However, 2 g/day L-carnitine alone for 6 months did not affect weight loss in 94 men and women who were overweight and had newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes . However, the calorie reductions did not significantly affect body weight at either 6 weeks or 12 weeks. The authors of four reviews of published studies on the effects of calcium from supplements or dairy products on weight management reached similar conclusions 70-73. There's diabetes, hypertension, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea. These medications are thought to decrease inflammation. We now know about the brain signals our patients are fighting and how biology works against us when we try to lose weight. The body wants that fat mass because fat is energy, and we need energy for our cells, brain, and heart to function. We've learned that obesity is a complex condition with multiple neuroendocrine pathways in which the gut and brain affect how you eat and store fat. A doctor might recommend it if diet and exercise changes have not worked on their own. You can only take liraglutide if it's prescribed for you by a specialist weight management service. This is because your body may not absorb the contraceptive pill if you have diarrhoea, so it may not be effective. Follow your doctor's advice about how to take orlistat, and the instructions that come with your medicine. Tell your care team if you have high blood sugar. Know the symptoms of low blood sugar and know how to treat it. This test shows what your average blood sugar (glucose) level was over the past 2 to 3 months. Some items may interact with your medicine. A 2013 Cochrane Review analyzed the results from nine randomized controlled trials of chromium picolinate supplements in a total of 622 participants with overweight or obesity (BMI ≥25) . Some research indicates that these supplements might also reduce food intake, hunger levels, and fat cravings , although data on these effects are sparse. Researchers have hypothesized that chromium supplements increase lean muscle mass and promote fat loss, but study results have been equivocal 41,100. However, the amount of fat that the chitosan trapped would result in a loss of only 1 lb body fat over about 7 months. Rarer side effects include muscle weakness in patients with uremia and seizures in those with seizure disorders. In studies, it's helped people achieve mild weight loss. However, Wegovy was made for weight loss while Ozempic is meant for people with type 2 diabetes. Like other dietary fibers, it's supposed to help you lose weight by blocking fat in your food from being absorbed into your body. Dr. Hafez expresses hope that this pioneering treatment will combat the growing rates of obesity and related health issues in the area, especially for patients who have struggled with conventional diet and exercise methods. Three patients who underwent the treatment at Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital managed to shed approximately 10% of their total body weight. Studies show that Mounjaro is effective in lowering blood glucose levels in patients with type-2 diabetes, when given alone or in combination with other diabetes medicines, without significantly increasing the patient’s risk of having low glucose levels. The authors noted that the results suggest that at least 2 mg capsaicinoids are needed to reduce calorie intake but that the studies were very heterogeneous. These reviews include a 2009 evidence report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality whose authors concluded that, overall, clinical trial results do not support an effect of calcium supplementation on weight . Decreased intracellular calcium concentrations, in turn, might increase fat breakdown and discourage fat accumulation in these cells . Also in this issue: Obesity (Branded weight loss medication names mentioned in the images are for educational reference only; Medicspot does not promote specific POMs.) Dual-pathway treatments act on both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, often resulting in even greater weight loss. These medications mimic natural hormones that help regulate appetite and blood sugar. Injectable medications (usually once a week) such as semaglutide or tirzepatide are weekly injections that have been proved to be clinically effective. If it lasts for more than a couple of days, speak to your doctor as they may need to change your treatment. They may be able to change you to a different medicine. If you feel this medicine is causing mood changes, talk to your doctor. Do not take any other medicines to treat vomiting without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor. If that does not work, your doctor may suggest a different medicine. Though the manufacturer warns of suicidal ideation and depression, the phase 3 trial reported one case of suicidal ideation not present at baseline and no treatment-related worsening in depression (83).Traditional pharmacological monotherapies for obesity, although initially successful in achieving weight loss, are often subject to counter-regulation.Because they increase glucose levels in the urine, the most common side effects include genital yeast infections.These drugs help the body lower blood glucose levels by blocking the breakdown of starches, such as bread, potatoes, and pasta in the intestine.As your body gets used to gabapentin, these side effects should wear off.Serious potential side effects can include an allergic reaction, raised heart rate, pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, kidney problems, and suicidal thoughts.Compared to previously published meta-analyses, our study systematically and comprehensively included 154 studies with a total of 112,515 individuals.They work by reducing your appetite, keeping you full and/or changing how you absorb fat. Why would insurance deny coverage for weight-loss medication? Reduced nutrient absorption, appetite prevention, and up-regulation of enzymes responsible for hepatic fat oxidation may also be enumerated as alternative mechanisms (30). The mechanism of action of green tea can be outlined as influencing the sympathetic nervous system, thereby increasing energy consumption and triggering the oxidation of fat. Experiments on rats and humans indicate that administering hydroxycitric acid indeed contributes to a feeling of satiety and subsequent weight reduction (23). Viking Therapeutics announces positive top-line results from phase 2 Venture trial of dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist VK2735 in patients with obesity. A GIPR antagonist conjugated to GLP-1 analogues promotes weight loss with improved metabolic parameters in preclinical and phase 1 settings. Novo flunks kidney disease trial, again linking obesity prospect to neuropsychiatric side effects. Furthermore, the safety and long-term effects of chromium picolinate could not be determined due to the relatively short length (maximum of 24 weeks) of the studies reviewed. A further conclusion was that the maintenance of weight loss is not considerably affected by green tea, either. Cambogia extracts can positively act as weight loss agents, on a short-term basis. Living with obesity? The head-to-head trial between tirzepatide and semaglutide aimed to find out which was more effective in people with obesity who