Brenda Khan
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several weight loss drugs for adults and children. These include orlistat (Xenical, Alli), liraglutide (Saxenda), phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia), semaglutide (Wegovy), and tirzepatide (Zepbound). Zepbound, for example, is administered via injection and is intended for adults with obesity or those who are overweight with at least one weight-related condition. It is meant to be used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Other medications like Wegovy (approved in 2021) are also administered via injection and are approved for use in adults and children aged 12 and above with obesity or some adults with excess weight and weight-related medical issues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of FDA-approved weight loss drugs on the market | 8 |
| Drugs | Zepbound, Wegovy, Xenical, Alli, Contrave, Saxenda, Qsymia, IMCIVREE |
| Active ingredients | Tirzepatide, Semaglutide, Orlistat, Bupropion, Naltrexone, Liraglutide, Phentermine-topiramate, Setmelanotide |
| Dosage | Varies, but typically ranges from 5-15 mg once weekly |
| Administration | Injection, oral |
| Side effects | Gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, dizziness, fatigue, increased risk of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) |
| Interactions | Synthroid, may increase risk of MTC |
| Populations | Adults, children aged 12 and older, those with rare genetic disorders causing obesity |
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What You'll Learn
FDA-approved diet pills for children
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a few weight management medications for children. These medications are intended for children who are obese or overweight and have weight-related medical problems. Here is a list of FDA-approved diet pills for children:
Orlistat (Xenical, Alli)
Orlistat is a lipase inhibitor that reduces the amount of fat absorbed in the gut after eating. It is available by prescription for children ages 12 and older. The typical dosage is 120 milligrams (mg) three times daily, and no more than 30% of calories should come from fat while taking this medication.
Liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza)
Liraglutide is a medication that impacts weight loss and gastric functions (stomach emptying effect). It is FDA-approved for adolescents and young adults who have severe obesity or weight-related health conditions.
Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia)
Phentermine-topiramate is a combination medication that includes stimulants and is approved by the FDA as an appetite suppressant. It is approved for children ages 12 and older.
Semaglutide (Wegovy)
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that was FDA-approved in 2021 for long-term use. It is approved for children aged 12 and older with obesity or overweight with additional health problems. The dosage is gradually increased over 16 to 20 weeks to reach the target dosage of 2.4 mg.
Setmelanotide (IMCIVREE)
Setmelanotide is approved by the FDA for children aged 6 and older with rare genetic disorders causing obesity. This medication is typically prescribed when other weight-loss interventions have not been successful.
It is important to note that these medications are intended to be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and increased physical activity. They are not a replacement for lifestyle and behaviour changes but can be a helpful addition to a comprehensive weight management plan.
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FDA-approved diet pills for adults
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several weight loss drugs for adults. Here is a list of some FDA-approved diet pills for adults:
Zepbound (Tirzepatide)
Zepbound is an injection medication approved for adults with obesity or a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. It can also be used for overweight individuals with a BMI of 27 or higher who have at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. The active ingredient in Zepbound is tirzepatide, which helps regulate hormones to suppress appetite and reduce food intake. The recommended dosage is 5-15 mg injected once weekly, and it should be used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Wegovy (Semaglutide)
Wegovy is a brand name for semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It was FDA-approved in 2021 for adults with obesity (BMI ≥30) or adults with excess weight (BMI ≥27) who have weight-related medical problems. The dosage must be gradually increased over 16 to 20 weeks to reach the target dosage of 2.4 mg. Wegovy is intended to be used indefinitely alongside a healthy diet and exercise regimen.
Xenical (Orlistat)
Xenical is a lipase inhibitor that reduces the amount of fat absorbed in the gut. It is typically prescribed for individuals with a BMI of 27 or higher who also have medical conditions such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. The usual dosage is 120 milligrams (mg) taken three times daily, and it is important to note that no more than 30% of calories should come from fat when taking this medication.
Contrave (Naltrexone-Bupropion)
Contrave is a combination medication that includes naltrexone (an opioid antagonist) and bupropion (an antidepressant). It helps with weight loss when paired with a low-calorie diet and exercise. Contrave is one of the FDA-approved medications that suppress appetite.
It is important to consult with a healthcare provider before taking any weight loss medication to ensure it is safe and appropriate for your individual needs. Additionally, it is recommended to combine these medications with a healthy diet and increased physical activity for optimal results.
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FDA-approved appetite suppressants
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several weight loss medications and appetite suppressants. Here is a list of some FDA-approved appetite suppressants:
Tirzepatide (Zepbound)
Zepbound is an injection-based medication approved for adults with obesity or overweight (with a body mass index of 30 or greater) who also have weight-related medical problems. It is meant to be used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. The active ingredient in Zepbound is already approved under the trade name Mounjaro, which is used to manage blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Semaglutide (Wegovy)
Wegovy is the brand name for semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It was FDA-approved in 2021 for use in adults and children aged 12 and above with obesity or some adults with excess weight who have weight-related medical issues. The medication is administered as an injection, and the dose must be gradually increased over 16 to 20 weeks to reach the recommended 2.4 mg dosage.
