But it’s hard for many people to lose and keep weight off through diet and exercise alone. This increases the risk of other diseases, including hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes and high cholesterol. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 70% of Americans have obesity or are overweight. Of these, liraglutide, administered as daily subcutaneous injections, isapproved at the 1.8 mg dose for diabetes and 3.0 mg dose for obesity. Four drugs– phentermine, diethylpropion, phendimetrazine, and benzphetamine –have been available in the US for over 5 decades for short-term treatment ofobesity. Antiobesitydrug therapy may also be helpful for maintenance of initial weight loss achievedwith diet and exercise . Meta-analyses of olderrandomized controlled trials (RCTs) of lifestyle modifications (i.e. diet andexercise) demonstrate that every 1 kg of weight loss corresponds to a short-term(2–3 year) decline in systolic blood pressure of 1 mm Hg 34, 35. Additionally, measurement of bloodpressure can be significantly complicated by large body habitus , further hindering the management of hypertension inobesity. Should young people take creatine? Most people are on these medicines long term, so the expense adds up quickly. The risk of side effects may also depend on other medicines you're taking. Common side effects may include nausea, feeling overfull, constipation and diarrhoea. Weight loss medicines, like all medicines, have a wide range of side effects. It may also depend on the dose of the medicine that works best for you without getting side effects. You can get health news and information from The Science of Health blog delivered right to your inbox every month. They are not recommended for children, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and those with certain health conditions like liver or kidney problems. Some also report side effects like irritability, anxiety and/or sleep problems. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a naturally occurring hormone that is released by the intestines after eating and stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin, which lowers blood sugar levels. “These metabolic changes can make it considerably more difficult to lose weight and keep it off.” Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist initially used to treat T2DM, and controls hyperglycaemia without causing hypoglycaemia or weight gain. In individuals with T2DM, improvements in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) of 0.4% were also observed with orlistat, compared with controls.17 The XENical in the prevention of Diabetes in Obese Subjects (XENDOS) study found that orlistat reduces the incidence of T2DM by 37% over four years when added to lifestyle therapy in patients who are obese.18 Gastrointestinal side effects, the main reason for discontinuing therapy, can be reduced by adhering to a low-fat diet and increasing dietary fibre. Using the lowest effective dose also reduces risks of side effects. Starting with 15 mg and grading up as needed reduces early cessation because of predictable, generally mild, sympathomimetic effects of dry mouth, insomnia, agitation, constipation and tachycardia. It’s proven to help patients lose 15–20% of their body weight when combined with lifestyle changes. In this guide, we’ll break down the Top 5 strongest weight loss medications in South Africa — how they work, pricing, availability, and which one may be right for you. These products may provide a more affordable option for patients whose insurance doesn’t cover FDA-approved medications and could serve as an alternative during shortages. While Ozempic and other drugs like it have proven effective in helping people lose weight, many gain it back when the injections stop. Food and Drug Administration, unlike the popular medications themselves. Depending on your relationship to food, it may be best to approach weight loss from a more comprehensive perspective that addresses the physical and the emotional. Finally, individuals with a history of disordered eating should discuss the drugs with their doctor and therapist before starting. “It sounds a cautionary note for short-term use without a more comprehensive approach to weight management.” Your provider will consider appropriate medications for you, which in many cases include GLP-1s. All medications require eligibility and a prescription. Your care team will help you with insurance coverage for medications, if applicable. Programs do not include the cost of GLP-1 medications. These drugs reduce appetite by making you feel full more quickly, so food is less rewarding. The effects last much longer than those of the GLP-1 produced by your body. GLP-1 also prevents more glucose from going into your bloodstream by blocking secretion of glucagon, a hormone your body uses to raise your blood sugar levels when necessary. The BBC is asking the court to postpone discovery — the pretrial process in which parties must turn over documents and other information — pending a decision on the motion to dismiss. In September, the US Food and Drug Administration added a warning to the label for Ozempic to account for reports of blocked intestines in some patients. Ozempic and Wegovy are known to cause some unpleasant side effects such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiting, but their increasing popularity has led to concerns about more serious outcomes ranging from suicidal thoughts to thyroid cancer. “Treatment decisions should be made together with a healthcare provider who can evaluate the appropriateness of using a GLP-1 based on assessment of a patient's individual medical profile.” Novo Nordisk said it stands behind “the safety and