FDA-Approved Weight Loss Pills: Which is Right for You?

Key Takeaways

FDA-approved weight loss drugs include orlistat, phentermine-topiramate, naltrexone-bupropion, liraglutide, semaglutide, tirzepatide, and setmelanotide.
Prescription weight loss drugs work by increasing feelings of fullness and decreasing appetite, leading to reduced caloric intake and weight loss. Other weight loss medicines cause a decrease in the absorption of fats from food.
The right prescription weight loss drug for you will depend on your medical history, degree of obesity, and lifestyle factors.

Obesity is a chronic disease that affects over 42% of American adults and 18% of youth. When eating a healthy diet and regular exercise are not enough to help with weight management, your doctor may recommend prescription medications to help you lose weight.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved certain medications, including diets and exercise, as part of a chronic weight management regimen. Please continue reading to learn more about FDA-approved weight loss drugs.

Are there any FDA-approved weight loss pills?

Yes, there are weight loss medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These prescription weight loss drugs work in different ways to promote weight reduction.

Some increase feelings of fullness and decrease appetite, leading to reduced caloric intake and weight loss. Other weight loss medicines cause a decrease in body weight and body fat by decreasing the absorption of fats from food.

All weight loss medications must be used in addition to diet and exercise to achieve the most weight loss. During clinical trials, participants who receive treatment for weight loss also have to adhere to lifestyle modifications with diets and exercise. Therefore, weight reduction was the result of the drug and lifestyle modifications.

What weight loss drugs are FDA-approved?

The following FDA-approved weight management medications have been found to be effective in helping adults with obesity achieve statistically significant weight loss. Some of these weight loss medications are also approved to be used in children.

Not everyone is eligible to receive weight loss medication, and it may not be safe for everyone. You should always consult with your healthcare provider before using a weight loss medication.

Orlistat
Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia)
Naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave)
Liraglutide (Saxenda)
Semaglutide (Wegovy)
Tirzepatide (Zepbound)
Setmelanotide (Imcivree)

Learn more about how each one works to help with weight management below.

Orlistat

Brand names: Xenical (prescription strength of orlistat 120-milligram), Alli (lower dose available over-the-counter of orlistat 60-milligram)

Mechanism of action: Reduces the amount of fat absorbed by the intestine from food

Common side effects: Gas, stomach pain, diarrhea, fecal urgency, oily stools

Risks: Rare reports of severe liver injury

Precautions: Drug interactions with other medications. Take a multivitamin to prevent nutritional deficiencies.

Expected weight loss: A study conducted in 2011 found that orlistat resulted in an average weight loss of 10.3 pounds (lb), or 4.65 kilograms (kg) over 6 months.

Phentermine-Topiramate

Brand name: Qsymia. This is a combination of two medicines — phentermine, an appetite suppressant and central nervous system stimulant, and topiramate, an anticonvulsant.

Mechanism of action: Reduces appetite and makes you feel full sooner

Common side effects: Dizziness, dry mouth, taste changes, constipation, tingling sensations, difficulty sleeping (learn more about phentermine side effects.)

Risks: Birth defects if taken during pregnancy

Precautions: Do not take it if you have hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or glaucoma. Tell your doctor if you have heart disease, heart attack, stroke, heart rhythm abnormalities, kidney disease, or mood changes.

You should not start taking this medication if you have recently used monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAO inhibitor). Your doctor will let you know when it’s safe to start this medication to avoid unwanted adverse effects,

Expected weight loss: A review of 29 randomized clinical trials was conducted in 2016 to compare the efficacy of different weight loss drugs. According to this review, phentermine/topiramate resulted in roughly 19.4 lbs (8.8 kg) after a year.

Check out our blog to learn more about phentermine as a weight loss treatment.

Naltrexone-Bupropion

Brand name: Contrave. This is a combination of two medicines - naltrexone, which is used to treat opioid and alcohol dependence, and bupropion, which is used to treat depression and help in quitting smoking.

Mechanism of action: Reduces hunger and cravings

Common side effects: Dizziness, dry mouth, headache, constipation, diarrhea, insomnia, increased heart rate and blood pressure

Risks: Liver damage, suicidal ideation

Precautions: Do not take it if you have a medical history of a seizure disorder, eating disorder, or uncontrolled high blood pressure.

Effectiveness: A 2015 review conducted four randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials demonstrated significant weight loss with naltrexone/bupropion compared with placebo. The average weight loss across the four studies was approximately 11-22 lbs (5-9 kg) over 52 weeks of treatment with naltrexone/bupropion.

Liraglutide

Brand name: Saxenda

Mechanism of action: GLP-1 receptor agonist, which regulates appetite and food intake

Common side effects: Abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, increased heart rate, headache

Risks: Thyroid tumors, pancreatitis

Precautions: Do not take it if you have a personal or family history of thyroid cancer.

