Weight loss pills -
How long you will need to take weight management medication depends on whether the drug helps you lose weight and keep it off and whether you experience serious side effects. If you have lost enough weight to improve your health and are not experiencing serious side effects, your health care professional may advise you to stay on the medication indefinitely.
Your health care professional may also. Because obesity is a chronic disease, you may need to continue your new eating and physical activity habits and other behaviors for years—or even a lifetime—to improve your health and maintain a healthier weight. You probably will regain some weight after you stop taking weight management medication.
Developing and maintaining healthy eating habits and increasing physical activity may help you regain less weight or keep it off. Federal physical activity guidelines PDF, You may need to do more than minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week to reach or maintain your weight-loss goal.
Some, but not all, insurance plans cover medications that treat overweight and obesity. Contact your insurance provider to find out if your plan covers these medications.
The table below lists prescription drugs approved by the FDA for weight loss. The FDA has approved five of these drugs—orlistat Xenical, Alli , phentermine-topiramate Qsymia , naltrexone-bupropion Contrave , liraglutide Saxenda , and semaglutide Wegovy —for long-term use. A sixth approved drug, setmelanotide IMCIVREE , is limited to people who have been diagnosed with one of three specific rare genetic disorders, which must be confirmed by genetic testing.
You can keep taking these medications as long as you are benefiting from treatment and not experiencing serious side effects. Some weight management medications that curb appetite are approved by the FDA for short-term use only, for up to 12 weeks. 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.
Never take weight management medications if you are pregnant. If you are planning to get pregnant, you should also avoid these medications, as some of them may harm the fetus.
By choosing an off-label medication to treat overweight and obesity, your health care professional may prescribe. You should feel comfortable asking whether your health care professional is prescribing a medication that is not approved for treating overweight and obesity.
Before using a medication, learn all you need to know about it. Researchers are currently studying several new medications and combinations of medications in animals and people.
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.
NIDDK conducts and supports clinical trials in many diseases and conditions, including overweight and obesity. The trials look to find new ways to prevent, detect, or treat disease and improve quality of life.
Clinical trials—and other types of clinical studies —are part of medical research and involve people like you. 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. Researchers are studying many aspects of prescription medications to treat overweight or obesity, such a.
Find out if clinical studies are right for you. Watch a video of NIDDK Director Dr. Griffin P. Rodgers explaining the importance of participating in clinical trials.
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 www.
You can expand or narrow the list to include clinical studies from industry, universities, and individuals; however, the National Institutes of Health does not review these studies and cannot ensure they are safe.
Always talk with your health care provider before you participate in a clinical study. This content is provided as a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases NIDDK , part of the National Institutes of Health.
NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public.
Content produced by NIDDK is carefully reviewed by NIDDK scientists and other experts. NIDDK would like to thank: Kishore Gadde, M.
English English Español. Weight Management Binge Eating Disorder Show child pages. Most people taking weight loss medications lose an average of one to two pounds per week. Of course, weight loss medications work best when you combine them with other healthy lifestyle changes like eating healthy foods and getting regular exercise.
Most patients start to lose weight within weeks. Weight loss medications work best when you combine them with lifestyle changes like choosing healthier foods, eating fewer calories, and exercising regularly. Depending on your health and weight loss goals, you may need to take weight loss medications for years.
Because obesity is a chronic disease, the FDA has approved these drugs for long-term use. These medications work by controlling blood sugar glucose levels inside the body, which in turn helps people feel less hungry and more full.
Another type of diabetes medication called SLT2-inhibitors help people lose weight. These include:. Our comprehensive weight management team is here to help you successfully lose weight and support you in your weight loss journey.
We can provide all the care you need, from surgeons and physician assistants to dietitians and even financial advocates. How much you weigh is controlled by complex interactions between hormones and neurons in your hypothalamus.
For most overweight people, their body tries to prevent permanent weight loss. This means your body is actually working against you to lose weight. Looking to lose some weight? You've probably heard that eating five small meals a day is the secret.
What does the research suggest? A registered dietitian clears up the confusion about how many meals you should eat. Weight loss surgery is not a quick fix—it is a lifelong commitment to improving your health. The success of this commitment depends largely on who you choose to go on Read More.
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These currently include :. Most work by reducing your food intake, decreasing fat absorption, or increasing fat-burning, resulting in significant weight loss over time. However, this can vary depending on several factors, including the specific medication that you take.
Keep in mind that these medications should be used alongside dietary changes and lifestyle modifications, such as regular physical activity.
Not only will adopting dietary and lifestyle changes help increase the effectiveness of weight loss drugs, they can also help minimize weight regain, which often occurs after you stop taking these medications.
Three GLP-1 agonists have been approved for weight loss, including liraglutide Saxenda , semaglutide Wegovy , and tirzepatide Zepbound. All three are available as a self-administered injection, but liraglutide is administered once daily , while semaglutide and tirzepatide are only injected once per week.
Though not approved specifically for weight loss, some other GLP-1 agonists intended to treat type 2 diabetes are sometimes prescribed off-label for weight management, including :. GLP-1 agonists are only available through a prescription from a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional.