efficacy of all of our GLP-1RA medicines when used consistent with the product labeling and approved indications” and said the study in JAMA has limitations. You can visit the NHS website for more information on weight loss medications. Or is there anything you're not sure about weight loss medications after reading this page? Weight loss can occur when taking medications such as metformin, Rybelsus or Ozempic, but these medications are not licensed for weight loss. Specifically, higher doses of semaglutide are linked to a greater risk of gastrointestinal (GI) side effects. "Off-label" means a doctor uses a medication to treat a condition or symptom for which it was not explicitly designed or officially approved. Their use as a weight management aid is off-label. Certain GLP-1 drugs (Ozempic, Rybelsus, Victoza) can increase your risk of developing certain medical conditions. In addition to helping manage blood sugar levels, they have been shown to help patients lose more than lbs in a little over a year (56 weeks). Months after talking about getting on Ozempic, Oshry told Page Six that she had quit the drug and was in a good space. She went on to disclose that she initially had reservations about using a drug to curb her appetite. Toward the end of 2024, however, he encountered a little bit of a setback when he ran out of semaglutide supply. Jon Gosselin's journey of managing his weight has been long and demanding, but the "Jon & Kate Plus 8" star has attempted to remain dedicated to it. Prescription weight-loss pills—like naltrexone, bupropion, or metformin—are taken by mouth and typically help reduce appetite or affect how your body absorbs food. Prescription weight-loss pills and injectables both help support weight loss, but they work in different ways. If you experience any side effects or have concerns about your medication, reach out to your WeightWatchers Clinic Care Team right away. If you treat patients for overweight or obesity, you likely have patients asking you about these drugs, including newer ones like semaglutide and liraglutide. These drugs have also been shown to lead to weight loss in individuals with obesity or excess body weight. Just like any other medications, prescription weight loss drugs can come with side effects. "The more we understand the complex physiology of body weight regulation, the more likely we'll be using a combination of medications in the treatment of obesity," he says. Dr. Butsch says the future of weight-loss medications will lie in pairing drugs that work together to enhance weight loss without causing unacceptable side effects. “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.” Lilly, which will also offer the $149 starting price under the Trump agreement, says additional doses of orforglipron will cost up to $399 if patients are paying cash. “That’s just sort of like a loading dose, to let your body get used to it.” It can take several months of making lifestyle changes and possibly using medicine before you start to see changes in your weight and any related health conditions. Your GP can advise you about losing weight safely by eating a healthy, balanced diet and doing regular physical activity. If you're living with obesity, your GP can offer you advice about improving your lifestyle and losing and managing your weight safely. Tell your health care provider if you take diabetes medicines, especially insulin and sulfonylurea medicines. "With the drug now available in pill form and obesity rates falling, broader usage could have further implications for waist lines," analysts said. During your online consultation for weight loss injections, you’ll need to upload a video showing your weight and ID. To get the best results while on a weight loss injection or pill, it’s recommended that you follow a calorie-controlled diet and engage in regular exercise. The studies have been able to establish the efficacy, but data is lacking regarding long-term side effects. Special attention should be paid when prescribing this medication to the possibility of acute angle-closure glaucoma, teratogenicity in reproductive-age females, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. The dosage affected the efficacy, and a limiting factor was the association of phentermine-topiramate with nervous system side effects . Grabarczyk performed a study with Veteran Health Administration (VHA) and found that after 20 weeks, phentermine-topiramate led to a 4.1% decrease in weight from baseline vs 3.6% for phentermine alone vs 2.1% for orlistat vs 1.6% in those on MOVE! WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Your doctor can help you decide whether a clinical trial is right for you and may know about one you can join. One way to find a clinical trial is through clinicaltrials.gov. Still, stigma and shaming about being overweight persist. Public healthcare coverage in the U.S. through Medicare should also broaden as these drugs are approved for obesity-related co-morbidities.Talk to a healthcare provider online and save on CONTRAVEWith the right support and ongoing commitment to healthier habits, significant weight loss can be maintained even after stopping the medication.The trial was extended to study the long-term effects in older adults with type 2 diabetes.Thorough knowledge of side effects, precautions and contraindications of these medications is essential and we caution against their prescription by practitioners without expertise in obesity management.However, keeping a healthy lifestyle may help to prevent or reduce weight regain.Serious potential side effects can include an allergic reaction, raised heart rate, pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, kidney problems, and suicidal thoughts. These