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Medications for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight)

Other names: Obesity

More than half of the U.S. population is overweight. But being obese is different from being overweight. An individual is considered obese when weight is 20% (25% in women) or more over the maximum desirable for their height. When an adult is more than 100 pounds overweight, it is considered morbid obesity.

Obesity is also defined as a BMI (body mass index) over 30 kg/m2. Patients with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 are considered overweight, but not obese. See also diet and calories.

Drugs used for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight)

The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Filter
Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
phentermine 8.7 2943 reviews
Rx X 4 X

Generic name: phentermine systemic

Brand names:  Adipex-P, Lomaira, Atti-Plex P

Drug class: CNS stimulants, anorexiants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

topiramate Off-label 7.4 232 reviews
Rx D N X

Generic name: topiramate systemic

Brand name:  Topamax

Drug class: carbonic anhydrase inhibitor anticonvulsants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Off-label: Yes

Adipex-P 8.9 600 reviews
Rx X 4 X

Generic name: phentermine systemic

Drug class: CNS stimulants, anorexiants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Wegovy 6.6 228 reviews
Rx N X

Generic name: semaglutide systemic

Drug class: incretin mimetics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

semaglutide 6.5 354 reviews
Rx N X

Generic name: semaglutide systemic

Brand names:  Wegovy, Ozempic

Drug class: incretin mimetics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

Ozempic 6.1 55 reviews
Rx N X

Generic name: semaglutide systemic

Drug class: incretin mimetics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Topamax Off-label 6.6 68 reviews
Rx D N X

Generic name: topiramate systemic

Drug class: carbonic anhydrase inhibitor anticonvulsants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Off-label: Yes

Mounjaro Off-label 8.5 72 reviews
Rx N X

Generic name: tirzepatide systemic

Drug class: incretin mimetics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Off-label: Yes

tirzepatide Off-label 8.3 95 reviews
Rx N X

Generic name: tirzepatide systemic

Brand name:  Mounjaro

Drug class: incretin mimetics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

Off-label: Yes

Contrave 6.6 1950 reviews
Rx X N X

Generic name: bupropion / naltrexone systemic

Drug class: anorexiants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Desoxyn 10 4 reviews
Rx C 2 X

Generic name: methamphetamine systemic

Drug class: CNS stimulants, anorexiants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

bupropion Off-label 7.3 51 reviews
Rx C N X

Generic name: bupropion systemic

Drug class: miscellaneous antidepressants, smoking cessation agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Off-label: Yes

Alli 6.0 111 reviews
OTC X N

Generic name: orlistat systemic

Drug class: peripherally acting antiobesity agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

orlistat 7.4 369 reviews
Rx/OTC X N

Generic name: orlistat systemic

Brand names:  Alli, Xenical

Drug class: peripherally acting antiobesity agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Xenical 8.4 114 reviews
Rx X N

Generic name: orlistat systemic

Drug class: peripherally acting antiobesity agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

phendimetrazine 8.3 151 reviews
Rx C 3 X

Generic name: phendimetrazine systemic

Brand names:  Bontril PDM, Fendique ER

Drug class: CNS stimulants, anorexiants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Saxenda 7.5 1417 reviews
Rx C N X

Generic name: liraglutide systemic

Drug class: incretin mimetics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

diethylpropion 8.7 156 reviews
Rx B 4 X

Generic name: diethylpropion systemic

Drug class: CNS stimulants, anorexiants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Qsymia 7.7 558 reviews
Rx X 4 X

Generic name: phentermine / topiramate systemic

Drug class: anorexiants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

methamphetamine 10 5 reviews
Rx C 2 X

Generic name: methamphetamine systemic

Brand name:  Desoxyn

Drug class: CNS stimulants, anorexiants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Pregnyl Off-label 9.0 1 review
Rx X N

Generic name: chorionic gonadotropin (hcg) systemic

Drug class: gonadotropins

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Off-label: Yes

bupropion / naltrexone 6.6 2027 reviews
Rx X N X

Generic name: bupropion / naltrexone systemic

Brand name:  Contrave

Drug class: anorexiants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

liraglutide 7.6 1751 reviews
Rx C N X

Generic name: liraglutide systemic

Brand name:  Saxenda

Drug class: incretin mimetics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

phentermine / topiramate 7.8 682 reviews
Rx X 4 X

Generic name: phentermine / topiramate systemic

Brand name:  Qsymia

Drug class: anorexiants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

amphetamine 10 1 review
Rx C 2 X

Generic name: amphetamine systemic

Brand name:  Evekeo

Drug class: CNS stimulants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Topics under Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight)

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.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.