Does Weight Loss Medication Work?

Key Takeaways:

• Weight loss medications work for many people.

• They can help those with overweight or obesity lose weight and maintain weight loss long-term.

• Weight loss medications include injections and pills.

• Some weight loss medications are FDA-approved for weight loss, while others are prescribed off-label for weight loss.

The world of weight loss drugs can be confusing. There are so many types and brand names, and then there’s the big question: Does weight loss medication work?

The short answer is yes. Weight loss medications work for many people with overweight and obesity, helping them move toward a healthy weight and reap plenty of health benefits.

Ahead, we’ll explore what weight loss medications are out there, how they work, and how effective they are.

Weight loss medications are prescription drugs that help people with overweight or obesity lose weight. When lifestyle changes aren’t enough, medication can be the missing piece of the puzzle to promote weight loss.

Some weight loss drugs are designed for long-term use to help you lose weight and then avoid weight gain in the long run. Other drugs are for short-term use.

There are many types of weight loss medications, including:

• Daily injections

• Weekly injections

• Daily pills

Weight loss injections are subcutaneous injections, which means the injection goes just under your skin, rather than into a muscle or vein. You give yourself these injections at home.

Weight loss medications work in different ways. Some of them affect appetite by:

• Reducing hunger

• Increasing fullness (satiety)

• Curbing food cravings

• Reducing food noise, or difficult-to-ignore thoughts about food

These appetite changes help you eat nutritious meals and avoid overeating.

Other weight loss drugs work by reducing the amount of fat your body absorbs from food. This helps create a calorie deficit — when you burn more calories than you consume — which promotes weight loss.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved some medications for weight loss. Others are FDA-approved to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar, but healthcare providers sometimes prescribe them off-label for weight loss.

Off-label use means a drug is prescribed to treat something it’s not specifically FDA-approved for — a legal and common medical practice.

Here’s a look at a few common weight loss medications at a glance before we dive into more detail.

Semaglutide (Ozempic^®, Wegovy^®, Rybelsus^®)

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that works by reducing hunger and cravings, and making you feel fuller for longer.

It’s the active ingredient in the type 2 diabetes medication Ozempic^®. Yep, Ozempic^® isn’t actually a weight loss drug. It’s sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss, though.

Wegovy^® also contains semaglutide and is FDA-approved for weight loss and weight management in people with obesity or overweight who have a weight-related health condition, like:

• Type 2 diabetes

• Sleep apnea

• Heart disease

• High cholesterol (dyslipidemia)

• High blood pressure (hypertension)

Ozempic^® and Wegovy^® are both weekly injections.

Finally, Rybelsus^® is an oral form of semaglutide. It’s a daily tablet for type 2 diabetes that’s sometimes used for weight loss.

→ Learn more: Comparing Oral vs. Injectable Semaglutide

Liraglutide (Victoza^®, Saxenda^®)

Liraglutide is a GLP-1 agonist that works for weight loss by decreasing hunger and increasing fullness. It’s the active ingredient in the type 2 diabetes drug Victoza^® and the FDA-approved weight loss drug Saxenda^®.

The big difference here from other GLP-1s is that Victoza^® and Saxenda^® are daily injections, not weekly.

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro^®, Zepbound^®)

Tirzepatide is both a GLP-1 and a GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptor agonist. It works for weight loss by suppressing appetite, curbing cravings, and increasing fullness levels.

Tirzepatide is the active ingredient in type 2 diabetes medication Mounjaro^® and weight loss medication Zepbound^®. Both of these drugs are weekly injections.

Metformin

Metformin is a type 2 diabetes drug, but it can also work for weight loss. The medication can suppress your appetite and alter your gut microbiome to support weight loss.

It’s a daily tablet you might take once, twice, or three times a day, depending on your dose.

→ Compare: Ozempic^® vs. Metformin

Naltrexone

Naltrexone is FDA-approved to treat alcohol use disorder and opioid dependence. It blocks opioid receptors, reducing the pleasurable effects of these substances.