drugs can also make you feel less hungry and cause weight loss. These medications are extremely effective tools for weight loss. Injectable medications have treated diabetes for years, and some now treat obesity. Even certain medications and health conditions may cause weight gain. Weight loss medications are prescription drugs that help control your appetite and food cravings. Are there any over-the-counter weight loss remedies? Different types of medicines may suit different people's needs. They will consider your health status, your age, other health conditions you may have and any other medicines you're taking. Your healthcare provider will discuss the various options with you. Each works in different ways, has different side effects and the cost may differ too. Additionally, articles published within Cureus should not be deemed a suitable substitute for the advice of a qualified health care professional. In addition to the newer GLP-1 drugs, there are other FDA-approved drugs that can help people lose excess body weight. Other anti-obesity drugs help people lose only about 5% to 8% of their body weight. The GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs you're referring to lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes and powerfully reduce weight in people with obesity. That stress pushes the body into survival mode, where hair growth shuts down and shedding shows up months later. Patients currently using injections can switch to the pill form if they prefer, though some may choose to continue with their current treatment. Local pharmacies are expected to make the medication available soon. At the time of writing, orlistat is the only weight loss agent approved for long-term clinical use in Europe. An alternative strategy to surgery is to develop therapeutic agents that can reduce body weight by decreasing the consumption or absorption of food, and/or by increasing energy expenditure (Cooke and Bloom, 2006; Sargent and Moore, 2009). It is therefore unsurprising that anti-obesity drug discovery programmes have been littered with false starts, failures in clinical development, and withdrawals due to adverse effects that were not fully appreciated at the time of launch. Saxenda, a GLP-1 receptor agonist and was the first approved weight loss injection in South Africa. How do health care professionals use prescription medications “off-label” to treat overweight and obesity? Over the past few years, weight loss medications have become very popular, thanks in part to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs). With the exception of orlistat, the currently approved antiobesity drugshave not been studied well among patients with overweight/obesity andhypertension. Whereas a small degree (2–5%) of weight loss, if maintained for 2years, can significantly reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes among patients withoverweight/obesity and weight loss of 5–10% significantly improvesglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes, reductions in blood pressure are lesssignificant and vary with mild to moderate weight loss . These medicines can only be prescribed by a healthcare professional alongside programmes that support you to lose weight and live healthier by making changes to your diet and physical activity. If you have not lost weight after taking orlistat for 3 months, it's unlikely to be an effective treatment for you. Never take a medicine for weight management if it has not been prescribed for you. All medicines for supporting weight management should be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. The older generation of anti-obesity medications includes those that need to be taken once a day or more—one requires daily injections. Doctors still prescribe older FDA-approved medications, which also target the brain. “We talk about diabetes remission, and, in the same way, patients have obesity remission,” Dr. Jastreboff says. Dr. Jastreboff’s participant in the tirzepatide clinical trial had side effects that included stomach problems, some exhaustion, and difficulty staying hydrated, but the participant thought they were minor compared to the side effects and complications of obesity. They answered commonly asked questions about anti-obesity medications. If you have type 2 diabetes and you want to find out if these medicines might be useful for you to lose weight, talk with your diabetes care team. But it's not clear whether these benefits are from the medicine or a result of weight loss. Many people who take these medicines also see their blood pressure improve. The weight loss benefits of SGLT-2 inhibitors typically are less than those of GLP-1 agonists. These medicines work in the kidneys where they help take extra sugar out of the blood that then goes out of the body in urine. To date, there have not been any safety signals that have emerged to suggest that any of the currently available medications are not suitable for use in the long term. Several recent cardiovascular outcome trials have reported positive data on patients with T2DM at high cardiovascular risk. In the cohort that tolerated the combination, further weight loss of 5% (6.7 kg) was observed after a mean duration of 22 months. Contact your insurance provider to find out if your plan covers these medications. Developing and maintaining healthy eating habits and increasing physical activity may help you regain less weight or keep it off. Most side effects are mild and most often improve if you continue to take the medication. But these medications have risks and side effects. They’ll need to monitor your weight loss and make sure it’s still safe for you to take the medication. Most adults can expect to lose between 