Effectiveness: A 2016 review conducted on five randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials evaluating liraglutide’s role in weight management found that liraglutide resulted in a 4 to 6 kg weight loss, with more participants achieving at least 5 and 10% weight loss compared to placebo.

Semaglutide

Brand name: Wegovy

Mechanism of action: GLP-1 receptor agonists work to reduce appetite by making you feel full longer

Common side effects: Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, headache, fatigue

Risks: Thyroid tumors, pancreatitis

Precautions: Do not take it if you have a personal or family history of thyroid cancer. Do not take it with other GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Expected weight loss: Clinical studies have shown an average 15% weight loss after 68 weeks.

Learn more about Wegovy uses and side effects.

Tirzepatide

Brand name: Zepbound

Mechanism of action: Dual GIP receptor and GLP-1 receptor agonist (slows gastric emptying, increases fullness, and reduces appetite and food intake)

Common side effects: Upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation

Risks: Thyroid tumors

Precautions: Do not take it if you have a history of digestive and kidney diseases or diabetic retinopathy.

Expected weight loss: 21% weight loss (48 lbs) after 72 weeks on the 15-mg dose

Setmelanotide

Brand name: Imcivree

Mechanism of action: Causes increased fullness, decreased appetite, and increased resting metabolic rate

Common side effects: Injection site reaction, skin darkening, nausea, sexual dysfunction, depression

Risks: Suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Precautions: Do not take it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Expected weight loss: 80% of people lost 10% of their body weight after a year. Note: This drug is only for people with specific rare genetic disorders that cause obesity.

What is the most effective pill for weight loss?

The results of weight loss medications can vary from person to person and medication to medication. Therefore, your doctor will recommend the best weight loss prescription medication based on your medical history, existing health conditions, and lifestyle factors.

Comparing Wegovy vs Phentermine for weight loss? Find out which is better.

Is Ozempic FDA-approved for weight loss?

Ozempic is the brand name for the generic drug semaglutide. Ozempic is not FDA-approved to treat obesity.

This medication is used, along with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet and exercise, to treat type 2 diabetes. Some doctors use Ozempic off-label for chronic weight management.

Note: Semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic) is also available under the brand name Wegovy, which is an FDA-approved prescription weight loss drug.

Wegovy for weight loss and Ozempic for diabetes are dosed differently, even though they contain the same active drug.

What is the new FDA-approved weight loss drug for 2024?

The newest FDA-approved weight loss drug in 2024 is tirzepatide (Zepbound). This new drug treatment was approved in November 2023 to treat overweight and obese adults.

Note: tirzepatide was already approved under the brand name Mounjaro for the treatment of type-2 diabetes mellitus.

Learn more about tirzepatide being approved for weight loss.

Am I eligible to take medications for chronic weight management?

Health care professionals may recommend a prescription weight loss medication to you if you have been unable to lose weight with diet and exercise and you have:

A body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or higher
A body mass index (BMI) of 27 kg/m2 or higher and at least one weight-related condition. Examples of weight-related medical problems include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

Make sure to give your healthcare provider a complete list of your prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and dietary supplements before starting any weight loss medication to avoid unwanted drug interactions.

Can children take prescription drugs for obesity?

There are four prescription drugs that are approved by the FDA for chronic weight management in obese and overweight pediatric patients 12 years of age and older. These include:

Orlistat (Xenical)
Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia)
Liraglutide (Saxenda)
Semaglutide (Wegovy)

Another prescription medication, setmelanotide (Imcivree), is approved for children 6 years of age and older with obesity caused by rare genetic disorders.

How much weight can you lose on weight loss medications?

Clinical studies have shown that taking prescription weight loss drugs can help adults with obesity lose approximately 10% or more of their starting body weight.

If you weigh 230 pounds at the start of treatment, taking prescription medications for weight loss could help you lose about 23 pounds.

Weight loss of 5-10% can lower your risk of serious health problems like high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol. Obesity treatment can also improve related conditions such as joint pain and sleep apnea.

Remember, the results of weight loss medications can vary from person to person and medication to medication. Also, keep in mind that weight loss drugs are not a substitute for a healthy eating plan and increased physical activity. They work best when combined with healthy lifestyle interventions.

All clinical trials conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of different weight loss medications ensured that all participants adhered to lifestyle modifications with diet and exercise in addition to medication interventions.

Do you regain weight after stopping weight loss drugs?

Clinical trials have found that weight gain is common after stopping weight loss medications. Eating a reduced-calorie diet and exercising regularly can help you keep the weight off.

Learn more about what happens when you stop taking Wegovy.

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