List of Medications for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight)
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Other names: anorexiants; anti-obesity medications; diet drugs; diet medications; Weight Loss Medications
Common weight loss medications (anorexiants) are benzphetamine (Didrex, Regimex), bupropion and naltrexone (Contrave), diethylpropion, liraglutide (Saxenda), methamphetamine (Desoxyn), orlistat (alli, Xenical), phendimetrazine (Bontril, Melfiat), phentermine (Adipex-P, Lomaira), phentermine and topiramate (Qsymia), semaglutide (Wegovy), and tirzepatide (Zepbound). Sibutramine (Meridia) was withdrawn from U.S. market in 2010 due to increased heart toxicity risk, and lorcaserin (Belviq) was withdrawn from the U.S. market in 2020 due to an increased cancer risk.
Weight loss medications are usually used together with a reduced calorie diet and and exercise.
Table of Common Weight Loss Drugs
| Brand Name (Manufacturer) | Generic Name | Description | Controlled Substance? |
|---|---|---|---|
| phentermine | oral tablet or capsules; appetite suppressant; anorectic | yes, C- IV | |
| alli, Xenical | orlistat | oral capsule; lipase inhibitor; inhibits fat absorption in the intestine | available over-the-counter (OTC) |
| Belviq, Belviq XR (brands and generic discontinued) | lorcaserin (withdrawn) | selective serotonin 2C receptor agonist; promotes a feeling of fullness or satiety; withdrawn from US market in 2020 due to increased cancer risk (such as pancreatic, colorectal, and lung). | product withdrawn |
| Bontril PDM, Melfiat (both brands discontinued) | phendimetrazine | oral tablets; appetite suppressant; anorectic | yes, C-III |
| Desoxyn | methamphetamine | oral tablets; appetite suppressant; use cautiously if prescribed for weight loss due to high potential for abuse, illegal distribution | yes, C-II |
| Didrex, Regimex (both brands discontinued) | benzphetamine | oral tablet; appetite suppressant; anorectic | yes, C-III |
| Tenuate, Tenuate Dospan (brands discontinued) | diethylpropion | oral tablet; appetite suppressant; anorectic | yes, C-IV |
| Meridia (brand discontinued) | sibutramine (withdrawn) | anorectic; withdrawn from US market in 2010 due to increased heart toxicity risk. | product withdrawn |
| Qsymia | phentermine and topiramate extended-release | oral capsules; combination appetite suppressant-anorectic; exact action of topiramate on weight loss is not known | yes, C-IV |
| Suprenza (brand discontinued) | phentermine | oral tablet; appetite suppressant; anorectic | brand not available; generic C-IV |
| Xenical | orlistat | oral capsule; lipase inhibitor; prescription form of Alli (OTC); higher dose than Alli; inhibits fat absorption in the intestine | not controlled; prescription required. |
| Contrave | bupropion and naltrexone | oral tablet; increases metabolism, suppresses appetite, affects central reward center (proposed mechanism) | not controlled; prescription required. |
| Saxenda | liraglutide | once-daily subcutaneous injection; glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist | not controlled; prescription required. |
| Wegovy | semaglutide | once-weekly subcutaneous injection; glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist | not controlled; prescription required. |
| Zepbound | tirzepatide | once-weekly subcutaneous injection; glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist | not controlled; prescription required. |
Drugs used for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight)
The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.
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Topics under Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight)
- Cellulite (2 drugs)
Alternative treatments for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight)
The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight). Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However, there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight).
Legend
| Rating | For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective). |
|---|---|
| Activity | Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list. |
| Rx | Prescription only. |
| OTC | Over-the-counter. |
| Rx/OTC | Prescription or Over-the-counter. |
| Off-label | This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition. |
| EUA | An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives. |
| Expanded Access | Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available. |
| Pregnancy Category | |
|---|---|
| A | Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters). |
| B | Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. |
| C | Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks. |
| D | There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks. |
| X | Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits. |
| N | FDA has not classified the drug. |
| Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule | |
|---|---|
| M | The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication. |
| U | CSA Schedule is unknown. |
| N | Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act. |
| 1 | Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. |
| 2 | Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. |
| 3 | Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence. |
| 4 | Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3. |
| 5 | Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4. |
| Alcohol | |
|---|---|
| X | Interacts with Alcohol. |
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Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.