As an expert in the field of weight loss, I have seen countless individuals struggle to find a solution that truly works for them. With so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to determine which weight loss drug is the most effective. However, based on my experience and data reported in clinical studies, there is one drug that stands out above the rest - Qsymia. This prescription weight-loss pill has been shown to cause the most weight loss in the highest percentage of people. While there are several other weight loss drugs approved by the FDA for long-term use, including orlistat (Xenical, Alli), phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia), naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave), liraglutide (Saxenda), semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic), and tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro), Qsymia has consistently shown to be the most effective. In fact, in studies, Zepbound has caused a weight loss of 21% in adults using the highest dose, while Wegovy has caused a weight loss of around 15%.
The recent FDA approval of tirzepatide (to be sold under the brand name Zepbound) has only solidified its position as one of the most powerful weight loss drugs on the market. Manufactured by Eli Lilly and Co., Lilly submitted studies to the FDA showing that tirzepatide helped people who were overweight or obese and not diabetics lose about 18% of their body weight, compared to those who received a placebo. This is a significant difference and further supports the effectiveness of this drug. In previous studies, people with diabetes lost about 12% of their weight on average. By comparison, people without diabetes lost an average of 15% in semaglutide trials. The newest prescription drugs approved to treat obesity are semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Zepbound).
Other older medications include liraglutide (Saxenda), naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave), orlistat (Alli, Xenical) and phentermine topiramate (Qsymia).But what sets Zepbound apart from the rest is its ability to not only promote weight loss, but also lower the cost of several weight-loss medications. Mounjaro is another recent FDA-approved weight-loss drug that has shown impressive results in both weight loss and diabetes management. The essence? GLP-1 medications make you eat less. Over time, obese patients lose approximately 12% of their body weight with Wegovy (semaglutide) and around 18% with Zepbound (tirzepatide), which acts on GLP-1 and another intestinal hormone, GIP. In phase 3 studies, weight loss with Wegovy up to 68 weeks (104 weeks with STEP) was evaluated in approximately 4,500 adults without type 2 diabetes who were taking Wegovy or an inactive placebo.
The SURMONT-1 phase 3 study compared weight loss with tirzepatide (Zepbound) with treatment with placebo (inactive) over a period of 72 weeks. Low Wang and other experts predict that weight loss associated with Mounjaro should bring many health benefits. This is a promising development for those struggling with obesity and related health conditions. The history of weight-loss drugs is riddled with medications that, at first, seemed like easy and impressive solutions. However, many of these drugs have proven to be ineffective or even harmful in the long run. That's why it's important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any weight-loss medication. Currently, Zepbound is designed to be used in conjunction with a low-calorie diet and is also indicated to reduce the risk of regaining weight.
And if it helps, you may have to take it indefinitely to maintain your weight loss. Like Ozempic, Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) is another popular medication that has been used for unauthorized ways to help you lose weight. Many antidepressants are weight-positive (cause weight gain), some are weight-neutral, and at least one is negative (causes weight loss). If you think that using a weight-loss medication might benefit you, schedule an appointment with your doctor. It's important to talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of all weight-loss treatments. The average body weight at the start of the study was 45.8 kg (100.7 pounds), and enrolled patients also had comorbidities, such as high blood pressure, high lipid levels, obstructive apnea of sleep or heart disease. Zepbound (tirzepatide) for chronic weight control (weight reduction and maintenance) was studied in 2 randomized, placebo-controlled, 72-week studies (SURMOUNT-1 and SURMOUNT) in more than 3400 adults with obesity or excess weight (overweight) and at least one weight-related condition.
With a wider selection of weight-loss medications now available, patients can ask which is the strongest or most effective prescription weight-loss medication. While some weight-loss medications are approved by the FDA for adults only, semaglutide, liraglutide, and orlistat are approved for children ages 12 and older. This is because clinical trials have shown that people who don't have diabetes but do have a high body mass index (BMI) lost a lot of weight when they used Mounjaro. It may not seem like much, but it's still more than people usually lose just by changing their diet and exercising, which usually leads to body weight drops in single-digit percentages.
