How To Lose Weight Fast Vitamins

Medically reviewed by Jorge Moreno, MD — By Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD and Kris Gunnars, BSc — Updated on July 10, 2023

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Prescription weight loss medications, including GLP-1 agonists, orlistat, and setmelanotide, may be effective for some people. But other lifestyle changes are still necessary for long-term success.

If it’s challenging to lose weight despite making changes to your diet and increasing your physical activity, you may be wondering whether a prescription weight loss medication is right for you.

When paired with other lifestyle changes and taken under the supervision of a healthcare professional, these drugs may offer an effective way to lower your weight.

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We reviewed all of the weight loss medications that are currently available, including how they work, who they might be appropriate for, research on their effectiveness, and potential safety concerns.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several drugs for losing weight with overweight and obesity. These medications require a prescription from a doctor and should only be taken under medical supervision.

These medications should be combined with a balanced weight loss diet, as alone, they are not likely a helpful long-term solution for obesity and may lead to weight regain over time.

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Weight loss medications are not recommended during pregnancy and may not be safe for people who are pregnant or who may become pregnant, or anyone who is breastfeeding. Contact a trusted healthcare professional, like your OB-GYN, before taking any weight loss medications or supplements.

Orlistat is an oral medication that is available via prescription as Xenical. It can also be purchased over the counter as the brand Alli.

How it works: Orlistat works by blocking the activity of certain enzymes used to break down fats in the digestive tract, which helps to reduce the amount of calories you absorb (

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Effectiveness: According to a 2011 study of 80 people with obesity, those who took orlistat lost an average of 10.3 pounds (lb), or 4.65 kilograms (kg), after 6 months. They also experienced significant reductions in body mass index (BMI), belly fat, and total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels (

Side effects: Orlistat often causes digestive issues like loose or oily stools, gas, and frequent bowel movements, making the medication difficult for some people to tolerate. It could also contribute to nutrient deficiencies, including in fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, or K (4).

Phentermine/topiramate is an oral medication that belongs to a class of drugs known as sympathomimetic amines. It requires a prescription from a doctor and is sold under the brand Qsymia.

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How it works: This medication includes phentermine, a central nervous system stimulant and appetite suppressant with similar mechanisms to amphetamine. It also includes topiramate, an anticonvulsant that helps reduce appetite and enhance satiety (feeling full) to promote weight loss (

Effectiveness: One research review concluded that phentermine/topiramate resulted in an average weight loss of 17 lb (7.7 kg) and significantly reduced belly fat, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels (

Another review comparing the effectiveness of several weight loss medications found that people with overweight or obesity who took phentermine/topiramate lost an average of 19.4 lb (8.8 kg) after 1 year (

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Side effects: The most common side effects associated with phentermine/topiramate include dry mouth, constipation, and a sensation of pins and needles (paresthesia) (

Contraindications: glaucoma (eye conditions that can lead to blindness), a history of hyperthyroidism, pregnancy, recent use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and current use of certain prescription medications (

This medication, sold under the name Contrave, is an oral medication that combines bupropion, an antidepressant, and naltrexone, which is used to manage opioid or alcohol use disorder (

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A doctor can determine whether Contrave may be a good option for you and then provide a prescription. Some online services may also prescribe Contrave following a virtual consultation with a healthcare professional.

How it works: Though the exact mechanism of naltrexone/bupropion is not fully understood, it’s believed to promote weight loss by acting on certain parts of the brain to reduce food intake, boost metabolism, and increase feelings of fullness (

Effectiveness: One review of four studies showed that naltrexone/bupropion was associated with significant weight loss compared with a placebo. Over 1 year, participants lost an average of 11–22 lb (5–9 kg) (

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Side effects: Naltrexone/bupropion may cause nausea, constipation, headache, vomiting, dizziness, and insomnia. It might also increase heart rate and blood pressure (

Contraindications: history of seizures, end-stage renal disease, pregnancy, and current use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors, opioids, or certain other prescription medications (

Two GLP-1 agonists have been approved for weight loss, including liraglutide (Saxenda) and semaglutide (Wegovy). Both are available as a self-administered injection, but liraglutide is administered once daily, while semaglutide is only injected once per week (11, 12).

