This progression can help to alleviate side effects, which include gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, dizziness, and fatigue. Wegovy is a brand name for semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It can be easy to overlook first-generation AOMs, but these may be appropriate for some patients, especially when cost is a factor. All of the medications discussed here are contraindicated for pregnancy. The medication’s cost and side effects will also affect the decision. Some patients may lose about 5% of their body weight by taking phentermine. Additionally, this area is rapidly evolving so it is recommended to check the TGA for the latest updates on medications approved for weight management. Equitable access to obesity medications is lacking, as none are currently subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for weight management. 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). Thus, glucagon action can reduce body weight both by increasing energy expenditure and reducing food intake (Sandoval and D’Alessio, 2015). When co-administrated with other therapies, the weight loss effect of cagrilintide is more prominent. A phase 2 trial reported that cagrilintide 0.3 mg to 4.5 mg significantly reduced body weight by 6.0% to 10.8% at 26 weeks and was well tolerated. It was originally used as a short-term medication to jump-start weight loss, but now newer medical guidelines have added it to long-term therapy. Some patients may lose 5–10% of body weight, especially with the higher dose of liraglutide. Determining whether someone is a candidate for weight loss medications begins with BMI. With a growing selection of weight loss medications available, patients may ask what the strongest or most effective weight loss prescription medication is, and which one is best for them. Before 2012, there were few weight loss medications approved by the FDA. In some cases, your health care professional may refer you to a health care specialist or a health care team trained in weight management. Losing excess weight may help lower your chances of developing health problems related to overweight and obesity. If you need to lose weight, work with a health care professional to set a weight-loss goal and time frame that will work best for you. Medications Insurance coverage varies and will affect many patients’ choices about going on weight loss medications. Some weight management medications are designed for short-term use and others for long-term use. All weight loss medications work best in the context of a healthy eating plan and exercise. With fervent consumer demand for weight loss medications, combined with rising obesity rates, more medications are bound for the market in the coming years. Setmelanotide is a melanocortin-4 receptor agonist indicated for chronic weight management in adult and pediatric patients six years and older, with obesity due to certain rare genetic disorders. This blog was medically reviewed by registered dietitian Marie Barone.Orlistat (trade name Xenical) is approved for adult and adolescent obesity (ages 12 to 16) (48).The program recommends getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day and even more exercise for further health benefits and weight loss.Self-help and diet books may not lead to significant or sustained weight loss.During this initial consultation, the doctor will discuss your ideal weight and work with you to create a plan that will help you to meet your goals, while also working with your lifestyle.Short-term goals might include drinking water instead of sugary beverages, taking a 15-minute evening walk, or having a vegetable with supper.More insulin in your body means you will have lower blood sugar. But not everyone loses weight while taking them. There are several different medicines used for weight loss. Weight-loss drugs aren't an easy answer to weight loss. Phentermine-topiramate is a combination of a weight-loss drug called phentermine and an anticonvulsant called topiramate. Six weight-loss drugs have been approved by the U.S. Content produced by NIDDK is carefully reviewed by NIDDK scientists and other experts. Progress in pharmacotherapy for obesity. Www.fda.gov/drugs/new-drugs-fda-cders-new-molecular-entities-and-new-therapeutic-biological-products/new-drug-therapy-approvals-2022 Insurance coverage for medical weight loss varies by plan and patient medical needs. Our team of medical weight loss professionals will work with you to establish realistic goals and how to achieve them, and help you adjust your plan as needed. UPMC’s weight loss experts will work with you to create an effective plan for healthy, non-surgical weight loss. They’ll help you to recognize unhealthy eating habits, emotional eating, and other personal barriers to weight loss. We help you on your journey to long-lasting weight loss by making major lifestyle changes through nutrition, exercise, and counseling. After that, you transition into the second phase, where you continue to lose 1 to 2 pounds (0.5 to 1 kilograms) a week until you reach your goal weight. Instead, you'll eat tasty foods that will satisfy you and help you lose weight. The Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid is a tool to help you lose weight or maintain your weight. This program can be tailored to your own individual needs, health history and preferred eating style. One example is a very low-calorie diet that you do under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Faster weight loss can be safe if it's done right. It's tempting to buy into promises of fast and amazing weight loss. Taking these drugs for a year can mean a loss of total body weight of 3% to 12% more than that lost with lifestyle changes alone. The combination of weight-loss medicine and lifestyle changes leads to greater weight loss than do lifestyle changes alone. Your health care provider may suggest a weight-loss drug for you in some cases. The program recommends getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day and even more exercise for further health benefits