In this post, we provide specific prescriptions that will help in treating overweight and obesity.
The table below lists FDA-approved prescription medications for weight loss. The FDA has approved five of these drugs - orlistat (Xenical, Alli), lorcaserin (Belviq), phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia), naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave), and liraglutide (Saxenda) - for long-term use. According to FDA and NIH, one can keep taking these drugs as long as one is benefiting from treatment and not having unpleasant side-effects.
Some weight-loss medications that curb appetite are approved by the FDA only for short-term use, or up to 12 weeks. Although some doctors prescribe them for longer periods of time, not many research studies have looked at how safe and effective they are for long-term use.
Pregnant women should never take weight-loss medications. Women who are planning to get pregnant also should avoid these medications, as some of them may harm a fetus.
Prescription Medications Approved for Overweight and Obesity Treatment
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Weight-loss medication
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Approved for
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How it works
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Common side effects
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Warnings
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Orlistat (Xenical)
Available in lower dose without prescription (Alli)
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Adults and children ages 12 and older
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Works in your gut to reduce the amount of fat your body absorbs from the food you eat
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- diarrhea
- gas
- leakage of oily stools
- stomach pain
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Rare cases of severe liver injury have been reported. Avoid taking with cyclosporine. Take a multivitamin pill daily to make sure you get enough of certain vitamins that your body may not absorb from the food you eat.
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Lorcaserin (Belviq)
WITHDRAWN FROM MARKET in February 2020
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Adults
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Acts on the serotonin receptors in your brain. May help you feel full after eating smaller amounts of food.
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- constipation
- cough
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- feeling tired
- headaches
- nausea
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Lorcaserin (Belviq) was voluntarily withdrawn from the U.S. market in February 2020 at the request of the FDA because a clinical trial showed an increased occurrence of cancers.
The FDA recommends that patients should stop taking lorcaserin and talk to their health care professionals about alternative weight-loss medicines and weight management programs. Visit the FDA website for more information.
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Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia)
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Adults
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A mix of two medications: phentermine, which lessens your appetite, and topiramate, which is used to treat seizures or migraine headaches. May make you less hungry or feel full sooner.
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- constipation
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- taste changes, especially with carbonated beverages
- tingling of your hands and feet
- trouble sleeping
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Don't use if you have glaucoma or hyperthyroidism. Tell your doctor if you have had a heart attack or stroke, abnormal heart rhythm, kidney disease, or mood problems.
MAY LEAD TO BIRTH DEFECTS. DO NOT TAKE QSYMIA IF YOU ARE PREGNANT OR PLANNING A PREGNANCY. Do not take if you are breastfeeding.
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Naltrexone-bupropionNIH external link (Contrave)
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Adults
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A mix of two medications: naltrexone, which is used to treat alcohol and drug dependence, and bupropion, which is used to treat depression or help people quit smoking. May make you feel less hungry or full sooner.
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- constipation
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- headache
- increased blood pressure
- increased heart rate
- insomnia
- liver damage
- nausea
- vomiting
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Do not use if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, seizures or a history of anorexia or bulimia nervosa. Do not use if you are dependent on opioid pain medications or withdrawing from drugs or alcohol. Do not use if you are taking bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban).
MAY INCREASE SUICIDAL THOUGHTS OR ACTIONS.
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Liraglutide(Saxenda)
Available by injection only
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Adults
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May make you feel less hungry or full sooner. At a lower dose under a different name, Victoza, FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes.
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- nausea
- diarrhea
- constipation
- abdominal pain
- headache
- raised pulse
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May increase the chance of developing pancreatitis. Has been found to cause a rare type of thyroid tumor in animals.
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Other medications that curb your desire to eat include
- phentermine
- benzphetamine
- diethylpropion
- phendimetrazine
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Adults
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Increase chemicals in your brain to make you feel you are not hungry or that you are full.
Note: FDA-approved only for short-term use - up to 12 weeks
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- dry mouth
- constipation
- difficulty sleeping
- dizziness
- feeling nervous
- feeling restless
- headache
- raised blood pressure
- raised pulse
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Do not use if you have heart disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, or glaucoma. Tell your doctor if you have severe anxiety or other mental health problems.
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What about doctors prescribing "off-label" prescription medications to treat
overweight and obesity?
Sometimes doctors use medications in a way that's different from what the FDA has approved, known as "off-label" use. By choosing an off-label medication to treat overweight and obesity, your doctor may prescribe
- a drug approved for treating a different medical problem
- two or more drugs at the same time
- a drug for a longer period of time than approved by the FDA
You should feel comfortable asking your doctor if he or she is prescribing a medication that is not approved just for treating overweight and obesity. Before using a medication, learn all you need to know about it.