3% to 12% of their starting body weight after one year. In a mid-stage study, patients with obesity taking MariTide lost up to 16.2% of their weight in one year when analyzing all participants regardless of discontinuations, or up to 19.9% when only analyzing those who stayed on the treatment. "I am not even looking for greater weight loss anymore. What is wrong with 16% and 22% weight loss? Nothing, right?" said Apovian, referring to the levels of weight loss seen with some existing and experimental drugs. Several companies are trying to drive innovation with new drugs that promote weight loss differently, are taken less frequently or preserve muscle mass, among other changes. In patients that are hesitant about giving themselves an injection, you can educate a family member or a friend, whoever really will be helping them administer that medication. But another patient education point, remember these are injectable medications, is that we need to make sure that they know how to inject these medications safely. But for weight management, it really depends on the patient and how much weight they’re looking to lose. And I think this, too, is a good segue into how long the evidence recommends prescribing these medications. LIRAGLUTIDE 3.0 So you can see how these medications not only help to improve glucose control, but how they would also promote weight loss. And although these medications are effective for weight loss, we need to ask ourselves, how do they actually work? But, as real deal nurse practitioners, we definitely need to know how these medications are working in the body and how to safely prescribe them, because our patients will be asking about them. Over the past couple of years, these medications have gotten a lot of attention from celebrities, social media influencers, for their seemingly magical weight loss powers. The inclusion of tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) in the weight management pathway requires new services and training for healthcare professionals. The demand for these drugs has also caused shortages for people who really need them. For more advice, check the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority (MHRA) guidance for accessing Wegovy and other weight-loss drugs. Criminals were not just making fake versions of Mounjaro and Wegovy but also retatrutide, an experimental drug that is still in clinical trials and has not yet been approved for use anywhere in the world. Detailed analysis revealed that body weight reduction was achieved by a loss of body fat arising from decreased intake and increased expenditure. Traditional pharmacological monotherapies for obesity, although initially successful in achieving weight loss, are often subject to counter-regulation. This would support further development of CB1 receptor antagonists that do not cross the blood-brain barrier; indeed, several such agents have recently been reported to produce weight loss in rodent models (e.g. Chen et al., 2010; Randall et al., 2010). Second, it is known that tolerance develops to the acute anorectic effect but not the weight loss effects of rimonabant-like compounds, and that the weight loss effect might involve CB1 receptors in peripheral tissues. Recent preclinical evidence suggests that neutral antagonists might retain the weight loss advantages of rimonabant, but without the adverse effects of this agent (e.g. Cluny et al., 2011). Although more research into all of the aforementioned medications is needed, current data provide sufficient evidence to support their use.It's made by the same company as Ozempic, which also has the same active ingredient semaglutide.In a late-stage trial funded by the pharmaceutical company, people lost 20% of their body weight on average after taking the drug for a year and four months.As this drug was approved by the FDA under the condition of further follow-up studies, including an evaluation of long-term safety regarding cardiovascular disease , a more accurate assessment of long-term safety will be possible after these results become available.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.In clinical trials, mild depressive mood and anxiety, which do not require special treatment, were less common in the naltrexone ER/bupropion ER treatment group, which could be attributed to the effects of bupropion.Phentermine/topiramate, NB and liraglutide were investigated in patients with depression.Dapagliflozin on a background of metformin was found to result in a placebo-subtracted weight loss of 2.42kg at 102 weeks in adults with T2D and obesity (134).If each medicine is used at a low dose, some of the adverse effects may be avoided.“Some drugs suppress your appetite by tricking your brain into thinking your stomach is full, and others block the absorption of dietary fat by inhibiting lipase, an enzyme that breaks down fats.” FCC takes aim at talk shows in fight over ‘equal time’ rules for politicians Your healthcare provider can help you understand the pros and cons of this treatment and if it’s right for you. "We are confident that the expansion of Wegovy to a pill will help patients who may have not sought or accepted treatment before," Moore said this week. "The FDA approval of Wegovy pill -- the first oral GLP-1 for adults with obesity and overweight with weight-related medical problems -- has the potential to impact millions of Americans," Dave Moore, executive vice president of Novo Nordisk Inc.'s U.S. operations, said in a statement. Known as incretin mimetics, they also improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels. 2 Every FSA/HSA plan is unique, and Noom does not provide medical, healthcare benefit, or tax advice to individuals. Lilly USA LLC is the only