did not have type 2 diabetes. Both medicines are used in NHS specialist weight-loss clinics in combination with diet and exercise to aid weight loss. The weight-loss injection Mounjaro (tirzepatide) leads to greater weight loss than Wegovy (semaglutide), according to UK news outlets reporting on a new study. Weight Loss Baseline data in four studies were incomparable when assessed using RevMan 5.4.1 and thus those four studies were excluded from the meta-analyses 22, 35, 37, 53. In terms of funding source and conflicts of interest, 18 studies 19–22, 28, 30, 32, 33, 35, 36, 38, 41, 45, 46, 52, 53, 55, 56 stated that they were supported by not-for-profit institutions, such as the national scientific funding or local scientific grant. Three of four studies 23, 33, 52 reported slightly different outcome measures in their results section as compared to their registered protocol. Side effects affecting the digestive system are considered to be manageable. Regarding safety, this was considered in line with that of other medicines of the same class. Ozempic was shown to be effective at controlling blood glucose levels. It is important to note that only individuals who are overweight or obese should take orlistat. Orlistat is a gastrointestinal lipase blocker that works by preventing the absorption of 25% of the fat in a meal. Individuals using Saxenda should include a doctor-recommended eating and exercise plan into their daily schedule to reduce weight. Novo Nordisk produces this medication under the trade name Saxenda (liraglutide). The first treatment goal is usually a modest weight loss — 5% to 10% of your total weight. This improves overall health and lowers the risk of developing complications related to obesity. Innovent's Mazdutide shows superiority in glycemic control with weight loss over semaglutide in a head-to-head phase 3 clinical trial DREAMS-3. Phentermine (trade name Adipex) was among the first FDA-approved short-term medications for weight loss and remains available today. Today, nine FDA-approved AOMs remain on the market, with six approved for long-term weight loss, of which one is indicated for specific monogenic obesity mutations, and one “device” that functions as a medication (Table 2). The Global Burden of Disease study reports that overweight and obesity are the fourth leading risk for global deaths, and more than 4.7 million adults die each year as a result of overweight or obesity (6). Today, six anti-obesity medications (AOMs) are approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for the long-term treatment of obesity. Before we begin – this article is not telling you to go on weight loss medications. If weight loss medications are something you have thought about – we go through what is available, and the pros and cons of each. Beyond diabetes and weight loss, researchers are exploring other potential benefits of GLP-1 drugs. In some studies, participants using GLP-1s have lost an average of 10% to 15% of their body weight over a year. The aim of this Commentary is to place these developments in context by reviewing the pharmacotherapy of obesity in terms of its past, present and future. In this context, major recent advances in our understanding of the basic neurobiology of appetite and energy homeostasis have identified numerous targets for potential anti-obesity drug development (Wilding, 2007; Heal et al., 2009; Halford et al., 2010). Indeed, a recent review rather pessimistically concluded that “the history of anti-obesity drug development is far from glorious, with transient magic bullets and only a handful of agents currently licensed for clinical use” (Rodgers et al., 2010). Although prevention through education and changes to the obesogenic environment are long-term goals, treatment is required for those who are already obese. Indeed, obesity is blamed as a major contributing factor in over 300,000 deaths annually in the United States, with the illness-related economic costs exceeding US$100 billion per annum (Daniels, 2006a). Energy expenditure in subjects treated with liraglutide 3.0 mg/d decreased, even when corrected for weight loss (72), which may reflect metabolic adaptation to weight loss. Participants with diabetes in the COR-Diabetes trial using bupropion/naltrexone also showed a significantly greater 0.6% reduction in HbA1c from baseline, compared to a 0.1% reduction in placebo (68). Similar weight loss efficacy was reported in COR-II (25) and COR-Diabetes (68) trials. Naltrexone is an opioid receptor antagonist that diminishes the mu-opioid receptor auto-inhibitory feedback loop on anorexigenic hypothalamic neurons activated by bupropion, thereby allowing for sustained weight loss (67). The combination tablet of bupropion and naltrexone (trade name Contrave) was FDA-approved for weight loss in September 2014. Some are only meant for short-term use, while others can be used for weight management over time. The study should be wrapped up by early 2026. MariTide is being studied for chronic weight management. Some genetic research suggests that blocking GIP in the gut may lead to less fat storage. Phentermine has been the most commonly used weight-loss management medication in Australia and the US for decades.12 Historically, it has been approved as a short-term therapy, but for treating obesity, a chronic condition, this is illogical. Analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) indicates weight loss at six months of 3.6 kg, compared with placebo.9 More recently, phentermine 15 mg was shown to induce a weight loss of 4.5 kg over placebo after six months of therapy (Table 1).10 Phentermine is available in a slow-release resin preparation in doses of 15, 30 and 40 mg, and given as a single daily dose early in the day. For patients who are obese, the benefits of high-quality diet, physical activity and behavioural change do extend well beyond what may be frustratingly small changes on the scales and, as such, lifestyle management remains the foundation for improved health outcomes. Since naltrexone-bupropion can raise blood pressure, you’ll need to check your blood pressure regularly at the start of treatment. Naltrexone-bupropion may be a good option for people who want to lose weight and quit smoking. While these drugs can be effective in the short term, they are not without risks. Phentermine works by affecting the central nervous system, leading to appetite suppression and, consequently, weight loss. It is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2. Liraglutide is a daily injectable medication that acts on hormones that send signals from the gut to the brain to make the patient feel full quicker and decrease hunger signals. Tirzepatide was previously approved to treat type 2 diabetes as Mounjaro, and it goes by that name only in some countries. These common side effects of gabapentin may happen in more than 1 in 100 people. Like all medicines, gabapentin can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. They also must pass licensing exams before they can treat people and prescribe medicines. A major difference between D.O.s and M.D.s is that some doctors of osteopathic medicine use manual medicine as part of treatment. Ask your healthcare provider to explain possible side effects to help you make a safe choice when choosing a weight loss medicine. You’ll only be prescribed