As an expert in the field of weight loss, I have seen many different drugs come and go. However, there are a few that have stood the test of time and have proven to be effective in helping people achieve their weight loss goals. In this article, I will discuss the top weight loss drugs on the market and their results, as well as provide some insight into how they work and who they are best suited for. At the forefront of weight loss drugs are phentermine and orlistat, marketed as Lomaira, Adipex-P, Xenical, and Alli. These drugs have been around for some time and have shown to be effective in promoting weight loss.
However, there are newer drugs on the market that have been gaining attention for their impressive results. The most notable of these newer drugs are Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Zepbound. These drugs have been shown to lead to long-term weight loss, with Wegovy and Zepbound being the only ones approved by the FDA for this use. In studies conducted with Zepbound, adults achieved a weight loss of 21% with the highest dose, while Wegovy resulted in a weight loss of around 15%. Phentermine alone (Adipex-P, Lomaira) is also used for weight loss but is only approved for short-term use. Recently, a new weight-loss drug called Zepbound has been approved by the FDA and has shown to be even more effective than Wegovy.
Not only does it produce impressive results, but it also lowers the cost of several other weight-loss medications. The newest prescription drugs approved for obesity treatment are semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Zepbound). Other older medications include liraglutide (Saxenda), naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave), orlistat (Alli, Xenical), and phentermine topiramate (Qsymia).These drugs are often referred to as "miracle drugs" due to their rapid and dramatic results. In fact, between 50 and 57% of patients achieved a weight reduction of 20% or more with the 10 to 15 mg dose, compared to only 3% in the placebo group.
Phentermine works by curbing appetite, while topiramate helps with weight loss in various ways, such as making food less appealing and burning more calories. In clinical trials, adult patients have lost an average of 15% of their body weight with Wegovy and between 6 and 7% with Ozempic. Other SSRIs, such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), and sertraline (Zoloft), have varying effects on weight, with some showing no weight gain until after six months of use. Orlistat works by slowing down the speed at which food travels through the digestive tract, known as gastric emptying. In the largest clinical trial conducted before FDA approval, people who took the highest dose of Wegovy (2.4 milligrams) lost an average of more than 12% of their body weight over 17 months. This is why it is crucial to discuss weight-loss medications with your primary care provider and specialists who focus on common conditions such as diabetes.
Insurance coverage for these medications varies and can greatly impact a patient's decision to take them. It is essential to note that everyone's body is different, and factors such as microbiomes and metabolic set points can affect weight and weight gain. While not specifically indicated for weight loss, participants treated with Mounjaro lost between 5.5 kg (12 pounds) and 11 kg (25 pounds) on average. The amount of weight a person loses also depends on their overall health and other individual factors. In the clinical trial, the average body weight at the start was 45.8 kg (100.7 pounds), and enrolled patients had comorbidities such as high blood pressure, high lipid levels, obstructive sleep apnea, or heart disease. Competition between drug companies and those working on new weight-loss drugs can drive down the prices of expensive medications.
Mounjaro has been shown to reduce fasting and postprandial glucose concentration, decrease food intake, and reduce body weight in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. While lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and regular exercise are crucial for anyone taking weight-loss medications, these drugs are revolutionizing the treatment of obesity and diabetes.