United States company with FDA-approved products containing tirzepatide identified under the trade names Zepbound® and Mounjaro® 2 Every FSA\/HSA plan is unique, and Noom does not provide medical, healthcare benefit, or tax advice to individuals. Noom is the smartest way to not only lose more weight – but keep it off to live better longer. Subsequently, a second-generation amylin analogue, davalintide, was developed and completed phase II trials.It’s not clearly understood why, but some people experience changes in their sense of taste, such as having a metallic taste in their mouth, when taking a weight-loss medication.Although some health care professionals prescribe them for longer periods, not many research studies have looked at how safe and effective they are for long-term use.On the positive side, it found two drugs countered muscle atrophy in mice.They may only provide temporary weight loss.The aim of this manuscript is to review the pharmacologic management of obesity in adults, suggest an algorithm for the treatment approach of excess weight, and describe potential drugs that are currently under investigation.Identifying this brain area should help scientists find GLP-1 drugs that target the reward system while avoiding areas involved in appetite, Güler says.The European Medicines Agency has only approved orlistat, naltrexone ER/bupropion ER, and liraglutide for long-term use .Now adoption of these medications is gaining strength internationally, bolstering their potential market. 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. The weight reduction was 2.2 kg in the placebo group, which indicates that tesofensine might have twice the weight reduction effect of previously developed drugs . As there is no significant difference in the incidence of depression or anxiety between naltrexone ER/bupropion ER and placebo groups, naltrexone ER/bupropion ER is the recommended drug for patients with obesity and comorbid mood disorders. 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. For example, it may cause digestive issues and low blood pressure in some people. It has potential benefits in treating conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, and PCOS, and in improving gut health. Berberine’s effects on blood clotting and blood sugar levels in particular may impact the success of surgery and make recovery take longer. Although berberine may help with some health issues, depending on your situation, it may cause negative side effects. Some medications are administered orally, and others are given as subcutaneous injections. It was FDA-approved for obesity in November 2023 under the brand name Zepbound. In addition to impressive weight loss, studies show improvements in cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic markers. Researchers continue to study hormones that play a role in appetite for other ways to target obesity with medication. The study provided a comprehensive overview of evidence on GLP-1 RA use in the treatment of substance use disorders. One clinical study found no differences in self-reported euphoria, craving, or cocaine infusions in individuals with cocaine use disorder treated with exenatide compared with placebo. A pilot study reported that a combination of exenatide and nicotine replacement therapy improved smoking abstinence rates, reduced withdrawal symptoms, and alleviated post-cessation weight gain. This medication is injected under the skin. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions. Changes to diet and exercise are often combined with this medication. She brought the same bluntness to the viral conversation around weight-loss drugs with an open admission about her own experiences with them. When nothing helped Spelling shed the pregnancy weight off — she made changes to her food and workout routines — she turned to the weight-loss drugs that came to take Hollywood by storm. Tori Spelling of "Beverly Hills, 90210" fame turned to medication for weight loss after giving birth to her fifth child in 2017. Winfrey has been discrete about the kind of medication she used in her weight loss journey, revealing only that she relied on it "as a tool to manage not yo-yoing." Registered in South Africa for type 2 diabetes, launched via Aspen Pharmacare in late 2024. Brown University Health, Rhode Island's first health system, was founded in 1994 by Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital. The FDA has issued safety alerts when they become aware of specific compounding pharmacies operating illegally or notice safety issues, such as increased medication overdoses. Unlike FDA-approved GLP-1ra, which are available in standard concentrations and prefilled pens, compounded versions may come in multiple-dose vials or prefilled syringes with varying strengths. Currently, semaglutide is in shortage, and tirzepatide was previously in shortage but is no longer. 