Several telehealth services and weight loss programs may also provide prescriptions if you meet the eligibility criteria, including Ro Body Program and Calibrate. How it works: GLP-1 agonists work by slowing the emptying of the stomach, increasing feelings of fullness, and reducing the secretion of glucagon , a hormone involved in regulating appetite.
Effectiveness: Several studies have found that GLP-1 agonists could be beneficial for weight management. For instance, one study with 1, adults found that taking 2.
Another small study found that people taking liraglutide lost an average of Side effects: Common side effects include constipation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, headaches, increased heart rate, infections, and indigestion.
Though uncommon, severe side effects have also been reported, which may require medical attention. These include kidney problems, thyroid C-cell tumors , gallbladder disease, low blood sugar, and suicidal ideation. Contraindications: This medication is not recommended for people with multiple endocrine neoplasia MEN syndrome type 2, history of thyroid cancer or pancreatitis, pregnancy, and current use of certain prescription medications.
It can also be purchased over the counter as the brand Alli. After a medical consultation, a doctor can prescribe orlistat. Certain telehealth services may also provide a prescription for this medication.
How it works: Orlistat works by blocking the activity of certain enzymes used to break down fats in the digestive tract, which helps to reduce the amount of calories you absorb.
Effectiveness: According to a study of 80 people with obesity, those who took orlistat lost an average of They also experienced significant reductions in body mass index BMI , belly fat, and total and LDL bad cholesterol levels.
Side effects: Orlistat often causes digestive issues like loose or oily stools, gas, and frequent bowel movements, making the medication difficult for some people to tolerate.
It could also contribute to nutrient deficiencies, including in fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, or K. Following a low fat diet is typically recommended while taking this medication to help minimize adverse side effects.
Contraindications: chronic malabsorption, cholestasis a type of liver disease , pregnancy, renal impairment, and current use of certain prescription medications. It requires a prescription from a doctor and is sold under the brand Qsymia. How it works: This medication includes phentermine , a central nervous system stimulant and appetite suppressant with similar mechanisms to amphetamine.
It also includes topiramate , an anticonvulsant that helps reduce appetite and enhance satiety feeling full to promote weight loss. It could also cause increased body temperature, an inability to sweat, and psychiatric or cognitive disturbances.
Contraindications: This medication is not recommended for people with glaucoma eye conditions that can lead to blindness , a history of hyperthyroidism, pregnancy, recent use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and current use of certain prescription medications.
This medication, sold under the name Contrave, is an oral medication that combines bupropion, an antidepressant, and naltrexone, which is used to manage opioid or alcohol use disorder. A doctor can determine whether Contrave may be a good option for you and then provide a prescription.
Some online services may also prescribe Contrave following a virtual consultation with a healthcare professional. Over 1 year, participants lost an average of 11—22 lb 5—9 kg. It might also increase heart rate and blood pressure. Contraindications: This medication is not recommended for people with a history of seizures, end-stage renal disease, pregnancy, and current use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors, opioids, or certain other prescription medications.
Setmelanotide, sold as Imcivree, is in a class of medications known as melanocortin 4 MC4 receptor agonists. How it works: People with specific genetic mutations may experience insufficient activation of the MC4 receptor in the brain, which could contribute to obesity.
Setmelanotide works by increasing the activation of this receptor, leading to reduced hunger, decreased calorie intake, and increased metabolism , all of which could promote weight loss.
Participants also experienced a significant reduction in hunger with no serious treatment-related adverse events reported. Another small study in children, adolescents, and adults found that setmelanotide significantly improved quality of life as early as 5 weeks after starting treatment, which could be related to reduced hunger and body weight.
Side effects: Some of the most common side effects of setmelanotide include injection site reactions, hyperpigmentation , nausea, headache, diarrhea, and stomach or back pain.
Fatigue, vomiting, and depression have also been reported. Contraindications: This medication is not recommended for people with renal impairment, and those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. There are several anorectics, or appetite suppressants , available.
However, phentermine Adipex-P or Lomaira is the most commonly prescribed. Phentermine is taken orally and requires a prescription from a doctor or other healthcare professional. How it works: These medications reduce appetite by altering levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, which can lead to weight loss.
Today, Weiht U. Food pklls Drug Administration approved Wegovy Bacterial defense systems injection Weight loss pills. This under-the-skin injection is the first approved pipls for Liver detoxification techniques weight management in pillw with general obesity or overweight since Having obesity or overweight is a serious health issue associated with some leading causes of death, including heart disease, stroke and diabetes, and is linked to an increased risk of certain types of cancer. Wegovy works by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 GLP-1 that targets areas of the brain that regulate appetite and food intake. Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida Losd Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Phentermine Adipex-P, Lomaira is Isotonic drink for performance pilps medicine used to lessen appetite. It can help weight loss by making you less hungry. Or it can help you feel full longer. Phentermine also is offered combined with topiramate for weight loss Qsymia. The combined drug is approved for long-term use. Phentermine is approved for use for up to 12 weeks.
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