Articles
Prescription weight-loss drugs
Common weight-loss drugs
Safety of weight-loss drugs
Factors to consider
What drugs are approved in the U.S. for weight loss?
Who is a candidate for weight-loss drugs?
How long does drug therapy last?
The bottom line
Content
Who can take weight-loss drugs?
How well do weight-loss drugs work?
What you should know about weight-loss drugs
How long do I take a weight-loss drug?
What drugs are approved for weight loss?
Bupropion-naltrexone (Contrave)
Liraglutide (Saxenda)
Orlistat (Xenical)
Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia)
Semaglutide (Wegovy)
Tirzepatide (Zepbound)
Other weight-loss drugs
Medicines not approved by the FDA
Are weight-loss drugs right for you?
Safety of weight-loss drugs
Factors to consider
What drugs are approved in the U.S. for weight loss?
Who is a candidate for weight-loss drugs?
How long does drug therapy last?
The bottom line
Content
Who can take weight-loss drugs?
How well do weight-loss drugs work?
What you should know about weight-loss drugs
How long do I take a weight-loss drug?
What drugs are approved for weight loss?
Bupropion-naltrexone (Contrave)
Liraglutide (Saxenda)
Orlistat (Xenical)
Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia)
Semaglutide (Wegovy)
Tirzepatide (Zepbound)
Other weight-loss drugs
Medicines not approved by the FDA
Are weight-loss drugs right for you?
Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia)
Phentermine-topiramate is a mix of the weight-loss drug phentermine and the anticonvulsant topiramate. You take it by mouth once a day.
Phentermine is a Schedule IV drug. This is a label given to drugs that have a risk of misuse. But the rate of misuse seems to be low.
Side effects may include a faster heart rate and higher blood pressure, not being able to sleep, trouble passing stool, and being nervous. Topiramate raises the risk of birth defects.
Phentermine by itself (Adipex-P, Lomaira) is another weight-loss medicine. It's one of four weight-loss drugs the FDA approved for use for short-term use. Short-term use is less than 12 months.
