(NewsNation) — As medications become increasingly popular to support weight loss, not all of them are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Most prescription weight-loss drugs work by making you feel less hungry or fuller. Some do both. The exception is orlistat. It affects the way your body absorbs fat.
Among these are several drugs that belong to a class known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. While they share similarities, there are differences, particularly in the drugs semaglutide and tirzepatide.
Here are the eight FDA-approved weight loss medications:
Ozempic and Wegovy
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, mimics a natural hormone called GLP-1, according to WebMD. It works by helping regulate blood sugar, slowing down stomach emptying and signaling to the brain that you’re full, making it effective for both diabetes management and weight loss.
Ozempic is FDA-approved for treating Type 2 diabetes, and it may also reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke in people with diabetes and heart disease.
Wegovy, which is dosed differently than Ozempic, is FDA-approved for weight management in adults and kids 12 and up with obesity. Patients must meet a certain body mass index, or BMI, to qualify for its use.
Mounjaro and Zepbound
Mounjaro and Zepbound are tirzepitide instead of a semiglutide.
Mounjaro, Eli Lilly’s drug for diabetes, was approved by the FDA in 2017 to help treat Type 2 diabetes. The medication helps control a person’s blood glucose level.
Zepbound, a second form of tirzepitide produced by Eli Lilly, is FDA approved for chronic weight management. In December, it became the first FDA-approved drug for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.
Contrave
Contrave is a prescription weight-loss medication that combines two active ingredients: bupropion and naltrexone.
Bupropion is an antidepressant that can also help reduce appetite, while naltrexone is typically used to treat addiction by blocking the effects of opioids or alcohol. It may also help reduce hunger and cravings.
Contrave, which was approved by the FDA in 2014, belongs to a class of drugs called anorexiants and is intended for use in adults who are obese or overweight and have weight-related health conditions. It should be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
This medication does not treat weight-related health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol. It is also not approved for the treatment of depression, other psychiatric disorders, or to help quit smoking.
Saxenda
Saxenda contains liraglutide, a medication that mimics natural hormones involved in appetite regulation, feelings of fullness, and digestion. It is administered through a daily injection and is FDA-approved for weight management in adults and adolescents aged 12 to 17. The FDA approved Saxenda in 2017.
Qsymia
Qsymia is a combination of phentermine and topiramate. Phentermine is a stimulant similar to amphetamines and is used as an appetite suppressant. It has potential for misuse and may cause side effects like increased heart rate, high blood pressure, insomnia, constipation, and anxiety. Topiramate, an anticonvulsant, is included to enhance weight loss but carries a risk of birth defects.
Phentermine alone, sold under brand names such as Adipex-P and Lomaira, is also approved for short-term weight loss, typically less than 12 weeks. However, similar short-term weight-loss drugs are rarely prescribed today.
The FDA first approved Qsymia in July 2021 for chronic weight management in adults. In June 2022, it was approved for chronic weight management in pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with a BMI in the 95th percentile or greater.
Imcivree
Imcivree, which contains setmelanotide, is approved by the FDA for patients aged 6 and older who have obesity caused by certain rare genetic disorders.
To qualify for treatment with Imcivree, genetic testing must confirm one of these specific conditions. While setmelanotide does not correct the underlying genetic defects, it can help reduce appetite, increase feelings of fullness, and may enhance calorie burning at rest.
NewsNation’s Crystal Bonvillian contributed to this report.