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). Secondary endpoints in the STEP 1 trial included weight circumference, blood pressure, lipids, c-reactive protein, HbA1c, and physical functioning scores (SF-36, IWQOL-Lite-CT), all of which showed significantly greater improvement than placebo (133). In March 2024, semaglutide 2.4 mg received FDA-approval for the treatment of CVD in adults with preexisting CVD and obesity or overweight. After reaching her desired weight, Spelling stopped using Ozempic in early 2024. The reality star was also given hormonal prescriptions along with the diabetes medicine. "I couldn't lose the weight and the doctor was like, 'Well, it's an age thing,'" she said. The actor, who shares all of her children with her ex-husband Dean McDermott, revealed on an episode of her podcast "misSPELLING" that she was unable to lose her baby weight after the couple's youngest, Beau Dean McDermott, came along. Morgan, however, also caused a little bit of a flurry with certain remarks he made in jest about Ozempic on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," saying that he had managed to "out-eat" the medication and ended up gaining 40 pounds. Medical providers, policy makers, and pharmaceutical industries have increasingly recognized the need for safe and effective pharmacotherapy for patients with overweight or obesity. Metreleptin is administered as a once daily subcutaneous injection with dosages ranging from 0.06 mg/kg/d to 10 mg/d, depending on body weight and sex. It has been used off-label for the treatment of obesity and other endocrine complications in people with congenital leptin deficiency and hypothalamic amenorrhea (159). Randomized controlled trials have shown that topiramate is both tolerable and effective in promoting weight loss (61). RxList does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The use of ephedra can cause high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems. Other health problems reported included seizures, cardiovascular disorders, and serious muscle damage. Remember that supplements can have side effects, and you should check with your doctor first before taking any type of supplement, including OTC diet pills. In rare cases, people have had serious liver injury with orlistat. Orlistat can cause side effects such as passing gas and having loose stools. Liraglutide also is used to manage diabetes. Common side effects include nausea, headache and constipation. Bupropion-naltrexone can raise blood pressure. "Many middle-aged woman, they benefit from this medication because it's out of their control ... It's our own misconception that we have of how somebody should look and what it means."Tell us about your medical history and weight journey to see if you medically qualify for medications.Patients are able to reduce their risk for diabetes and diabetes-related complications.The percentage of patients who achieved a clinically meaningful treatment response (defined as achieving at least 5% weight loss after 1 year of treatment) ranged from 36% to 57% with CONTRAVE, compared to 17% to 43% with placebo.Early research suggests that metformin may help manage diabetes better than berberine.The Wegovy injectable comes as a higher concentration and dose for weight loss management.The FDA-approved pill contains the same medicine as Wegovy injections but requires higher dosages because it is not absorbed as well in the gastrointestinal tract, said Dr. Drew Payne, D.O.The maximum recommended dose of lixisenatide (Lyxumia) is 20 mcg once daily via subcutaneous injection and is licensed for use in people with T2D as monotherapy in those who cannot take metformin or as an add-on treatment to oral agents and/or insulin . Use our healthcare provider finder for help. In the meantime, are you looking for a weight-loss specialist to talk about CONTRAVE? Many people struggle to control their eating. Check any conditions you have that may be related to your weight Even without health insurance, you can still pay $99 or less per month for CONTRAVE with the CurAccess™ Patient Support Program. Additionally, this area is rapidly evolving so it is recommended to check the TGA for the latest updates on medications approved for weight management.Registered in South Africa for type 2 diabetes, launched via Aspen Pharmacare in late 2024.In the study, phentermine-topiramate was shown to have the lowest likelihood of discontinuation due to side effects .One area of substantial interest has focused on the weight loss effects of the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists that are already licensed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.Studies show that weight management medications work best when combined with a lifestyle program.Side effects include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, headache, decreased appetite, dyspepsia, fatigue, dizziness, abdominal pain, increased lipase, and renal insufficiency. Stay connected to your care. We need more data on the long-term effects and other outcomes related to cardiovascular health, particularly in lower-risk individuals. The high prices of semaglutide and tirzepatide currently limit access, while liraglutide’s expired patent has allowed for more affordable generic versions to become available. The information about side effects is based on the likelihood of people having them. But when side effects are listed as common in the Patient Information Leaflet, it doesn’t mean that everyone that takes the medication will get them. Currently not all areas of the UK have specialist weight management services. Based in our London office, our doctors and independent pharmacists have years of experience caring for patients in NHS hospitals, GP surgeries or in community pharmacies. We’ll be able to confirm your identity and BMI, so we can deliver your treatment to your chosen address. For more information on these, please visit our side effects summaries for Wegovy and Mounjaro. “While there are limitations to measuring BMI, measuring it can be a first step to determining your risk for any further weight-related diseases.” - Dr Bhavini Shah So, you might be advised by your GP to make lifestyle changes to try and lose weight. Semaglutide (Ozempic), 2.4 mg injected subcutaneously weekly, with lifestyle interventions results in the greatest weight loss. Glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists are contraindicated for patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 and who are receiving treatment with dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 inhibitors. Four medications meet that criterion. Some people may wish to avoid side effects of the drugs by 'easing' the body into the medication to try and avoid common issues like nausea or bloating. Ozempic is approved for people with type 2 diabetes to help manage blood sugar levels, though weight loss can be a side effect. Wegovy is approved for weight management in people with obesity, or those who are overweight and have related health conditions. 