a weight loss medicine by a health professional if you meet certain criteria based on your body mass index (BMI) and any other health conditions you may have. Make sure to talk to a healthcare professional who prescribes weight-loss medications about your overall treatment goals. However, even that modest weight loss can improve your health and reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. The approved drugs are usually prescribed for people with a BMI higher than 30, especially if they have other conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, joint problems, or sleep apnea, which can often be alleviated by losing weight. Of these, 30% caused adverse effects deemed moderate or major, 3.2% required admission to a critical care unit, and one led to a death. More recently, dietary supplements containing yohimbe accounted for 1,818 self-reports to U.S. poison control centers between 2000 and 2012 . According to an analysis of calls to the California Poison Control System in 2006, 18% of calls reporting an adverse effect or toxicity potentially caused by dietary supplements involved products containing yohimbe . I’m confident that I can lose weight, keep it off, and continue on.“Interestingly, preclinical data suggest a potential synergy, with estrogen appearing to enhance the appetite-suppressing effects of GLP-1,” she added in a news release.In overweight women, the symptoms and overall risk of developing long-term health problems from PCOS can be greatly improved by losing excess weight.Evidence has shown that weight loss can be more successful if it involves other strategies, alongside diet and lifestyle changes.Novo Nordisk shared in June 2025 that it’s moving both the injectable and pill forms of amycretin into phase 3 clinical trials for chronic weight management.If you decide weight-loss medicines aren’t right for you, you can still meet your weight-loss goals.Participants followed a controlled diet that limited total energy intake to 1,800 kcal/day.Here are the 5 best weight loss medications available in Australia.Do not take these medicines if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Among them, 6335 (5.6%) individuals had simple overweight/obesity, 103,982 (92.4%) had body weight-related complications and comorbidities, and 2198 (2.0%) had psychiatric disorder-related overweight/obesity. Following the recent FDA approval of the novel weight-loss medication tirzepatide in December 2023,23 interest in comparing the effects and safety profiles of these medications has rapidly increased. However, these studies did not include the latest RCTs on tirzepatide, especially following its FDA approval for weight loss treatment in November 2023. Humans synthesize carnitine from its constituent amino acids, so dietary carnitine intake is not necessary. At the end of the trial, participants receiving 4 mg/day capsaicinoids reported a mean intake of 252 fewer calories per day than those receiving placebo and a mean of 140 fewer calories per day than those receiving 2 mg/day capsaicinoids. A 2017 clinical trial compared 2 mg/day and 4 mg/day capsaicinoid supplements for 12 weeks in 77 adults who were overweight . If more than 5% weight loss is not achieved after 12 weeks of the maximum dose, the weight loss pill should be gradually discontinued. Side effects include headache, overstimulation, high blood pressure, insomnia, rapid or irregular heart rate, and tremor. Side effects include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, headache, decreased appetite, dyspepsia, fatigue, dizziness, abdominal pain, increased lipase, and renal insufficiency. It is also semaglutide, but approved to treat type 2 diabetes. These hormones reduce blood glucose levels in the body, but they are broken down very quickly so it does not work well when injected as a drug itself. When this happens adjustments to your medication or combination therapy can help, which may include adding insulin to your treatment plan. Diabetes is a progressive disease and medications sometimes stop working as well over time. However, individuals with type 1 diabetes must rely on insulin for blood glucose (blood sugar) management. Topiramate is an FDA-approved medicine for epilepsy and migraine prophylaxis that has been shown to reduce body weight by promoting taste aversion and decreasing caloric intake (61). In subjects with obesity and T2D, hypercholesterolemia, or hypertension, orlistat treatment also led to greater weight loss and reductions in HbA1c, LDL, and total cholesterol (57). In the 4-year XENDOS study conducted in Sweden, the cumulative incidence of T2D was 9.0% in the placebo plus diet and lifestyle group and 6.2% in the subjects receiving orlistat (24), corresponding to a risk reduction in development of T2D of 37.3%. After taking the medication once daily for 6 weeks, people in the study were able to perform better on an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). A phase 2 study found that the medication helps improve glucose tolerance in adults with prediabetes. But, if needed, medication is another way to help promote weight loss. Still, some internal or external factors may be driving you to try to lower your body weight. It is approved for use in adults with obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) or overweight (BMI ≥27 kg/m2) and at least one weight-related condition alongside a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity. In addition, glycemic status shifted from prediabetes to normoglycemia in people receiving semaglutide. Secondary endpoint results from the STEP trials indicated improvement in cardiometabolic risk factors, including waist circumference, blood pressure, lipids, and C-reactive protein with semaglutide administered at a dose of 2.4 mg, as well as benefits on physical function and quality of life. As a result, GLP-1 receptor agonists (RAs) are an attractive target in the development of drugs for obesity and diabetes. In addition, topiramate has weight loss effects caused by an incompletely understood mechanism; however, dose-dependent adverse neuropsychiatric events such as depression limit its use as a single agent for weight loss (Allison et al., 2012). It also can help improve cognitive function and helps lower the risk of death from all causes.We suggest that administering Xing-ren to improve bowel movements may be helpful for cleaning the accumulation of waste and toxins in the body.The new medications fill a gap that wasn't addressed before 2021.Healthcare researchers are still studying the long-term risks and effects.These are just a few examples of interactions between ingredients of weight-loss dietary supplements and medications.It also reduces the amount of sugar released into your blood and slows down your digestion.The complex makeup of obesity might also explain why GLP-1s don't work for many people. Before taking lamotrigine, tell your doctor if you're taking any other medicines, herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements. There are some medicines, remedies and supplements that may not mix well with lamotrigine. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking it while you're pregnant. Lamotrigine can be used while breastfeeding, but it's best to check because the medicine can pass into your breast milk. What should I do if I notice early symptoms of diabetes while trying to lose weight? Properly prepared, elderberries can be a safe and healthy part of a balanced diet — just steer clear of supplements If you need help with starting your weight loss journey, talk to your provider. While many products out there suggest that they can help you lose weight fast, they can also come with a slew of health concerns. They also do not provide enough water loss to be considered effective weight loss aids. This risk is especially high for people who smoke or drink alcohol. This IV treatment replenishes a vital coenzyme involved in energy production, DNA repair, and brain health, helping you feel sharper, more energetic, and youthful. Identify the root cause of fatigue, weight gain, or mood changes with advanced thyroid testing. Boost your metabolism with Lipo injections, a blend of B vitamins and amino acids that help your body convert fat into energy. But each medication also has additional uses. Choosing between an injectable and oral GLP-1 often comes down to factors such as your personal preference, treatment goals, and routine. If you prefer a needle-free GLP-1 medication, the Wegovy pill can be a good choice. But Wegovy also comes in pill form, providing more options for treatment. We cannot diagnose conditions, provide second opinions or make specific treatment recommendations through this website. The FDA warns people of the dangers of using "generic" Ozempic and Wegovy. Read about primary care and why you should partner with a provider for your health In the STEP 1 trial, these gastrointestinal side effects occurred more often in those receiving semaglutide vs. placebo (74.2% vs. 47.9%). The mean percent weight loss was 13% in the 0.4-mg group vs 1% in the placebo group.Additional cardiovascular protection has been proven in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). This endpoint was observed in 1.8% of participants on semaglutide 2.4 mg vs 2.2% of participants on placebo, resulting in a relative risk reduction of 22%. In the STEP 2 trial, conducted in adults with obesity and T2D, HbA1c levels at 68 weeks were reduced by -1.6% in the semaglutide 2.4 vs. -1.5% in the semaglutide 1.0 vs. -0.4% in the placebo group, and 78.5%, 72.3%, and 26.5% achieved an HbA1c89). HbA1c decreased by -0.52% vs. -0.17% in semaglutide 2.4 vs. placebo groups, with 84.1% of participants achieving normoglycemia at 68 weeks on semaglutide 2.4 vs. 47.8% of patients on placebo. To keep the weight off, you must eat a healthy diet and be physically active on a regular basis. The following are medicines currently approved by the FDA for weight loss. Most of these medicines are designed for people who weigh 20% or more above what is ideal for their height and body type. This diabetes drug is quickly gaining attention for weight loss potential A meta-analysis of eight randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials evaluated the effects of capsaicinoids on ad libitum energy intake in a total of 191 participants who had a normal body weight or were moderately overweight .NAL monotherapy also has minimal weight loss effects; however, when combined with other weight-loss drugs, it prevents the classic weight loss plateau observed with monotherapies (such as BUP) by blocking β-endorphin-mediated proopiomelanocortin autoinhibition (Greenway et al., 2009).If so, your doctor will probably tell you not to use semaglutide injection.Medcare is the premium private healthcare provider under the parent group, Aster DM Healthcare.It works by increasing insulin levels in your body, which decreases your blood sugar (glucose).Catechins combined with caffeine also significantly increase fat oxidation, but caffeine alone does not.Many patients ask about weight-loss drugs, Jin said, which is what prompted her to write about the available options. Modern GLP-1 medications mimic natural hormones that stimulate insulin production, slow gastric emptying, and suppress appetite by targeting the brain’s satiety centers. NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public. Once-weekly semaglutide in adolescents with obesity. FDA approves weight management drug for patients aged 12 and older. Obesity Care & Weight Loss: What’s Covered, and What’s Not? As a result, patients on Duromine eat less and have greater energy, burning more calories. Each medication has its own benefits and drawbacks, so be sure to talk to your doctor before deciding on which one is right for you. Your weight management objectives, drug tolerance, and any conflicting medical problems you may have determined the appropriate prescription pill for you. Your healthcare professional may prescribe to address your condition if you are an adult with So, for example, certain medicines can reduce your appetite or make you feel full sooner. Phentermine is one of the most prescribed weight-loss medicines. Like other weight-loss medicines ordered by providers, phentermine is meant to be only part of a weight-loss plan. Phentermine also is offered combined with topiramate for weight loss (Qsymia). It can help weight loss by making you less hungry. The FDA has issued warnings about compounded GLP-1 drugs because of reports of harmful side effects. Next came a dual receptor agonist, Mounjaro, which is indicated for type 2 diabetes, and Zepbound, which is indicated for obesity. The pharmacological treatment of obesity is a fast-changing landscape, and care providers must strive continuously to stay current. Body weight often plateaus before increasing again after treatment cessation (Christoffersen et al., 2022). However, guidelines suggest different weight targets are set depending on the complications, such as 5-15% weight loss for metabolic syndrome, type 2 DM and cardiovascular disease, 7-8% for obstructive sleep apnea and asthma, and 10-40% for steatohepatitis (Garvey et al., 2016). In clinical studies, the Wegovy pill helped people lose a significant amount of weight when combined with a nutritious diet and routine exercise. Weight-loss pills are a convenient needle-free option for people who need help losing unwanted body weight. You’ve likely heard all about the importance of a nutritious diet and routine exercise when it comes to achieving your target body weight. These disparities represent a test of US payers’ willingness to pay for injectable weight loss drugs, with costs perhaps driving some patients to switch to Wegovy tablets. The ease-of-use appeal may also increase the number of patients willing to try weight loss treatment in the first place and mean that more patients adhere to prescriptions for longer. Prescription weight-loss medicines are only for people who have obesity. Another type of weight-loss medicine makes it harder for your body to absorb fat. Consider asking your healthcare provider about GLP-1 medications if you have mild to moderate obesity. In this meta-analysis, we not only compared the weight-loss effects of medications across multiple indicators but also evaluated nearly all cardiometabolic outcomes.Different people respond differently to weight loss medicines and your healthcare provider can help you decide whether using weight-loss treatment long term is suitable for you.Topiramate is a teratogen, which requires that women have effective contraception if they use this medication.Short-term treatment options include