and weight loss. Remember to check with your health care provider before starting any weight-loss program, especially if you have any health conditions. The Mayo Clinic Diet is a long-term weight management program created by a team of weight-loss experts at Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic Diet is a lifestyle approach to weight loss that can help you maintain a healthy weight for a lifetime. Successful weight-loss programs help you set specific goals for adopting healthy lifestyle habits and tracking your progress.2 Meal replacements can help accelerate weight loss, reduce the stress of meal preparation, and help you control portions. You’ll learn to understand your individual nutritional needs and sort through the choices, so you can make healthy eating part of your lifestyle. Finding the balance that’s right for you is key to achieving your weight loss goal. The balloon helps make portion control easier and weight loss more manageable when combined with a proper diet and exercise. Step 1: Understand your "why" But it causes a range of digestive side effects, including stomach pain and oily stools. Side effects include nausea, constipation, headaches, vomiting, dizziness and insomnia. There’s also research showing that this medication can help you keep the weight off. None are approved for use in someone who is pregnant. Older AOMs also have indications based on BMI and may be contraindicated for use with certain other medications. Weight-positive medications in the tricyclic antidepressant category include amitriptyline, doxepin, and imipramine. This relationship can allow for dosage adjustments or alternative medications if one seems like a better fit for the patient. The federal government will pay $245, a price that also will be available to state Medicaid programs. It also allows the government’s Medicare Plan Finder to include the information as potential enrollees shop for standalone Part D prescription plans and Medicare Advantage coverage. “Today’s announcement builds upon our … goal of democratizing access to weight-loss medication, which has been out of reach for so many in need,” says Dr. Mehmet Oz, CMS administrator. And because the program is a test, coverage will end in December 2031 unless the program is extended. While the mean weight loss seen with bupropion is small, it is a preferred alternative to most antidepressants, which commonly cause weight gain. Bupropion (trade name Wellbutrin or Zyban) is used for depression and smoking cessation and can cause weight loss as a side effect. It is recommended that Gelesis100 be considered “food” when counseling patients on administration of other medications that require ingestion “on an empty stomach” vs. “with food.” Among participants with obesity and T2D in SURMOUNT-2, A1c was reduced by about 2% with tirzepatide 10 or 15 mg vs 0.5% with placebo. Ask your health care professional about lifestyle treatment programs for weight management that will work for you. Weight management medications are meant to help people who have health problems related to overweight or obesity. 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. Excess skin following substantial weight loss can contribute to body dissatisfaction and physical discomfort.57 Long-term follow up is important to monitor and manage potential side effects such as nutrient deficiencies58 and bone density changes for osteoporosis risk.59 Although many people experience improvements in quality of life after bariatric surgery, some people experience the persistence or reappearance of psychological problems such as depression, excess alcohol consumption and other self-harming behaviours.606162 Overweight and obesity have complex biological, psychosocial and environmental determinants, and are not simply the result of an unhealthy lifestyle.12 Lifestyle intervention, including changes in eating habits and physical activity, is the foundation of obesity management. We’ll work with you to improve your health by working toward a healthy body weight. While Ozempic isn’t approved for weight loss, the active ingredient (semgaglutide) is the same as the one in Wegovy, which is mentioned above. A study found that one-third of people had a 10% or more weight loss after a year. Setmelanotide is a weight loss injection for obesity caused by specific genetic mutations. GLP-1 agonists are weight loss medications that cause your stomach to empty more slowly, so you feel full longer. So some healthcare professionals might order it for longer use. Phentermine is approved for use for up to 12 weeks. The combined drug is approved for long-term use. It can help weight loss by making you less hungry. Think about your lifestyle and weight-loss goals. Together, you can go over your health issues and the medicines you take that might affect your weight. Here are some suggestions for choosing a weight-loss program. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, we will only use your protected health information as outlined in our Notice of Privacy Practices. Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. And it may help you burn calories while your body is at rest. You take it as a weekly shot to manage obesity. Semaglutide also is used to help control type 2 diabetes. Stay away from weight-loss programs that make these types of promises If you’re thinking about joining a virtual weight-loss program, make sure it includes Digital weight-loss programs, also called virtual weight-loss programs, are still being researched. Most weight-loss programs use the internet, smartphones, or other digital devices in some way. Look for a program that will give ongoing support, such as counseling sessions, for keeping the weight off. You could lift weights, use exercise bands or do pushups. You set action goals so that you can make healthy changes. You can list a healthy outcome that you aim to have. “With obesity, every insurance and every employer follow their own plan,” she says. When deciding what medication to prescribe, Shauna Levy, M.D., medical director of the Tulane Bariatric and Weight Loss Center in New Orleans, says insurance is her number one limiting factor. Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy have the same underlying product, but they come in slightly different dosages and are approved for different reasons. The FDA approved the first GLP-1 drug in 2005. Experts recommend an initial weight-loss goal of 5% to 10% of your starting weight within 6 months.2 For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, your goal may be to lose about 10 pounds in the first 6 months. Check for these features in any weight-loss program you are thinking about trying. Ask your health care professional whether you should consider these options. Health care professionals most often recommend lifestyle changes along with medicines or surgery. Overweight and obesity may also be treated with weight-loss medicines and weight-loss surgery, also called metabolic and bariatric surgery. It focuses on changing your daily routine by adding and breaking habits that can affect your weight. If not, you may want to consider a different program. Find out if there is evidence that the program works. Weight-loss program staff should be able to answer questions about a program’s features, safety, costs, and results. 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). If an individual does not lose 5 percent of body weight after 12 weeks on the highest dose, phentermine-topiramate should be discontinued due to lack of response. 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). A 6-month double-blinded placebo-controlled RCT followed by an open-label 6-month extension in 69 adults with obesity demonstrated diethylpropion 50 mg twice a day resulted in average weight loss of 9.8% at 6 months vs. 3.2% with placebo (42). A weight reduction of at least 10% by week 36 occurred in 46% to 75% of the participants who received orforglipron. The most frequently reported adverse events were gastrointestinal-related symptoms similar to those reported after the administration of subcutaneous semaglutide (Knop et al., 2023). However, acute cholecystitis was reported more frequently in the tirzepatide groups than in the placebo group (Jastreboff et al., 2022). In addition, tirzepatide resulted in significantly lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels and improved lipid profiles compared to placebo (Qin et al., 2024). The ratio of total fat mass to total lean mass decreased significantly more from baseline with tirzepatide than with placebo (Jastreboff et al., 2022). FDA approves treatment for chronic weight management in pediatric patients aged 12 years and older. Www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-approves-weight-management-drug-patients-aged-12-and-older You can view a filtered list of clinical studies on prescription medications to treat overweight and obesity that are federally funded, open, and recruiting at ClinicalTrials.gov. Researchers are studying many aspects of prescription medications to treat overweight or obesity, such a Sometimes health care professionals use medications in a way that’s different from what the FDA has approved. Similar to most chronic diseases, a combination of treatments may be required to achieve a patient’s treatment goals.256 For example, the use of pharmacological therapy following bariatric surgery, or the use of medication to achieve weight loss goals before bariatric surgery.25 Numerous studies have reported low mortality rates, such as 0.1% in an Australian national registry of patients,45 and 0.03% to 0.2% in US studies.55 Defined adverse events (unplanned readmission, intensive care admission and re‐operation; death) at 90-days post-surgery are reported in 3.6% of procedures in Australia.45 Reduced gastric capacity may result in gastrointestinal side effects such as vomiting, reflux, and pain upon eating.56 Dumping syndrome, while rare and more common after bypass procedures, can be particularly problematic with symptoms including abdominal cramps, diarrhoea and hypoglycaemia. Bariatric surgery also results in marked improvements in most weight-related health conditions, particularly type 2 diabetes (T2D). One of the newer procedures is the endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty in which stitches are placed inside the stomach to reduce its capacity.232 A randomised controlled trial found significantly greater weight loss achieved from endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty than lifestyle modification.33 The endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is similarly minimally invasive, however achieves greater and longer lasting weight loss than the intragastric balloon with mean total weight loss at 12 months of 17.51% and 10.35% respectfully.32 Tirzepatide (brand name Mounjaro®) is also administered by subcutaneous injection once a week and is a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and GLP-1 receptor agonist.14 Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) is approved in Australia for obesity management. Some magazines, books and websites promise that you can lose all the weight you want for good. You've likely seen lots of advice about weight loss. Don't fall for gimmicks when it comes to weight loss. These programs provide a comprehensive approach that focuses not just on weight but also on improving your physical and emotional well-being. – People who have unsuccessfully attempted to lose weight through conventional methods. Other medications may make it harder for your body to absorb fat from the foods you eat. People who have a BMI between 25 and 30 are considered to be overweight. If you experience these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider right away. “With all four legs on the ground, you have a pretty stable base to lose weight,” Primack says. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. He has also covered Medicare for Bloomberg Law and as a national correspondent for Knight Ridder/McClatchy Newspapers.Kimberly Lankford is a contributing writer who covers Medicare and personal finance. About the authorsTony Pugh is an award-winning writer and editor covering Medicare for AARP. This story, originally published Sept. 13, 2023, was updated to reflect the FDA’s recent approval of a pill form of Wegovy and CMS’s two-step plan to lower prices for Medicare Part D enrollees. You must itemize your deductions, and qualified medical expenses are deductible only if they’re more than 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income. Tax-deductible medical expense. Orlistat is a weight loss pill that makes it so your body can’t digest fat as efficiently. How do you know if a weight loss medication is FDA approved? It’s also important to note that if weight loss medications work for you, you’ll likely need to keep taking them if you want to keep the weight off. Novo Nordisk offers access to a health coach for diet and exercise to help people taking Wegovy. Drug manufacturers often have programs to help with drug costs and copayments for people without insurance. Its approval for sleep apnea and obesity allowed Medicare Part D plans to cover it for those reasons. “You can get your doctor to write you a prescription for off-label use as a weight loss drug. Employers may stipulate that employees participate in a lifestyle modification program. Body fat reduction in SURMOUNT 1 was 33.9% with tirzepatide administration, compared with 8.2% with placebo administration. Several phase 3 programs have investigated tirzepatide; these are titled the SURMOUNT development programs (Table 3). 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. The most common adverse events experienced with semaglutide were gastrointestinal events; similar to other GLP-1 RAs, these were transient and mild or moderate in severity. Weight loss medications can help your body to burn extra energy; however, there are some potential negative side effects that can be caused by these medications. The doctor uses their knowledge and medical experience to help the individual attempting to lose weight to create a realistic plan that meets their unique circumstances. Being overweight can reduce one’s quality of life, and one study found that obesity can also shorten one’s lifespan by as much as fourteen years. Having a higher weight can increase the risk of a variety of health problems, leading to an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and depression. Non-surgical medical weight loss services vary throughout UPMC locations. Most often, health care professionals treat overweight and obesity by helping you adopt lifestyle changes that may help you lose excess weight safely and keep it off over the long term. If these lifestyle changes are not enough to help you lose weight or maintain your weight loss, your health care professional may prescribe medications as part of your weight-control program. Six medications are approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for the treatment of obesity in Australia (Table 1) – phentermine, orlistat, liraglutide, semaglutide, tirzepatide, and naltrexone-bupropion.8 With the exception of orlistat, which reduces absorption of ingested calories, the medications used to treat obesity primarily act via effects on appetite (reducing hunger and/or increasing satiation).10 7 weight loss tips to shed pounds and keep them off for good Even without losing weight, you can be healthier by being physically active and eating healthy foods. Regardless of your weight, exercise has many other health benefits. It's nearly impossible to maintain weight loss without it. Most importantly, always discuss over-the-counter drugs or supplements with your health care provider. Experts are concerned that, in some cases, the side effects of prescription medications that treat overweight and obesity may outweigh the benefits. Studies show that weight management medications work best when combined with a lifestyle program. Your health care professional may prescribe a medication to treat your overweight or obesity if you are an adult with Of these medicines, liraglutide (as Saxenda), semaglutide (as Wegovy), and tirzepatide (as Zepbound) are approved by the FDA to treat weight-loss in people without diabetes. This page summarises the evidence for the use of medications, gastrointestinal devices and bariatric surgery to treat adults with overweight and obesity. Treatment guidelines recommend consideration of additional therapies such as pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery when lifestyle intervention has not resulted in sufficient weight loss to improve health or quality of life. Recent studies show that newer Western pharmaceuticals and some traditional Chinese medications may be effective for appropriate patients in need of weight loss. It can be hard to know which of the hundreds of diets and retail weight loss plans to try. Have you beaten yourself up trying to diet your way to sustainable weight loss? For example, people with diabetes should aim for more vegetables than fruits, if possible. Coworkers or neighbors with similar goals might share healthy recipes and plan group physical activities. These activities will be easier to stick with over the long term. Short-term goals might include drinking water instead of sugary beverages, taking a 15-minute evening walk, or having a vegetable with supper. Long-term conditions, particularly in later stages of disease Outside of Medicare, typical requirements include a BMI of 30 or higher or 27 or higher when combined with another health condition. GLP-1 is a class of medications created to treat type 2 diabetes by helping the pancreas release the right amount of insulin when blood sugar levels are high. Drugs prescribed for weight gain, cosmetic purposes, fertility, hair growth and treatment of sexual or erectile dysfunction also aren’t allowed to be covered. In drug trials sponsored by manufacturer Novo Nordisk, the Wegovy pill resulted in an average weight loss of more than 16 percent for those who took it as directed. If the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a different GLP-1 called orforglipron that’s now