Liraglutide (Saxenda)
Liraglutide, sold under the brand name Saxenda, is an FDA-approved medication for weight loss and gastric functions. It is approved for use in adolescents, young adults, and adults who are overweight or have obesity, including those with binge eating disorder or polycystic ovary syndrome.
Naltrexone-Bupropion (Contrave)
Contrave is a combination medication that includes an antidepressant (bupropion) and an opioid antagonist (naltrexone). It is designed to be used alongside a low-calorie diet and exercise regimen.
Phentermine-Topiramate (Qsymia)
Qsymia is another FDA-approved medication for weight management in children aged 12 and older. It is one of the few weight loss medications approved for long-term use. However, it should not be used during pregnancy.
It is important to note that while these medications can aid in weight loss and appetite suppression, they should be used under medical supervision and in conjunction with a healthy diet and physical activity for optimal results and safety. Additionally, some of these medications may interfere with hormonal birth control, so it is essential to consult a healthcare provider before starting any new medication.
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FDA-approved injectable diet medication
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a few injectable medications for weight loss. These medications are typically recommended for adults with obesity or those who are overweight with at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. Here is a detailed list of FDA-approved injectable diet medications:
Zepbound (Tirzepatide)
Zepbound is an injectable medication approved by the FDA for chronic weight management. It is recommended for adults with obesity (BMI of 30 or higher) or those who are overweight (BMI of 27 or higher) with at least one weight-related health condition. The active ingredient in Zepbound is tirzepatide, which is also approved under the trade name Mounjaro for improving blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. Zepbound is administered as a subcutaneous injection once a week, with a target dosage of 5 to 15 mg. It works by activating receptors of hormones, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), to reduce appetite and food intake.
Wegovy (Semaglutide)
Wegovy is another injectable medication approved by the FDA for weight loss. It is recommended for individuals who are obese or overweight with additional health problems. Wegovy and Ozempic are two names for the same drug, semaglutide, which mimics the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) to regulate appetite. Common side effects of Wegovy include gastrointestinal problems, such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and abdominal pain.
Ozempic (Semaglutide)
Ozempic is the name of the drug semaglutide when prescribed for people with diabetes. While it is primarily indicated for individuals with Type 2 diabetes, it has also been shown to improve cardiovascular health and aid in weight loss.
It is important to note that these injectable medications should be used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for effective weight management. Additionally, it is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any weight loss medication to ensure safe and effective use.
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FDA-approved over-the-counter diet pills
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several weight loss drugs, including prescription medications and over-the-counter (OTC) options. Here is an overview of some FDA-approved over-the-counter diet pills:
Alli
Alli is an over-the-counter weight loss pill that contains the active ingredient orlistat. It is available in 60 mg capsules for individuals aged 18 and older. By reducing the amount of fat absorbed in the gut, Alli aids in weight loss. Clinical studies have shown that most people who took the 60 mg version of orlistat lost 5 to 10 pounds over six months. Alli is generally well-tolerated due to its lower dose compared to prescription Xenical, which also contains orlistat.
Contrave
Contrave is a combination medication that consists of bupropion, an antidepressant, and naltrexone, an opioid antagonist. It is designed to help with weight loss in conjunction with a low-calorie diet and appropriate exercise.
Wegovy
Wegovy, a brand name for semaglutide, is a GLP-1 receptor agonist approved by the FDA in 2021. It is administered as an injection and is suitable for adults and children aged 12 and older with obesity or excess weight and weight-related medical issues. The dosage must be gradually increased over 16 to 20 weeks to reach the recommended 2.4 mg. Wegovy is intended for long-term use alongside a healthy diet and exercise.
Zepbound
Zepbound (tirzepatide) is another injectable medication approved by the FDA for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related condition. It is typically used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. The recommended dosage of Zepbound is 5-15 mg, injected once weekly. Clinical studies have shown statistically significant weight loss in individuals who combined Zepbound with diet and exercise, compared to those who took a placebo.
It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before taking any weight loss medication to ensure safe and effective use. Additionally, it is worth noting that the landscape of pharmacological treatments for obesity is rapidly evolving, and new medications and combinations are continuously being studied.
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Frequently asked questions
The FDA has approved several diet pills for weight loss and weight management. Here are some of them:
- Zepbound (Tirzepatide)
- Wegovy (Semaglutide)
- Saxenda (Liraglutide)
- Contrave (Naltrexone-bupropion)
- Qsymia (Phentermine-topiramate)
Zepbound is approved by the FDA for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight (with a BMI of 30 or greater) who also have weight-related medical problems. It is administered by injection.
Wegovy is approved for use in adults and children aged 12 and older with obesity or some adults with excess weight (BMI ≥27) and weight-related health issues. It is also administered by injection.
Alli is an over-the-counter weight loss medication approved by the FDA. It contains Orlistat, which reduces fat absorption in the gut.
Yes, the FDA has approved four weight management medications for children ages 12 and older: Orlistat (Xenical), Liraglutide (Saxenda), Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia), and Semaglutide (Wegovy). Another prescription medication, Setmelanotide (IMCIVREE), is approved for children ages 6 and older with rare genetic disorders causing obesity.