phentermine, diethylpropion, phendimetrazine, and mazindol (Jeon et al., 2023).Increasing physical activity to up to 60 minutes a day and continuing to watch what you eat may help you keep the weight off.Jumpstart your weight loss journey with semaglutide, or other GLP-1 medications, that help control appetite, stabilize blood sugar, and promote weight loss.When we lose weight, naturally occurring hormones send a message to our brain to increase hunger and cravings and slow our metabolism down.Similarly, when CHM was coadministered with LI, they yielded substantially lower BMI compared to placebo or WM with the same LI cointerventions. Some weight-loss supplements have been found to have ingredients that aren't listed on the label, such as prescription medicines. Ephedra (ma-huang) is an herb once used for weight loss. If a product doesn't have this type of trial data, be careful about believing claims about its safety and how well it works for weight loss. Ideally the trial would have hundreds of people that researchers watched for side effects. So it's not possible to tell which ingredient caused the weight loss. Weight-loss medication coverage may come with restrictions. Sometimes, lifestyle and behavioral changes aren’t enough to help you lose weight. Your healthcare professional must also provide counseling in a primary care setting, such as a doctor’s office. Medicare covers obesity screening and behavioral counseling when you have a BMI of 30 or more. The gastric slowing is something that is known about this class of medications and contributes to the gastrointestinal side effects, but for the vast majority of people, they are able to tolerate the medications well. Given the cost of being on these medications, most of my patients wouldn’t be able to afford these drugs without insurance coverage. Prescription medications to treat overweight & obesity. The most significant change in lipid profile was in the triglycerides that were reduced by 13.0 mg/dl in the liraglutide 3.0 mg group vs. 5.5 mg/dl in the placebo group. In animal studies, peripheral administration of liraglutide results in uptake in specific brain regions regulating appetite, including the hypothalamus and brainstem (71). Liraglutide 3.0 mg (trade name Saxenda) was approved by the FDA in December 2014 for adult obesity and has proven efficacy in adolescents age 12 to 70). By addressing factors like metabolism, hormones, and lifestyle, it helps you lose weight, tone your body, and improve overall wellness with a sustainable approach. Combined with lifestyle changes, it supports sustainable fat loss and helps improve energy and long-term health. She was keen to lose weight to improve her health and overall wellbeing, and wished to explore other options to aid with her efforts to lose weight. Sally had previously tried to lose weight with lifestyle interventions, including VLEDs and structured exercise programs, and achieved modest weight loss of 5 kg, which was not sustainable. Her medications included amlodipine 10 mg daily, perindopril 8 mg daily and atorvastatin 40 mg daily. Many drugs that promote weight loss may be effective in the short term, but sustaining these results over the long term can be challenging. It works by preventing your body’s absorption of dietary fats, thus reducing the total amount of calories your body retains. It's crucial if you are considering these drugs to consult with a healthcare professional to assess the potential benefits and risks based on your specific health conditions. Similarly to semaglutide, liraglutide is also a GLP-1 agonist medication that helps to control blood sugar levels. Naltrexone (Revia) as monotherapy or in combination with any medication may interfere with acute pain management and perioperative treatment that requires opioids. The medication is contraindicated in patients with uncontrolled hypertension, history of cardiovascular disease, or untreated hyperthyroidism. Despite the concern for increased blood pressure with phentermine monotherapy, improved blood pressure control was observed after phentermine/topiramate ER treatments. However, it lacks sufficient evidence-based studies or clinical trials to evaluate the promising weight-reducing effects of MXGST herbal formulation in present research. Owing to little information about the efficacy of CHM on weight control, potential risks and adverse effects are confirmed. Hence, safety, tolerability, and efficacy are three impartible core issues surrounding the commencement of weight-loss medications. However, the safety or significant tolerability issues of the currently available anti-obesity medications arise in the long term use (Lee and Dixon 2017). It also leads to favorable changes in gut hormones that reduce appetite and improve blood sugar control, making it particularly effective for people with type 2 diabetes. Bariatric surgery is one of the most effective treatments for people with obesity, especially when other methods haven’t worked. Medications are most effective when combined with healthy eating and exercise and are typically prescribed for those with a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27+ with weight-related health issues, such as type 2 diabetes. These medications are designed to reduce appetite, increase feelings of fullness and affect how your body processes food. Regular movement—like walking, strength training, yoga or swimming—can aid in weight loss by preserving muscle mass and bone health, and fighting stress. Your child's doctor will monitor their height and weight carefully for as long as they're taking this medicine. These common side effects of prednisolone happen in more than 1 in 100 people. Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition. New treatments are essentially on the horizon, and novel research strategies have very recently come to the fore. Despite an inauspicious history, the pharmacological management of obesity is at an exciting crossroads. Consistent with this rationale, the authors report that new peptides with varying ratios of agonism both at glucagon and GLP-1 receptors have potent, sustained satiation-inducing and lipolytic effects in rodents (Day et al., 2009). On the basis of these observations, Day and colleagues reasoned that the antihyperglycaemic property of GLP-1R agonism could minimise any diabetogenic risk of excessive glucagon agonism. In this context, it would seem reasonable to suggest that man-made CNS-targeted agents would be more likely to engender adverse effects than would naturally occurring biological signals that normally regulate the activity of key CNS circuits. It’s less common than other weight-loss pills, though. Orlistat (Xenical) is another prescription weight-loss pill. So your prescriber may recommend taking it for longer, depending on your personal risks and benefits. And there were concerns that it could increase risk for heart disease. That’s because when it was approved in 1959, there were no long-term studies to show that it was safe. Many type 2 diabetes medications, including oral and injectable options, work in different ways to regulate blood glucose levels. Treatment with Ozempic also led to weight loss, which is considered beneficial in patients with diabetes. Find a trained obesity medicine physician or healthcare provider to customize a treatment plan for you. It