For weight loss, naltrexone is sometimes prescribed off-label with other ingredients as part of a weight loss treatment plan.

It’s a daily pill.

Orlistat (Xenical^®, Alli^®)

Orlistat is a lipase inhibitor, meaning it reduces how much fat your body absorbs from food. This reduces how many calories you take in, which can promote a calorie deficit and weight loss.

It’s a daily tablet you take three times a day, during or within an hour of meals.

Orlistat drugs include Xenical and Alli. Xenical is available with a prescription, and Alli is available over the counter because it contains a lower dose of orlistat.

Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia^®)

Phentermine and topiramate are two separate medications. Combined, they’re sold under the brand name Qsymia, which is FDA-approved for weight loss.

Qsymia is a daily pill that can suppress your appetite.

Weight loss medications are effective for many people. They can help you move toward your weight loss goals and improve your long-term health.

Of course, different medications have different levels of effectiveness.

For example, a clinical trial on Wegovy^® found that people lost an average of about 15 percent of their body weight over 68 weeks.

Another study on 15 mg (milligrams) of Zepbound^® found that people lost an average of about 21 percent of their body weight over 72 weeks.

Finally, research on metformin found that it can reduce body mass index (BMI) by about one unit.

→ Find your BMI: Hims BMI Calculator

Weight loss medications can work quickly. You might notice a change in your hunger levels in a few days and see weight loss in a few weeks. But each medication is different, and we all respond differently to medications.

How quickly a weight loss medication works depends on:

• The medication you’re taking

• Your dose

• The lifestyle changes you make

• Whether you have any health problems

Healthcare providers tend to prescribe weight loss medications alongside eating a healthy diet and doing more movement — two lifestyle changes that can further support your weight loss goals.

The exact changes you make can determine how quickly you lose weight. But it’s worth noting that gradual weight loss of one to two pounds a week is best.

→ Read: How Long Does It Take for Wegovy^® to Work?

Weight loss medications come with some potential side effects. For many of these drugs, the most common side effects are gastrointestinal issues, such as:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Constipation

• Diarrhea

• Stomach pain

Luckily, side effects tend to be mild to moderate and decrease with time. You might find you experience side effects when you first start a weight loss treatment and, for some medications, when your dose increases.

When lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough, weight loss medications can work to lower your weight and improve your overall well-being.

Here are the key takeaways:

• Some medications are FDA-approved for weight loss. Medications like Wegovy^®, Saxenda^®, and Zepbound^® are FDA-approved obesity treatments. Other medications like Ozempic^® and metformin are prescribed off-label for weight loss.

• Many weight loss medications reduce your appetite. They work in different ways. But weight loss medications tend to reduce hunger and make you feel fuller for longer, helping you eat more nutritious foods and stick to portion sizes.

• Weight loss medications work for many people. Studies show they can lead to weight loss when used alongside healthy eating and physical activity.

There’s no “best weight loss medication.” The best weight loss drug for you depends on your weight, goals, health profile, and personal preferences.

To learn more about your options, take our free online weight loss assessment. A healthcare provider will go over your answers and let you know if weight loss medications could work for you.

Find answers to frequently asked questions about weight loss drugs below.

What’s the most effective weight loss medication?

The most effective weight loss medication depends on how your body reacts. In general, research suggests that higher doses of Zepbound^® are more effective than Ozempic^®, and Wegovy^® is more effective than Saxenda^®.

How long do I take weight loss medication for?

How long you take weight loss medication depends on your goal weight and the medication you’re taking. Unless you develop any new medical conditions, you might be able to take some weight loss medications (like GLP-1s) long-term to maintain your weight. You can also come off weight loss medication if you’d prefer.

Who can take weight loss medication?

In general, you can take weight loss medication if you have obesity or overweight with a weight-related health condition like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. A healthcare provider will look at your weight, goals, current health, and medical history to determine if you can take weight loss medication.