being studied to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, it also will be about $350 a month. Topiramate (trade name Topamax) is an antiepileptic agent that has been found to reduce body weight in patients with a variety of disorders including epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and binge eating disorder (153). The fourth SGLT2 inhibitor, ertugliflozin, also resulted in about 2kg weight loss over placebo in adults with T2D treated for 26 weeks (136). In the landmark EMPA-REG CVOT, average placebo-subtracted weight loss of about 2 kg was maintained out to 220 weeks with empagliflozin 25 mg (135). In another study with one year follow-up, placebo-corrected weight loss in those taking 120 μg three time daily and 360 ug twice daily averaged 5.6% and 6.8% (132). Treatment with pramlintide (up to 240 ug three time daily) for 16 weeks resulted in a placebo-corrected reduction in body weight of 3.7% (P131). Note that Suprenza contains tartrazine, an ingredient to which some people may have an allergic reaction. Side effects include headache, overstimulation, high blood pressure, insomnia, rapid or irregular heart rate, and tremor. In the U.S., phentermine is available as a 15 mg or 30 mg capsule, or an 18.75 mg or 37.5 mg tablet. It is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2. A number of these programs are advertised on social media, the internet, magazines, and other media. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. Does Medicare Cover Weight-Loss Surgery? She wrote about insurance, Medicare, retirement and taxes for more than 20 years at Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and has written for The Washington Post and Boston Globe. Successful weight-loss programs promote healthy behaviors that may help you lose weight safely and keep the weight off. If you already have a weight-loss program in mind, ask your health care professional if the program may be a good fit for you. Your health care professional may work with you to develop a weight-loss program tailored to your needs and preferences. For many adults, treating overweight and obesity starts with lifestyle changes. If you are obese, you might be at a higher risk of medical problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, and some cancers. The Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (LABS) study looked at the effects of two types of weight-loss surgery in adults, gastric bypass and adjustable gastric band. Find information to choose weight-loss strategies that are healthy, effective, and safe for you. Strategies for successFind resources to help you lose or gain weight safely and effectively. Body imageCreating a positive body image through healthy eating habits. Here are some tips on how to choose a weight-loss program that may help you lose weight safely. You typically need to have a certain BMI and participate in a weight loss coaching program. About 50 percent of employer plans that work with Aon, a benefits consulting firm, cover weight loss medications; many continue coverage under their retiree plans. You must have a BMI of 27 or higher to schedule an appointment with one of our medical weight loss specialists. Some insurance plans cover weight loss medications, while others don’t. Then you will meet with a weight loss specialist to review your medical history. This collaboration is the best way to lose weight and improve your health. However, you should work with an obesity medicine specialist to manage your dosage, monitor for side effects, and give medical guidance. – An exercise program adjusted to the patient’s fitness level and preferences. – A diet tailored to the patient’s specific needs, focusing on healthy and balanced foods. Food and Drug Administration, researchers don’t know the long-term risks and benefits. However, weight loss of ≥ 10% in this subgroup was achieved by 44% vs. 14% of those on Gelesis100 vs. placebo, respectively. Gelesis100 was not significantly more effective in individuals with prediabetes or drug-naïve T2D with respect to mean percent change in body weight, which had been a notable observation in the pilot study First Loss of Weight (FLOW) (112). Similarly, in participants receiving PAP therapy at baseline, those on tirzepatide had a reduction in AHI by -29.3 event/hr vs. -5.5 events/hr in placebo and placebo subtracted weight loss of 17.3%. In participants not receiving PAP therapy, those on tirzepatide had a reduction in AHI by -25.3 events/hr vs, -5.3 events/hr in placebo and a placebo subtracted weight loss of -16.1%. Non-Surgical Medical Weight Loss Services In a secondary analysis of these trials, treatment with liraglutide 3.0 resulted in dose-independent, reversible increases in amylase/lipase activity (7% for amylase and 31% for lipase) (79). Liraglutide 1.8 mg is now FDA-approved for secondary CV prevention in adults with T2D (78). After a median of 3.8 years, individuals on liraglutide 1.8 mg demonstrated a 13% risk reduction in 3-point MACE compared to placebo. Maybe you want to boost your health or get in shape for a vacation. What will give you the burning desire to stick to your weight-loss plan? So be sure that you're ready to eat healthy foods and become more active. The Semaglutide Effects on Cardiovascular Outcomes in People with Overweight or Obesity (SELECT) trial (Lincoff et al., 2023) was a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.Some medications also help you feel fuller sooner.If the weight isn’t coming off or you have bothersome side effects, your doctor may recommend a different option.Ozempic may be a more familiar name to some patients.The total mean weight change from week 0 to 88 was -25.3% vs -9.9% in tirzepatide vs placebo arms.If you have physical limitations that are getting in the way of exercise, a physical therapist will help you ease into an exercise program.Most side effects are mild and most often improve if you continue to take the medication. In a phase 2 trial in people with obesity, treatment with a 12 mg dose of retatrutide resulted in a mean weight reduction of 24.2% after 48 weeks as compared with −2.1% in the placebo group. 