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. How often you need to inject these medications varies from twice daily to once weekly, depending on the medication. Many states do not cover weight-management medications under their pharmacy benefit.Some people find that they lose weight when they use certain diabetes medications.For newer medicines such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, regain averaged 0.8 kg (~1.8 pounds) per month, with projections indicating return to baseline by approximately 1.5 years - though information on weight change beyond 12 months after these drugs remains limited.Ask your health care professional about lifestyle treatment programs for weight management that will work for you."I'd be working out, eating healthy, running around all the time and nothing ... I just wasn't feeling my best self. I was feeling tired and sluggish," she recalled.Rebuild your nutrient intake and restore protein to support keratin production — If your appetite has been low, your body has been running in a nutrient deficit. Www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-approves-weight-management-drug-patients-aged-12-and-older Researchers are working to identify safer and more effective medications to help people who are overweight or have obesity lose weight and maintain a healthy weight for a long time. Side effects and other reactions to weight management medications are possible.10 For more information, visit the FDA drug database, DRUGS@FDA. When combined with lifestyle and behavior changes, including healthy eating and increased physical activity, prescription medications help some people lose weight and maintain weight loss. Not everyone loses weight while taking the medicines. Your body may not absorb important vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients from food while you are using orlistat. Despite this side effect, most people tolerate this medicine. But not everyone loses weight while taking it. The different weight-loss medicines are described below. You may need blood work done while you are taking this medication. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. It works by increasing insulin levels in your body, which decreases your blood sugar (glucose). Many people have struggled to access these medications due to supply issues, high prices, and limited insurance coverage. A new drug targets weight loss differently, leading to a more permanent fat-shedding solution. Saying that, there are certain individuals who should not take semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and other GLP-1 receptor agonist medications. If you are considering weight-loss medication and are planning a pregnancy, it's crucial to discuss the potential impacts with your healthcare provider. Obesity itself can be a contributing factor to fertility issues, and weight loss through a combination of lifestyle changes and medication can potentially improve fertility outcomes in some cases. If you are going to need surgery or a procedure, tell your care team that you are taking this medication. Make sure you stay hydrated while taking this medication. You may be more at risk for certain types of cancer if you take this medication. Some types of stress that may affect your blood sugar include fever, infection, and surgery. Tell your care team if you have high blood sugar. “Artificially providing GLP-1 levels several times higher than normal over a long period may cause you to produce less of your own natural GLP-1, and may also make you less sensitive to its effects,” he said in a statement shared with CNN by the Science Media Centre. “This isn’t a failing of the medicines — it reflects the nature of obesity as a chronic, relapsing condition,” said study lead author Sam West, a postdoctoral researcher at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, in the statement. They also slow the movement of food through the digestive tract, which helps people feel full more quickly and for longer, and they work in the brain to reduce appetite. GLP-1, which stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, is a hormone naturally made by the body that helps signal to the brain and the gut that it’s full and doesn’t need to eat any more. Levy calls the notion of people buying unapproved weight-loss drugs “scary.” Unlike older weight-loss medications, which are taken as pills, GLP-1 drugs are self-administered via daily or weekly subcutaneous (under the skin) injections using a pre-filled pen. Anti-obesity, or weight loss drugs can help. Find an obesity medicine specialist near you who can assist in finding the best weight loss medications for you. These weight loss drugs provide effective supplements to conventional treatments for people who are overweight. Given the large number of people who might benefit from these medications for weight loss, they could have a meaningful and long-term impact on the costs of health benefits. In one landmark study, people with obesity who used semaglutide in combination with lifestyle interventions lost about 15% percent of their body weight in 68 weeks. Taking anti-obesity medications or other GLP-1s, like Ozempic, may change your body’s reaction to food intake and weight loss.” Wegovy, which