How much weight will I lose?

Quick read · 5 min

Last reviewed: April 2026Based on 50 clinical trialsEvery claim linked to source

In clinical trials, people lost between 7% and 21% of their body weight on average. For a 240 lb person, that is roughly 17 to 50 lbs.

Average weight loss ranges from 12% to 21% depending on the drug

Tirzepatide produces the highest average loss (~21%), followed by oral semaglutide (~17%), injectable semaglutide (~15%), and orforglipron (~12%). Individual results vary widely.

Tirzepatide (Zepbound)Weekly injection20.9%(~50 lbs)
Semaglutide pill (Oral Wegovy)Daily pill16.6%(~40 lbs)
Semaglutide injection (Wegovy)Weekly injection14.9%(~36 lbs)
Orforglipron (Foundayo)Daily pill12.4%(~30 lbs)
Phentermine/Topiramate (Qsymia)Daily pill9.8%(~24 lbs)
Naltrexone/Bupropion (Contrave)Daily pill9.3%(~22 lbs)
Liraglutide (Saxenda)Daily injection8%(~19 lbs)
Orlistat (Alli/Xenical)Pill with meals6.9%(~17 lbs)
Newer drugsOlder drugs

Averages from clinical trials at highest approved dose. For a 240 lb person. Not everyone achieves these results.

Want your personal numbers? Use the calculator below to see what these percentages mean for your weight.

What could this mean for you?

Enter your weight to see what the trial averages would mean in real terms.

Enter your weight above to see personalised estimates.

What this means:

These are averages. About 1 in 3 people on tirzepatide lost more than 20% of their body weight. About 1 in 5 people on any drug lose less than 5%. Your actual result depends on dose reached, adherence, diet, exercise, and individual metabolism.


Not everyone loses the same amount

These percentages are averages. In reality, people had very different outcomes. Here is how results were spread across thousands of participants:

Semaglutide injection (Wegovy)

(1,961 people studied)
Lost 20%+37%
37%
Lost 10–20%35%
35%
Lost 5–10%13%
13%
Lost <5%15%
15%

Tirzepatide (Zepbound)

(2,539 people studied)
Lost 20%+57%
57%
Lost 10–20%25%
25%
Lost 5–10%8%
Lost <5%10%
10%

Orforglipron (Foundayo)

(1,579 people studied)
Lost 20%+25%
25%
Lost 10–20%35%
35%
Lost 5–10%20%
20%
Lost <5%20%
20%

Notice: On tirzepatide, 57% of people lost 20% or more. On the older drugs, that number drops to 25–37%. But on any drug, about 1 in 5 people lost less than 5%.


What predicts better results?

📊

Higher starting weight

More absolute pounds lost, though the percentage is similar. A heavier person losing 15% loses more total weight.

💊

Reaching maximum dose

Most weight loss happens at the highest tolerated dose. If you stay at a lower dose, you&apos;ll see less dramatic results.

🏋️

Resistance training + protein

Weight training (3–4 times per week) plus 60–100g protein daily preserves muscle and may boost fat loss.

⏱️

Staying on treatment

Weight loss continues for 12–18 months before plateauing. Stopping early means slower, smaller results.


Bottom line

  • Averages are just averages. About 1 in 3 people do better, and about 1 in 5 lose less than 5%.
  • Give any medication at least 3–6 months at the therapeutic dose before judging results.
  • Lifestyle factors (protein, resistance training) can meaningfully improve both how much you lose and how much is fat instead of muscle.

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Backed by evidence · Every claim linked to its source

Last reviewed: April 2026

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.