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. The STEP 6 (Kadowaki et al., 2022) and STEP 7 trials (Mu et al., 2024) were conducted in Asian populations and included people with T2DM; they demonstrated a mean weight loss of 13.2% and 12.1% in semaglutide and 2.1% and 3.6% in placebo, respectively. A 3-year follow-up study of the SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes study showed that more individuals from the liraglutide group than from the placebo group sustained their weight loss long term (le Roux et al., 2017). If patients with a BMI ≥30 kg/m2 (or ≥25 kg/m2 for certain ethnicities, including Koreans) fail to lose weight through diet, physical activity, and behavior counseling, the use of anti-obesity medications can be considered (Garvey et al., 2016; Kim et al., 2023). A medical device rather than a medication, Plenity was FDA-cleared in 2019 for people with a BMI of 25 to 40. It is being studied for use in patients with acquired hypothalamic obesity. If more than 5% weight loss is not achieved after 12 weeks of the maximum dose, the weight loss pill should be gradually discontinued. Adults with migraines and obesity are good candidates for this weight-loss medication. Each of the food groups in the pyramid emphasizes health-promoting choices. The program doesn't require you to be precise about counting calories. The Mayo Clinic Diet makes healthy eating easy by teaching you how to estimate portion sizes and plan meals. The triangular shape shows you where to focus when selecting healthy foods. 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. The most commonly reported side effects compared to placebo were gastrointestinal (nausea/vomiting), nervous system (headaches), and cognitive (anxiety, impaired memory, language problems) (156). Randomized controlled trials have shown that topiramate is both tolerable and effective in promoting weight loss (61). If you have diabetes or any other health conditions or concerns, work with your doctor to adjust the Mayo Clinic Diet for your situation. For most people, eating lots of fruits and vegetables is a good thing — these foods provide your body with important nutrients and fiber. The Mayo Clinic Diet is meant to be positive, practical, sustainable and enjoyable, so you can enjoy a happier, healthier life over the long term. If you already have any of these conditions, they may be improved dramatically if you lose weight, regardless of the diet plan you follow. The goal of the Mayo Clinic Diet is to help you keep weight off permanently by making smarter food choices, learning how to manage setbacks and changing your lifestyle. Adults with T2D and baseline average BMI 32.5 kg/m2 were randomized to liraglutide 1.8 mg vs. placebo. Although liraglutide 3.0 mg was not evaluated in a cardiovascular outcomes trial (CVOT), the lower dose liraglutide 1.8 mg (Victoza), approved for T2D, was assessed in the LEADER trial (77). In the SCALE Diabetes study, HbA1c levels were 0.93% lower in the liraglutide 3.0 vs. placebo treated group, and similar significant benefits on triglyceride (lower) and HDL cholesterol (higher) as in the SCALE Obesity study were reported (73). 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). Anything from your genetics to your environment and stress levels can affect your weight. Obesity medicine specialists at University of Utah Health understand the complex causes of weight gain. Your provider will help explain what treatment is best for you. What is the strongest weight loss prescription medication? In addition, it's likely the weight will be regained when the medicines are stopped.Topiramate can be combined with phentermine to decrease appetite and cravings.If you answered yes to these questions, a prescription weight-loss drug may be a choice for you.Our obesity medicine experts create personalized weight management plans for each patient.Progress in pharmacotherapy for obesity.You can calculate your BMI to learn if you are overweight, have obesity, or have severe obesity, which may increase your risk of health problems.– Patients with weight-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnea.By continuing the lifelong habits that you've learned, you can then maintain your goal weight for the rest of your life. Orlistat was approved for long-term weight management by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1999 and the Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in 2000 (Jeon et al., 2023). Currently available long-term anti-obesity medications for adults include orlistat, naltrexone/bupropion (NAL/BUP) extended release (ER), liraglutide, phentermine/topiramate ER, semaglutide, and tirzepatide (Table 1). Find an obesity medicine specialist near you who can assist in finding the best weight loss medications for you. But it can be hard to find a weight-loss plan that works for you. You’ll also receive counseling to help you change your behavior and lifestyle. After being medically evaluated, you’ll work with a registered dietitian/nutritionist to create and follow an effective diet plan. Not only is it easier to implement a personalized plan, but it is also much easier to stay on the plan than it is to adhere to a one-size-fits-all diet or weight loss program. Having a trained physician create a weight loss plan and monitor your progress provides a unique, individualized weight loss program that is specific to your needs. Your doctor will monitor you carefully if you are using these medications to ensure you are healthy while taking them. There were four reported cases of adjudication-confirmed pancreatitis, which were evenly distributed across treatment groups, including the placebo group. In the semaglutide group, the primary cardiovascular endpoint incidence was 20% lower than in the placebo group, which was a statistically significant effect (Lincoff et al., 2023). The Semaglutide Effects on Cardiovascular Outcomes in People with Overweight or Obesity (SELECT) trial (Lincoff et al., 2023) was