lilly).Moreover, the proportion of patients who lost 10% of their weight after 1 year of treatment is also different among phentermine/topiramate CR (54%), liraglutide (34%), naltrexone ER/bupropion ER (30%), and orlistat (20%) groups.Habitual use of caffeine however, leads to caffeine tolerance and a diminishment of these effects 41,43.Although the field of anti-obesity drug therapy has evolved, there are currently no recommendations regarding the type or class of patients for which anti-obesity drugs are more effective in terms of good responders and poor responders; thus, progress remains to be made in personalized medicine in this field.Weight management medications are meant to help people who have health problems related to overweight or obesity.Children with obesity face significant social stigma predisposing them to serious negative consequences on their emotional and mental health and school performance4,5 .Keep in mind that the key to losing weight is a whole lifestyle approach that involves eating well and moving more. “This decision by the FDA is a big deal because it loudly signals that these drugs are not about appearance, but about health,” Dr. Krumholz says. “In many people, dietary intake and exercise alone do not produce clinically significant weight loss without medication.” “Wegovy can help many people achieve clinically significant weight loss that can in turn improve cardiovascular risk factors including elevated cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar,” says Jody Dushay, MD, an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and attending physician at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. In a closely watched late-stage clinical trial published in November 2023, Wegovy reduced the risk of heart-disease-related death, heart attack, and stroke by 20 percent in overweight or obese adults with heart disease compared with a placebo. Both are once-weekly subcutaneous medications and are sold directly for $499 per month. However, the real competition will not be from branded Saxenda, but Wegovy (semaglutide, Novo Nordisk) and Zepbound (tirzepatide, Eli Lilly). A generic Saxenda expands our treatment options. Teva Pharmaceuticals announced the launch of daily subcutaneous generic liraglutide as a replacement for Saxenda, and that it will be priced 30% less than Saxenda. Novo Nordisk has indicated that it plans to launch the 25 mg oral semaglutide in the US in 2026. “As we start seeing these benefits, like for people who’ve had cardiac disease, 20% reduction in death or another event; reduction in sleep apnea; reduction in heart failure; improved liver function,” Korner said, “that’s, to me, the exciting part.” That convenience factor may tip scales in favor of Lilly’s pill, if and when it’s approved, said Evan Seigerman, a financial analyst who follows both companies closely for Wall Street firm BMO Capital Markets. One difference between the medicines is that the Wegovy pill must be taken on an empty stomach with a small amount of water, and patients are directed not to eat, drink or take other medicines for 30 minutes after taking it. “We know there are some patients who just won’t take an injectable medication.”