FDA approved·6 treatments
Prescription Treatments
All currently FDA-approved weight loss medications. Weight loss figures are from clinical trials — individual results vary.
Quick read · 3 min
Weekly injection
4 options
Daily injection
1 option
Daily pill
3 options
Capsule with food
1 option
In simple terms:
- •There are 6 FDA-approved prescription weight loss treatments
- •Injectable GLP-1 drugs generally produce the largest weight loss in trials
- •Daily pills are significantly more affordable than weekly injections
- •All require a prescription — a doctor will assess whether you qualify
Based on clinical trials · No rankings · Every claim linked to source
Last reviewed: March 2026
Weight loss in clinical trials — at a glance
Sorted by trial result — not a ranking. Individual results vary.
Tirzepatide(Zepbound)20.9%(~46 lbs)
Semaglutide (pill)(Wegovy pill)16.6%(~37 lbs)
Semaglutide (injection)(Wegovy)14.9%(~33 lbs)
Phentermine / Topiramate ER(Qsymia)9.8%(~22 lbs)
Naltrexone / Bupropion ER(Contrave)9.3%(~20 lbs)
Orlistat(Xenical)8.5%(~19 lbs)
Liraglutide(Saxenda)8%(~18 lbs)
TirzepatideGLP-1 / combination pillFat blocker
Averages from clinical trials at highest approved dose. Semaglutide pill figure (16.6%) is from OASIS 4 — with full adherence. Placebo groups typically lost 1–3%. Not everyone achieves these results.
All approved treatments
Tirzepatide
Zepbound / Mounjaro
FDA 2023
FormOnce-weekly injection
Works byActivates two appetite signals in the brain (GIP + GLP-1)
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Semaglutide
Wegovy injection / Wegovy pill / Ozempic
FDA 2021
FormInjection: once-weekly · Pill: once-daily
Works byActivates one appetite signal in the brain (GLP-1) — reduces hunger and slows digestion
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Liraglutide
Saxenda
FDA 2014
FormDaily injection
Works byActivates one appetite signal in the brain (GLP-1) — reduces hunger and slows digestion
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Naltrexone / Bupropion ER
Contrave
FDA 2014
FormTwice-daily oral tablet — no injection
Works byWorks on appetite and reward pathways in the brain
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Phentermine / Topiramate ER
Qsymia
FDA 2012
FormDaily oral capsule — no injection
Works byReduces appetite through two complementary mechanisms
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Orlistat
Xenical
FDA 1999
FormThree capsules daily, taken with each fat-containing meal
Works byBlocks absorption of about a third of the fat you eat
Learn more →
Note on weight loss figures: All percentages represent average weight loss from baseline in clinical trials at the stated dose and duration. People given a dummy pill (placebo) typically lost 1–3% of body weight in the same trials — the drug effect is on top of this. Not all participants achieve the maximum result.
Medical disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any treatment.