is intended to be used indefinitely, in combination with a healthy diet and exercise. This progression can help to alleviate side effects, which include gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, dizziness, and fatigue. All of the medications discussed here are contraindicated for pregnancy. The medication’s cost and side effects will also affect the decision. Meal replacement services, dietary supplements, and over-the-counter medications are also likely not covered. Additionally, weight-loss medications can be costly. Being overweight or having obesity also raises the risk of premature death. People who have obesity are at an increased risk for many serious and chronic health conditions. The service is a lifestyle change and support program for people at risk of Type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, many weight-loss supplements contain multiple ingredients that have not been adequately tested in combination with one another.Even after you feel better, keep taking the medication as directed.Results from studies that used transgenic GIP-overexpressing mice or that administered GIP to humans show that GIP results in weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity (Hojberg et al., 2009; Kim et al., 2012), suggesting that GIP could be a therapeutic target for obesity.Eli Lilly recently announced that every eloralintide dose group in its phase 2 trial hit the study’s main weight-loss goals.Contrave is a weight loss medication that is taken by mouth along with a low-fat meal.A mean weight loss of 2.9–3.4% is observed after one year of orlistat.7 Side effects are due to fat malabsorption and include steatorrhoea, oily spotting, flatulence with discharge, faecal incontinence, fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies and calcium oxalate kidney stones.It may also help if you avoid rich or spicy food while you're taking this medicine. Many people with prediabetes need to take action now—if they don’t, they could develop type 2 diabetes within five years, according to the CDC. In general, those who maintain good physical health as they age can avoid prediabetes. Anyone who is not sure about their risk can take a simple online prediabetes test provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Others aren't committed to the type of intensive lifestyle change that is required of people who want to use these drugs to help them lose weight, she said. Many patients ask about weight-loss drugs, Jin said, which is what prompted her to write about the available options. Like all other approved weight-loss drugs, the combination of phentermine and topiramate is meant to be used with a diet and exercise routine. A 2004 review of research published in the journal Obesity Reviews found that orlistat is effective in reducing weight in obese patients, but caused more gastrointestinal distress than a placebo. Because weight loss was still ongoing at 52 weeks, researchers believe people may lose even more weight with longer treatment.Your healthcare provider will work with you to decide on the most suitable weight loss medicine for you.Evidence that weight loss medicines directly improve fertility is lacking.It’s important to remember that these medicines work while you take them, so the benefit of reduced cravings won’t persist once the medicine is no longer circulating in your body.It tends to lead to the largest amount of weight loss in the highest percentage of people.I've been more mindful about what I put in my body since I started, and I've made a point to be more active and I've made an effort to stick to a reduced calorie diet.Only a few clinical trials have examined the effects of green coffee bean extract on weight loss in humans, and all were of poor methodological quality.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.“Metformin is a good tool,” Dr. Anam says, adding that studies have shown the drug can decrease the risk of progression to type 2 diabetes, although to a lesser degree than lifestyle changes. In this study, researchers followed 18,417 healthy men and 39,740 healthy women enrolled in either the Nurses’ Health Study or the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. At the end of the study, participants taking the herbal product lost a mean of 5.1 kg compared to 0.3 kg for those taking the placebo. The 50 or 75 mg caffeine plus G-hesperidin also significantly reduced abdominal fat compared to placebo, whereas the G-hesperidin alone or with only 25 mg caffeine did not significantly affect BMI or abdominal fat. Before you get a weight loss drug prescription, tell your doctor about your medical history. Older medications include liraglutide (Saxenda), naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave), phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia), and orlistat (Alli, Xenical). They're more likely to be covered if you need the drugs for an added purpose, like reducing your heart disease risk. Following a healthy diet and staying physically active can help. A tablet version of the medication is also in the works, but it’s in earlier stages of development. Phase 3 studies are set to run through April 2026, and the corresponding data should be released during the first half of the year. In June 2025, Innovent Biologics announced that China’s regulatory agency approved mazdutide for chronic weight management in adults considered overweight or obese. With semaglutide, about one-fifth of participants reached those same goals. Meanwhile, those taking a placebo saw little to no change. Discontinuation for adverse effects is not different from placebo. This medication is contraindicated in patients with uncontrolled hypertension, history of cardiovascular disease, or untreated hyperthyroidism. Phentermine monotherapy leads to treatment discontinuation for adverse effects, with an NNH of 13 (95% CI, 8 to 27). Phentermine monotherapy (oral dosage of 15 to 37.5 mg, once daily) is the most commonly used anti-obesity medication. Naltrexone/bupropion ER leads to treatment discontinuation for adverse effects, with an NNH of 7 (95% CI, 4 to 15). One clinical trial reported 1.3% weight loss in the placebo group and 6.1% weight loss after NAL/BUP administration at a dose of 32 mg for 56 weeks. Its weight loss effects likely result from a combined dopaminergic and noradrenergic effect on proopiomelanocortin signaling; however, when administered alone, BUP’s weight loss benefits are modest. Although many anti-obesity medications have been developed, several have been withdrawn because of adverse events (Wen et al., 2022). “There are no blood tests that could let someone know they’re going to respond to a given therapy or medication, such as a GLP-1 analogue like semaglutide.” Another caveat is that not everyone will respond—about 13% of individuals with obesity in the semaglutide clinical trials didn’t lose any weight, Dr. Jastreboff says. The older generation of anti-obesity medications includes those that need to be taken once a day or more—one requires daily injections. “We talk about diabetes remission, and, in the same way, patients have obesity remission,” Dr. Jastreboff says. They answered commonly asked questions about anti-obesity medications. Participants who were receiving retatrutide continued to lose weight until treatment was stopped at 48 weeks, and the