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Though not approved specifically for weight loss, some other GLP-1 agonists intended to treat type 2 diabetes are sometimes prescribed off-label for weight management, including (

GLP-1 agonists are only available through a prescription from a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. Several telehealth services and weight loss programs may also provide prescriptions if you meet the eligibility criteria, including Ro Body Program and Calibrate.

How it works: GLP-1 agonists work by slowing the emptying of the stomach, increasing feelings of fullness, and reducing the secretion of glucagon, a hormone involved in regulating appetite (

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For instance, one study in 1, 961 adults found that taking 2.4 milligrams (mg) of semaglutide per week combined with lifestyle changes resulted in a nearly 15% reduction in body weight after 68 weeks (

Though uncommon, severe side effects have also been reported, which may require medical attention. These include kidney problems, thyroid C-cell tumors, gallbladder disease, low blood sugar, and suicidal ideation. It’s important to be in regular contact with your healthcare professional to monitor for these side effects (11, 12).

More research is also needed on the long-term effects of these medications, as there is concern about potential weight regain over time.

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Contraindications: multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndrome type 2, history of thyroid cancer or pancreatitis, pregnancy, and current use of certain prescription medications.

Setmelanotide, sold as Imcivree, is in a class of medications known as melanocortin 4 (MC4) receptor agonists. It’s an injectable medication approved for treating obesity caused by certain genetic mutations and is available only via prescription (

How it works: People with specific genetic mutations may experience insufficient activation of the MC4 receptor in the brain, which could contribute to obesity.

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Setmelanotide works by increasing the activation of this receptor, leading to reduced hunger, decreased calorie intake, and increased metabolism, all of which could promote weight loss (18).

Effectiveness: One study in 21 people taking setmelanotide found that around 62% of participants achieved at least 10% weight loss after 1 year. Participants also experienced a significant reduction in hunger with no serious treatment-related adverse events reported (

Another small study in children, adolescents, and adults found that setmelanotide significantly improved quality of life as early as 5 weeks after starting treatment, which could be related to reduced hunger and body weight (

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Side effects: Some of the most common side effects of setmelanotide include injection site reactions, hyperpigmentation, nausea, headache, diarrhea, and stomach or back pain. Fatigue, vomiting, and depression have also been reported (18).

How it works: These medications reduce appetite by altering levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, which can lead to weight loss (

Effectiveness: One study in 3, 411 people compared the effectiveness of several medications for obesity and found that people taking phentermine lost the highest percentage of body weight over 12 weeks. Those taking phentermine lost an average of 8.3 lb (3.75 kg) throughout the study (

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However, keep in mind that these medications are only recommended for short-term use, as you can build up a tolerance after several weeks, resulting in decreased effectiveness (23).

Other severe side effects have been reported and require immediate medical attention, including shortness of breath, chest pain, and swelling of the lower extremities (23).

In addition to prescription drugs, there are also a few over-the-counter (OTC) weight loss pills available. However, research on the effectiveness and safety of these products is limited.

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While older research has found that the supplement was more effective for weight loss than a placebo, there have been concerns about the safety of Hydroxycut. Specifically, acute liver injury has been linked to using Hydroxycut supplements (

A 2021 meta-analysis found that people taking orlistat for 12 months in combination with lifestyle changes saw a 2.9% greater weight reduction than the placebo group. However, the supplement has been linked to numerous digestive side effects and may contribute to a deficiency in fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E, and K (4,

— Meratrim claims to make it harder for fat cells to multiply, decreases the amount of fat they pick up from the bloodstream, and helps them burn stored fat.

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Most research on Merarim has been done in test tubes, though one 2012 study in humans