is a higher dose of semaglutide, became the most effective anti-obesity medication around, producing 15% weight loss in a one-year randomized controlled trial. Switching between GLP-1 medicines 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. A balanced, whole-food diet that prioritizes lean proteins, healthy fats, vegetables and fiber-rich carbohydrates (such as fruit, legumes and whole grains) is usually the best sustained approach for weight loss. The first step in any weight loss journey is usually a change in daily habits, including food choices, exercise, sleep patterns and stress management. This will explore innovative ways to best utilise promising medicines and digital technologies to help NHS patients achieve a healthy weight. Dr. Dbouk says there is still much to learn about these medications for weight loss. Prescription weight loss medications can also be expensive. One issue with prescription weight loss drugs is that if you stop taking them, you may regain the weight you lost. The mean duration of semaglutide 2.4 mg administration was 34.2 ± 13.7 months; the mean duration of follow-up was 39.8 ± 9.4 months.For Semaglutide, SUSTAIN trials in patients with diabetes mellitus showed that efficacy is preserved regardless of age.155 The COR program included only 2% of participants from the elderly population,156 and the XENDOS included none.Its effect on weight loss is thought to be mediated through central (brain) receptors (128) that improve appetite control (129).After reaching her desired weight, Spelling stopped using Ozempic in early 2024.Launched in August 2025, Wegovy is the first GLP-1 receptor agonist approved specifically for weight-loss management in the country.When you volunteer to take part in a clinical study, you help doctors and researchers learn more about disease and improve health care for people in the future. If the drugs are working and you aren’t experiencing side effects, your provider may recommend that you keep using them for the treatment of obesity. None of the drugs detailed in this article have been FDA-approved for weight loss. Victoza (liraglutide) patients lost around 2% to 6% of their body weight after a year. Visit the Yale Obesity Research Center (Y-Weight) to learn more about Yale School of Medicine’s ongoing research on anti-obesity drugs and how they can help people with obesity. The doctors hope that knowing medications can treat the pathophysiology of obesity will change common misconceptions that people should be able to control the condition on their own. 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. Meanwhile, doctors say patients will need to take the medications for years—and probably for life—to avoid having the weight come back. Since it was a double-blind trial, in which some participants were given a placebo, at first she didn’t know if she was taking the drug, but she says over a period of about a year, “the weight melted off of me.” Near the end of the trial, she had lost 85 pounds, so she believes she was taking the drug. Table 1 lists many of the agents that are either currently or have until very recently been in the anti-obesity drug development pipeline (Cooke and Bloom, 2006; Wilding, 2007; Heal et al., 2009; Sargent and Moore, 2009; Vickers et al., 2011). These drug combinations have been shown to produce at least additive anorectic effects and, in the case of rimonabant plus the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone, a significant attenuation of rimonabant-induced pruritus (Tallett et al., 2008). Despite the withdrawal of rimonabant and the demise of several CB1-receptor-antagonist development programmes, there are reasons to believe that we have not yet reached the end of the line for anti-obesity treatments targeting the CB1 receptor (for reviews, see Kunos et al., 2008; Bermudez-Silva et al., 2010). Weight loss is relatively modest circa 3 kg at 12 months (Li et al., 2005), but of sufficient magnitude to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk, as reflected by a lowering of low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, blood pressure and glycaemia (Broom et al., 2002; Torgerson et al., 2004). 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. By the end of the study, participants in the liraglutide 3.0 group lost an additional 6.2% compared to 0.2% with placebo (74). 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). Phentermine suppresses appetite by increasing the secretion of epinephrine in the hypothalamus and has been approved for short-term use in obesity treatment. This drug was developed to reduce the incidence of side effects and increase drug efficacy; in combination, these two drugs exert synergistic effects and are used at lower doses than when used independently. In clinical trials, mild depressive mood and anxiety, which do not require special treatment, were less common in the naltrexone ER/bupropion ER treatment group, which could be attributed to the effects of bupropion. Berberine may also lower glucose levels in people with diabetes. Studies show that taking a berberine supplement combined with standard heart disease treatments eases these symptoms, lowering the chance of death without apparent side effects. It also kills harmful gut bacteria and encourages the growth of healthy bacteria, which may help treat conditions like diabetes and high cholesterol. As a result, more employers are looking to utilization management strategies such as nutrition counseling and coaching services. Because gastric band surgery is less effective than other types of weight-loss surgery, it is not often performed. LABS found that weight-loss surgery is relatively safe when performed by experienced surgeons.