trajectory of the weight-reduction curves indicated that a plateau had not yet been reached. Based on the benefits of dual GLP-1/GIP RAs and dual GLP-1/glucagon RAs, the effect of triple GLP-1/GIP/glucagon RAs on weight loss and glycemic control has also been investigated. Considering that 6 mg was not enough to achieve the desired weight loss target for individuals with a higher BMI, mazdutide administration at a dose of 9 mg, exclusively for adults with a BMI ≥30 kg/m2, is under evaluation (Table 4). The end-of-treatment heart rate increase was similar to or slightly higher than that observed with placebo (Ji et al., 2023). In a phase 1b clinical trial in Chinese adults with overweight or obesity, mazdutide up to a dose of 10 mg was well tolerated and had an overall safety profile similar to those of other GLP-1-based therapies. In phase 2 clinical trials for obesity, survodutide (0.6, 2.4, 3.6, or 4.8 mg) reduced body weight dose-dependently and resulted in a body weight loss of 6.2% to 14.9%, compared with −2.8% after placebo, at 46 weeks. A preclinical study reported that ecnoglutide reduced blood glucose and body weight and increased insulin secretion significantly more than semaglutide (Guo et al., 2023). It tested whether, when added to standard care, semaglutide was superior to placebo in reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events among patients with overweight or obesity and preexisting cardiovascular disease who did not have T2DM. The STEP 2 trial (Davies et al., 2021) was conducted in people with obesity and T2DM; the mean weight loss was 9.6% with semaglutide and 3.4% weight loss with placebo and 69% of participants with semaglutide achieved weight loss ≥5%. However, evidence suggests that short-term treatment (3 to 6 months) with weight-loss medications does not produce long-term health benefits (Garvey et al., 2016); therefore, this review focuses on long-term weight-loss anti-obesity medications. We retrieved the electronic medical records (EMR) from eight CGMHs to provide real-world evidence, which involved patient information demographics, clinical parameters, diagnostic information, prescription information, and other health care facility information (Shao et al., 2021). The huge amount of clinical data has made the CGRD become a great resource for clinical studies (Shao et al., 2021). According to the statistics, CGMHs own 10,070 beds and admit more than 280,000 patients each year, supporting over 8,500,000 outpatient visits and 500,000 emergency department visits in 2015 (Shao et al., 2021). The CGMHs provide CHM and Western medicine (WM) for patient care, comprising eight medical institutes with different hospital levels, and serve as the largest medical system in Taiwan (Ku et al., 2021). With Mounjaro®, Wegovy® or Saxenda®, we’ll send you email reminders to reorder your treatment. We can verify who you are and that you meet the criteria needed for treatment. This allows our clinicians to ensure the treatment is right for you. Since 1990, worldwide adult obesity has more than doubled, and adolescent obesity has quadrupled. “Try to find options that you may not have considered before that may be very valuable” both for treatment and prevention, Kahan said. The National DPP Lifestyle Change Program is free for eligible people covered by Medicare. Those who live in rural areas or prefer a remote connection might try a virtual visit with a healthcare professional. Then, insurers generally cover care for both the excess weight and the co-morbid condition. Benefits related to your heart health are still being studied. Some people can develop an immune system reaction to exenatide. Exenetide is the oldest of the GLP-1 agonists approved to treat type 2 diabetes. Overall, consuming capsaicinoids significantly reduced energy intake by a mean of 74 kcal per meal; body weight was not assessed, so the impact of this calorie reduction on weight loss cannot be quantified. Most research on capsaicin and other capsaicinoids focuses on their effects on energy intake and appetite, rather than body weight. Overall, the results from clinical trials do not support a clear link between higher calcium intakes and lower body weight, prevention of weight gain, or weight loss. This medication is to be used alongside a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity in adults.Wegovy won FDA approval to reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, or cardiovascular death, and Zepbound recently became the first drug approved for obstructive sleep apnea.For personalised weight loss advice please take our assessment, and our clinicians will review it and respond.Other common risk factors for prediabetes include being older than 45, exercising fewer than three times a week, having a parent or sibling with (or a family history of) type 2 diabetes, and giving birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds.A medicine called clomifene may be the first treatment recommended for women with PCOS who are trying to get pregnant.Taken together, these results indicate that the effects of probiotics on body weight and obesity might depend on several factors, including the probiotic strain, dose, and duration as well as certain characteristics of the user, including age, sex, and baseline body weight.In people with prediabetes, some of the long-term damage to the blood vessels, heart, and kidneys may already be starting. Zepbound is approved to treat obesity in adults with a BMI of 30 or greater. Ozempic may be a more familiar name to some patients. Wegovy is a brand name for semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Across all RCTs, participants experienced an average increase in heart rate of 1-4 beats per minute (bpm); 26% of individuals on semaglutide vs. 16% of those on placebo had increased heart rates by 20 bpm or more (84). However, most of these were mild-moderate in severity; serious adverse events occurred in 9.8% of those receiving semaglutide vs. 6.4% of those on placebo. The most common side effects in phase 3 RCTs of semaglutide 2.4mg were nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and constipation. Although CLA appears to reduce body fat mass in animals , results from human studies suggest that its effects are small and of questionable clinical relevance . Compared to placebo, Coleus forskohlii extract had no effect on body weight, appetite, caloric intake, or macronutrient intake. The authors concluded that daily doses of 137 to 1,000 mcg chromium for 8 to 26 weeks reduce body weight by 0.5 kg and percent body fat by 0.46%. Several studies have evaluated the effects of chromium supplements, usually in the form of chromium picolinate, on weight loss. Lean muscle mass is the weight of the body that is not fat — including muscles, bones, organs and more. While GLP-1 drugs promote fat loss, rapid weight reduction can lead to 15–25% lean muscle mass loss. “The patients taking GLP-1 RA medications report that the ‘food noise’ — the constant thinking about food — is quieter,” Ali said. Fiber-rich diets and probiotics may also enhance these effects, reinforcing gut health during therapy. “Lowering prices might encourage more people who might benefit from these medications to start using them.” Adults living with Type 2 diabetes saw about 14% weight loss along with improvements in blood sugar