a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. The significant weight reduction and improved metabolic parameters observed with semaglutide administration would be expected to result in the reduction of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. The Satiety and Clinical Adiposity-Liraglutide (SCALE) Obesity and Prediabetes study was a key trial in determining liraglutide efficacy. These medications also can help with weight loss because they make you feel fuller faster. Novo Nordisk calls it part of a pilot program to add obesity to the list of covered medical conditions and expects that most Part D beneficiaries would be covered. Yes, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 prohibits Part D plans from covering anti-obesity medications as part of the standard prescription drug benefit. The FDA approved the first GLP-1 pill for weight loss earlier this week, and the oral form of Wegovy is expected in pharmacies in early January 2026. Phentermine also is offered combined with topiramate for weight loss (Qsymia). All weight loss medications work best in the context of a healthy eating plan and exercise.The amount of weight a person loses depends on the medication they take, their overall health, and other individual factors.Before you dive into a weight-loss plan, take time to learn as much about it as you can.This medication is also contraindicated in patients with hyperthyroidism, glaucoma, and in patients who have taken monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors within 14 days.In November 2023, tirzepatide became the first GLP-1/GIP dual RA approved by the FDA for chronic weight management.“We now have a generation of very effective weight loss drugs,” says Craig Primack, MD, an obesity medicine physician with Scottsdale Weight Loss Center in Scottsdale, Arizona.To lose weight, you need to lower the total calories you take in from food and drinks.Improvements in fasting glucose and insulin levels were seen in the SEQUEL study, and a 54% and 76% reduction in progression to T2D in the two treatment groups was noted in subjects without diabetes at baseline (63).Remember to check with your health care provider before starting any weight-loss program, especially if you have any health conditions. To fight obesity, Medicare — and Medicaid — will cover GLP-1s at a reduced cost starting in mid-2026 Obesity increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and other conditions. The pill version of Wegovy that was just approved could cost $150 on the website. Mounjaro, which has the same active ingredient in the same doses as Zepbound, was not listed for reduced costs beyond Medicare beneficiaries. Administration officials expect that percentage to rise to 10 percent, about 7 million people, with the GLP-1 discounts. The decision to have weight loss surgery is an important and often difficult one. University of Utah Health experts help patients fix underlying issues contributing to obesity. Losing even a small amount of weight can have huge positive impact on your overall health. These lifestyle changes can help you reduce the calories you take in from food and beverages and increase the calories you use up by being active. 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. Eating well and being physically active contribute to healthy growth in childhood and good health throughout life. According to GoodRx, phentermine can be had for as little as $10. Keep in mind that obesity is a disease, and no drug can permanently “cure” it. A patient who stops these may regain some or all of the weight. For example, some are approved by the FDA for up to 12 weeks. Some medications are administered orally, and others are given as subcutaneous injections. Rossner et al. found that subjects receiving orlistat lost significantly more weight in the first year of treatment, and fewer regained weight during the second year of treatment, than those taking placebo (52).Abby McCoy is an experienced registered nurse who has worked with adults and pediatric patients encompassing trauma, orthopedics, home care, transplant, and case management.For example, some medications may help you feel less hungry or full sooner.Long-term weight loss requires a commitment to major lifestyle changes, such as eating healthy and being active.Search this database for obesity doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dietitians, and bariatric surgeons near you. Study the pros and cons of medicines to treat obesity. The FDA updated drug safety-related labeling for liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide on November 5th, 2024. Although they are generally well-tolerated, there is currently not enough data regarding potential long-term safety issues. Clinical Trials for Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight and Obesity Some people find them helpful, along with healthy eating and exercise. Still, we know it's important to lose those extra pounds, both for our physical and mental health. Healthy eating and exercise are the most recommended ways to lose weight. “Coverage and pricing changes will phase in during 2026 with cash prices for TrumpRx purchases as early as January,” says Michael Baker, director of health care policy at the American Action Forum. On Nov. 6, the White House announced that leading GLP-1 manufacturers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk will lower prices for the popular medications when they’re purchased through Medicare. 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. Tirzepatide (trade name Zepbound) is approved for the treatment of obesity (BMI ≥ 30) or overweight (BMI ≥ 27) with at least one weight-related comorbidity. In March 2024, semaglutide 2.4 mg received FDA-approval for the treatment of CVD in adults with preexisting CVD and obesity or overweight. Among the 803 patients who completed the run-in period with a mean weight loss of 10.6%, those continued on semaglutide from week 20 to 68 achieved further average weight loss of 7.9% versus an average weight gain of 6.8% in those randomized to placebo after the run-in period. Newsweek ranked UChicago Medicine as one of top 50 best hospitals in the world for gastroenterology care. The body mass index or BMI predates the bathroom scale by more than half a century, but it has not changed with the times. We can provide all the care you need, from surgeons and physician assistants to dietitians and even financial advocates. Our team will help you understand your insurance coverage and costs before starting treatment. 