These behaviors may indicate a disordered relationship with food or an ED. Disordered eating and EDs can affect anyone, regardless of gender identity, race, age, body size, socioeconomic status, or other identities. They can be caused by any combination of biological, social, cultural, and environmental factors — not just by exposure to diet culture.

GLP-1 agonists are currently the most effective anti-obesity medications and are considered safe for long-term use. Currently, only liraglutide Saxenda , semaglutide Wegovy , and tirzepatide Zepbound are approved for weight loss, though some other GLP-1 drugs may be prescribed off-label.

Still, keep in mind that individual results can vary based on many factors, including your diet, health status, and activity level. In addition to maximizing your potential results, it can increase the likelihood of maintaining weight loss in the long term.

If considered medically necessary, insurance companies may cover certain prescription weight loss medications. Some manufacturers also offer savings cards, which can help lower your copay. Ozempic and Wegovy are two different brands of the same drug, semaglutide.

However, there are differences in the recommended dosage and how each is administered. Additionally, Wegovy is FDA approved for weight management. Saxenda liraglutide , Wegovy semaglutide , and tirzepatide Zepbound are three GLP-1 medications recently approved for weight loss.

Other GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic semaglutide , are also sometimes prescribed off-label for weight management. Prescription medications have strong evidence to support their effectiveness for meaningful weight loss. Additionally, though they can promote weight loss and may even offer other health benefits, note that these medications are not suitable for everyone and can lead to weight regain once you stop taking them.

A doctor or other trusted healthcare professional can help you determine which is right for you and how to incorporate it into a healthy weight management plan. Obesity is a chronic condition, and medications are just one part of a treatment plan to help achieve and maintain weight loss.

Instead, they should be used only as directed and paired with a balanced diet, healthy lifestyle, and regular physical activity for best results. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

VIEW ALL HISTORY. This article tells you all you need to know about GLP-1 agonists like Wegovy, including whether they are safe and effective for weight loss. Alli diet pills are the over-the-counter version of a weight loss drug called orlistat.

This article looks at whether they are actually worth taking…. Plenity, a new hydrogel capsule that expands in the stomach to make a person feel full with less food, has been approved for use by the FDA to help…. Many people store fat in the belly, and losing fat from this area can be hard.

Here are 18 effective tips to lose belly fat, based on studies. Though fad diets typically promise quick and easy weight loss, they seldom live up to the hype. However, these 8 fad diets actually work.

If losing weight is your goal, this article covers 18 foods that may help support a healthy and sustainable weight loss journey, according to science. Sabudana, also known as tapioca pearls or sago, is a high-carbohydrate food.

It may not be good for weight loss. To lose weight long-term, you don't need crash diets or boot camp. Instead, start by simply replacing processed foods with real foods. Patients with diabetes who used GLP-1 drugs, including tirzepatide, semaglutide, dulaglutide, and exenatide had a decreased chance of being diagnosed….

A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based Are Weight Loss Medications Effective? A Dietitian Explains. Medically reviewed by Jerlyn Jones, MS MPA RDN LD CLT , Nutrition — By Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD and Kris Gunnars, BSc — Updated on November 20, On this page Approved drugs Effectiveness Prescription drugs Who should use When to talk with a doctor FAQs Bottom line.

How we vet brands and products Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site.

To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm? Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence? Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Read more about our vetting process. Was this helpful? What medications are FDA approved for weight loss? How effective are prescription weight loss drugs? Pros and cons of weight loss medications.

Pros effective for weight loss when used alongside dietary changes and regular physical activity approved by FDA for weight management might offer other health benefits, including improved blood sugar, blood pressure, or cholesterol levels many medications available through telehealth platforms.

Cons not suitable for everyone some medications may be expensive, depending on insurance coverage can cause side effects, some of which may be serious weight regain is possible once medication is discontinued more research needed on long-term health effects.

Prescription weight loss drugs. Who are weight loss drugs for? When to talk with a doctor. Frequently asked questions. The bottom line.

How we reviewed this article: Sources. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations.

We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Nov 20, Written By Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD, Kris Gunnars. Nov 17, Medically Reviewed By Jerlyn Jones, MS MPA RDN LD CLT. Share this article. Read this next.

GLP-1 Medications for Weight Loss and Type 2 Diabetes This article tells you all you need to know about GLP-1 agonists like Wegovy, including whether they are safe and effective for weight loss.

READ MORE. Exercise and Weight Loss. Medically reviewed by Peggy Pletcher, M. Do Alli Weight Loss Pills Orlistat Work? An Evidence-Based Review By The Healthline Editorial Team. FDA Approves New Weight Loss Pill That Makes You Feel Full Plenity, a new hydrogel capsule that expands in the stomach to make a person feel full with less food, has been approved for use by the FDA to help… READ MORE.

By Lisa Wartenberg, MFA, RD, LD. They were then randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or a supplement containing raspberry ketone, caffeine, bitter orange, ginger and garlic root extract.

While these results are intriguing, the fact that the trial was small and lasted only eight weeks means the results can't be reliably generalized to real-world situations.

And importantly, a short trial like this may miss side effects that only become apparent with long-term use. In addition, the trial used a supplement that contained multiple ingredients.

So it's impossible to tell which ingredient was responsible for the weight loss. Ideally these initial results would be tested in a much longer trial involving hundreds of participants with careful monitoring for side effects.

Results from such a trial would allow for an informed decision about the safety and effectiveness of such a product. Until such trial data is more readily available, claims regarding dietary supplements and weight loss should be treated with caution.

A product isn't necessarily safe simply because it's natural. Though rare, some dietary supplements have been linked to serious problems, such as liver damage.

Supplements can have strong effects. Ephedra ma-huang is an herb once used for weight loss. It's now banned by the FDA because it was associated with adverse effects, such as mood changes, high blood pressure, irregular heart rate, stroke, seizures and heart attacks.

Some weight-loss supplements have been found to contain hidden ingredients, such as prescription drugs, that may be harmful. It's important to do your homework if you're thinking about trying a weight-loss supplement.

Check credible websites, such as those run by the U. Office of Dietary Supplements and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Also be sure to talk with your doctor before taking any supplement.

This is especially important if you have health problems, take prescription drugs, or are pregnant or breast-feeding. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health.

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Show references Dietary supplements for weight loss. Office of Dietary Supplements. Accessed Oct. Perreault L. Obesity in adults: Drug therapy. Dietary supplements. Food and Drug Administration.

Barrea L, et al. Nutritionist and obesity: Brief overview on efficacy, safety, and drug interactions of the main weight-loss dietary supplements.

International Journal of Obesity Supplements. Bray GA, et al. The science of obesity management: An Endocrine Society scientific statement.

Endocrinology Review. Raynor HA, et al. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Interventions for the treatment of overweight and obesity in adults. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Esteghamati A, et al.