readings. After about 68 weeks (15 months), adults without diabetes lost about 20% of their body weight on average. Traditional GLP-1 medications were effective, but resulted in less weight loss overall. A recently published meta analysis concluded that retatrutide led to the most weight loss among GLP-1-based treatments, but it also caused the most side effects. As with many other weight-loss medications, monulubant is linked to mild to moderate GI-related side effects. More detailed information about each of the above weight loss medications can be found in the latest edition of Obesity Medicine Association’s Obesity Algorithm®. Some patients may lose about 5% of their body weight. Some patients may lose 5–10% of body weight. Some patients may lose an average of 5–10% of body weight. Book a free call with our team to discuss any questions you may have about Medicspot’s weight loss medications. Some GLP-1 medications are licensed for both diabetes and weight management, but the dose and brand differ. How weight loss medications work Semaglutide did not reduce total cholesterol and LDL-C levels, likely due to the small number of studies included and high heterogeneity, leading to a moderate to low certainty of the evidence. The known mechanism by which orlistat decreases dietary cholesterol absorption is the inhibition of intestinal lipases.32 Our results suggest that orlistat also exerts a significant lipid-lowering effect (Table 1). In contrast, naltrexone/bupropion, naltrexone, and bupropion increased both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The comprehensive summary of the included studies is presented in Table S1 in Supplementary Appendix 7. At the time, it was thought that obesity was caused by increased hunger and overeating, so reducing appetite and speeding up metabolism was appropriate. And according to Dr. Butsch, this new generation of drugs is safer and more effective than ever. “We now understand obesity isn’t a character flaw,” says W. Does it feel like you’ve tried every type of buzzy diet and all the ways to get fit and firm (yep, even cardio drumming) and still no progress? The 75 mg caffeine plus G-hesperidin significantly reduced BMI by a mean of 0.56 versus 0.02 for placebo. A product containing caffeine plus glucosyl hesperidin (G-hesperidin, a flavonone glycoside found mainly in citrus fruits) reduced abdominal fat and BMI in a clinical trial in Japan . Habitual use of caffeine however, leads to caffeine tolerance and a diminishment of these effects 41,43. In March 2024, semaglutide 2.4 mg received FDA-approval for the treatment of CVD in adults with preexisting CVD and obesity or overweight. Both 56-week, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trials demonstrated significantly greater mean weight loss than placebo (8% vs. 2.6% in SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (28) and 6.0% vs. 2% in SCALE Diabetes (73). The primary endpoints were percent change from baseline body weight and the proportion of patients achieving at least a 5% reduction in body weight. Compared to those taking placebo, those receiving Phaseolus vulgaris lost significantly more body weight (mean loss of 2.91 kg vs. 0.92 kg for placebo) and body fat (2.23 kg vs. 0.65 kg for placebo). After the publication of that review, a 12-week clinical trial in 123 men and women with overweight or obesity (BMI 25–35) showed that Phaseolus vulgaris modestly yet significantly reduced body weight and body fat . However, according to a meta-analysis of 12 vitamin D supplementation trials (including 5 in which body composition measurements were primary outcomes), vitamin D supplements without calorie restriction did not affect body weight or fat mass compared to placebo . Compared to the placebo group, those receiving METABO lost significantly more body weight (mean loss of 1.9 kg vs. 0.4 kg for placebo) and fat mass. In mice fed a high-fat diet, raspberry ketone supplementation reduced food intake and body weight compared to the same diet without raspberry ketone . You may be prescribed tirzepatide by a healthcare professional at a specialist weight management service if they feel it is the right treatment for you. A specialist weight management service can prescribe semaglutide for obesity for a maximum of 2 years. If you have type 2 diabetes, it may take you longer to lose weight using orlistat, so your target weight loss after 3 months may be slightly lower. Treatment with orlistat should only continue beyond 3 months if you've lost 5% of your body weight. Rapid weight loss from the medication may decrease your overall muscle mass Successful weight loss takes a long-term commitment — build a healthy lifestyle you can stick with “We finally have medications that are highly effective in treating obesity for the long term, and it’s a game-changer for those who really need it,” says Dr. Butsch. “One of the most common misconceptions is that people believe they could take a medication for a few months, then stop and maintain their weight. It’s important to note that while medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide have been proven effective, GLP-1s can be expensive due to the lack of insurance coverage. Green coffee extract, probably because of its chlorogenic acid content, inhibits fat accumulation in mice and humans by regulating adipogenesis. Glucomannan appears to be well tolerated for short-term use, with minor adverse effects, including belching, bloating, loose stools, flatulence, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal discomfort 139,143,144,146. Reports have also described 10 cases of liver toxicity, resulting in one death and two liver transplants, in people taking products containing Garcinia cambogia 43, . However, dietary supplements containing Garcinia cambogia have been implicated in three cases of mania, which might have been caused by the serotonergic activity of HCA . The reported adverse effects of Garcinia cambogia and HCA are generally mild and include headache, nausea, upper respiratory tract symptoms, and gastrointestinal symptoms 128,130,132. It works by helping the pancreas to release the right amount of insulin when blood sugar levels are high. If so, your doctor will probably tell you not to use semaglutide injection. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had thyroid cancer or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2; condition that causes tumors in more than one gland in the body). Consult a doctor or other healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. Can men and women use the same medications? All GLP-1 and dual-agonist medications are prescription-only in the UK. You should tell your doctor if you have anxiety or mood disorders before using these medicines. These medicines are only FDA-approved to be used short-term, up to 12 weeks. There are other medicines that can reduce your desire to eat. They share common side effects, including constipation, dizziness, dry mouth, diarrhea, and nausea. These are not all the side effects of amitriptyline. Amitriptyline can reduce your blood pressure when you stand up. This is probably due to low blood pressure. Get more fibre into your diet such as fresh fruit, vegetables and cereals, and drink plenty of water. This means the common side effects tend to be milder and go away within a few days.