FDA-Approved Weight Loss Medications

When you lose weight, your body fights back. Metabolism slows, and your body decreases production of several hormones involved in appetite regulation. The end result – you feel hungry all the time, and over time, will tend to regain back to the starting weight. Weight loss medications help keep the weight off by offsetting your body’s natural response to weight loss. We now have a variety of options including both oral and injectable medications that can help you lose more weight than behavior change alone. More importantly, they can help you keep the weight off by offsetting the increase in hunger caused by weight loss.

GLP-1 weight loss medications

The main GLP-1 medications we are using for weight loss are semaglutide (marketed as Wegovy for weight loss and Ozempic for diabetes) and tirzepatide (marketed as Zepbound for weight loss and Mounjaro for diabetes). These medications are injected once a week and provide sustainable, safe weight loss. You do the injection at home by yourself and it is not painful.

These medications are long-acting versions of a hormone your body makes naturally called GLP-1. This hormone helps you feel satisfied after you eat. When you lose weight, your body lowers production of this hormone resulting in excess hunger, thus making keeping weight off very difficult. By replacing the GLP-1 hormone, you are able to keep the weight off without thinking about food all of the time.

Oral weight loss medications

Oral weight loss medications include older generics like phentermine and Tenuate, and the newer branded weight loss medications Contrave and Qsymia. These medications work in the appetite center of your brain to help decrease hunger. They are safe for most patients and are inexpensive compared to the GLP-1 weight loss medications.

Weight Loss Comparison