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). 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. This includes addressing underlying issues like hormonal imbalances, metabolic disorders, or unhealthy eating habits that may contribute to weight gain. Because weight-loss devices have only recently been approved by the U.S. Your doctor may recommend weight-loss surgery if you have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher. Weight-loss surgery, also called metabolic and bariatric surgery, includes several types of operations that help you lose weight by making changes to your digestive system. To keep off extra weight, you should make these healthy changes a way of life. One of the best ways to lose body fat is through steady aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking. Exercise helps you keep off the weight that you lose too. ABOM, is a board-certified family medicine and obesity medicine physician currently at Norman Regionals Primary Care South OKC clinic.In rare cases, people have had serious liver injury with orlistat.Long-term weight loss takes time and effort.That doesn’t mean you’ll be in a medical weight management program forever.Here are six tips to help you start your weight-loss journey.Some medications are administered orally, and others are given as subcutaneous injections.Some patients have taken these alternatives, which are generally more affordable, without ill effects. Prescription drugs are medicines that a health care provider prescribes for you. Have you tried diet and exercise but haven't been able to lose enough weight? Are you an adult who has serious health problems because of your weight? Body weight often plateaus before increasing again after treatment cessation (Christoffersen et al., 2022). Tirzepatide was previously approved to treat type 2 diabetes as Mounjaro, and it goes by that name only in some countries. Zepbound is approved to treat obesity in adults with a BMI of 30 or greater. A study from FAIR Health published in May 2025 reports that more than 2% of U.S. adults took a GLP-1 for weight loss in 2024. Next came a dual receptor agonist, Mounjaro, which is indicated for type 2 diabetes, and Zepbound, which is indicated for obesity. Additionally, international guidelines34, including a position statement from Diabetes Australia35, recommend consideration of bariatric surgery for individuals with type 2 diabetes and BMI ≥30 kg/m2. What results do people in your program typically achieve? While the mean weight loss seen with bupropion is small, it is a preferred alternative to most antidepressants, which commonly cause weight gain.There is a plethora of non-prescription weight loss supplements and herbal medicines available for sale in pharmacies and supermarkets in Australia, and sales suggest that they are widely consumed.In some cases, your health care professional may refer you to a health care specialist or a health care team trained in weight management.With so many weight loss programs and fad diets making extraordinary claims, it can be difficult to know what the best option is.Content produced by NIDDK is carefully reviewed by NIDDK scientists and other experts.The combination of weight-loss medicine and lifestyle changes leads to greater weight loss than do lifestyle changes alone.We suggest that for appropriate patients, in particular those with or at high risk for T2DM, the judicious use of these medications with lifestyle modification is justified. The table below includes limited information about weight-loss medications. These medications have side effects, some of which could be severe. Another approved drug, setmelanotide (IMCIVREE), is limited to people who have been diagnosed with one of four specific rare genetic disorders, which must be confirmed by genetic testing. Mayo Clinic Press Obesity medicine clinicians are specially trained to treat obesity and obesity-related conditions using evidence-based approaches. Search the Obesity Medicine Association’s member directory by city, state, or zip code for an obesity medicine clinician in your area. Searching for an obesity doctor near you? If you have medical questions or would like to make an appointment or find out about the referral process, please call UCDAVIS. We cannot diagnose conditions, provide second opinions or make specific treatment recommendations through this website. A single-arm, open-label, multicenter phase 3 trial of 21 participants aged 6 years and older evaluated the efficacy of setmelanotide for weight loss in patients with POMC deficiency (homozygous or compound heterozygous variants in POMC or PCSK1) or LEPR deficiency (83). Four hundred and twenty-two subjects who lost ≥ 5% of their initial body weight on a low-calorie diet were randomly assigned to liraglutide 3.0 mg daily or placebo for 56 weeks. A short-term study (5 weeks) involving individuals with obesity and without diabetes demonstrated that liraglutide 3.0 mg/d suppressed acute food intake, subjective hunger, and delayed gastric emptying (72). Bupropion/naltrexone can be combined with intensive behavioral therapy (IBT) to achieve even greater weight loss (5.2% with placebo and 9.3% with bupropion/naltrexone) (30). The primary endpoints were percent change from baseline body weight and the proportion of patients achieving at least a 5% reduction in body weight. Sticking with your new lifestyle habits is key to long-term success. Maintaining weight loss can be hard. Physical activity may also help you keep off any weight you lose. The weight-loss program should include a plan for getting regular physical activity.