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.

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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.

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Rx and OTC

Drug name	Rating	Reviews	Rx/OTC	Pregnancy	CSA	Alcohol
phentermine	8.7	2939 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	229 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	6.7	149 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	201 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	4.6	10 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	6.7	66 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	8.6	16 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	7.8	36 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	1943 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

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

bupropion Off-label	7.2	48 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

orlistat	7.3	366 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	8.3	113 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	150 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	1396 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	155 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	557 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	2019 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	1730 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	680 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

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Topics under Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight)

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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).

Learn more about Weight Loss

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Symptoms and treatments

Obesity

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.

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