Every FDA-approved weight-loss medication side by side (checked October 6, 2026): how each is taken, who the label covers, main trial results, boxed warnings and dated prices. Never ranked.
Fact-checked against FDA labels and official sources; not yet reviewed by a licensed clinician. This page is education, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before starting, stopping or changing any treatment.
Key takeaways
- On 2026-10-06, FDA labels on DailyMed listed 12 medicines and dose forms with a weight indication, from weekly injections to a short-term pill and one over-the-counter capsule.[1]
- Average weight change in the main placebo-controlled trials ranged from about 5% (Contrave) to about 21% (Zepbound 15 mg), but the trials differ and are not head-to-head.[25]
- Qsymia and phentermine are Schedule IV controlled substances; Contrave carries a boxed warning about suicidal thoughts; the GLP-1 medicines carry a thyroid C-cell tumor boxed warning.[6]
- Weight tends to return after stopping: in STEP 4, people switched to placebo regained 6.9% while those who continued lost a further 7.9%.[26]
- Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are not FDA approved, and Ozempic, Rybelsus and Mounjaro are approved for type 2 diabetes, not weight.[35]
In short: As of October 6, 2026, the FDA labels on DailyMed list 12 medicines (counting brands and their dose forms) for weight reduction: four GLP-1-based options taken as weekly injections or daily pills (Wegovy, Wegovy HD, Wegovy tablets, Zepbound), the daily pill Foundayo, daily liraglutide injections (Saxenda and its generics), Qsymia, Contrave, orlistat (Xenical by prescription, Alli over the counter), short-term phentermine and Imcivree for rare genetic or hypothalamic obesity. They differ in how they are taken, who the label covers, side effects, warnings and price. The trial numbers below come from different studies, so this is a side-by-side, not a ranking.
Every status on this page was read from the current FDA label on DailyMed and from Drugs@FDA on October 6, 2026. If you want the deeper story of one medicine, each name links to its own page, and our medications hub explains how the groups fit together. For a two-way look at the best-known pair, see Wegovy vs Zepbound, which includes the one head-to-head trial.
The list at a glance
- 12medicines and dose forms with an FDA weight indication on DailyMedDailyMed (FDA labels)
- 7taken by mouth: Wegovy tablets, Foundayo, Qsymia, Contrave, Xenical, Alli and short-term phentermine
- 1large head-to-head trial among them (SURMOUNT-5, tirzepatide vs semaglutide)Aronne LJ et al., NEJM 2025
Checked on October 6, 2026
How to read this comparison
Each medicine was tested against a placebo in its own trials, with different people, doses and lengths of follow-up. A bigger number in one trial does not prove a medicine works better than another for you. Only head-to-head trials can say that, and few exist. We list medicines alphabetically within each group and never give an overall score.
Using this page well
- Check the label groupSome medicines are for adults only, some for teens, one for rare conditions.
- Read the trial rowNote the weeks and the placebo number, not just the headline percent.
- Look at warningsBoxed warnings and controlled-substance status matter for many people.
- Check the dated pricePrices change often; coverage changes what you pay.
- Bring questionsYour clinician weighs your history, other medicines and goals.
The labels all describe the same broad group for long-term weight medicines: adults with obesity, or adults with overweight and at least one weight-related condition, alongside a reduced-calorie diet and more physical activity. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) describes this as generally a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more, or 27 or more with a weight-related health problem. You can check your number with our BMI calculator, but only a clinician can decide whether a medicine fits you.
GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 medicines
These medicines act on gut-hormone receptors that help regulate appetite and how much people eat. Semaglutide and liraglutide are GLP-1 receptor agonists, tirzepatide acts on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, and orforglipron is a small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist taken as a pill. Our GLP-1 guide explains how they work, and semaglutide vs tirzepatide compares the two best-known molecules.
| Medicine | How it is taken | Who the label covers (weight) | Main weight trial in the label or paper | Boxed warning | First approved for weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundayo (orforglipron) | Tablet once daily, with or without food | Adults with obesity, or overweight plus a weight-related condition | Label Trial 1: -11.1% vs -2.1% with placebo at the highest dose, 72 weeks | Thyroid C-cell tumor warning (the label notes orforglipron is not active in rats or mice and did not cause rodent tumors) | April 1, 2026 |
| Saxenda and generic liraglutide | Injection once daily | Adults with obesity or overweight plus a condition; ages 12+ with obesity and body weight over 60 kg | Label: -7.4% vs -3.0%, 56-week trial | Thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents | December 23, 2014 (Saxenda) |
| Wegovy injection (semaglutide) | Injection once weekly | Adults; ages 12+ with obesity. Also heart-risk reduction and a liver (MASH) use in adults | STEP 1: -14.9% vs -2.4%, 68 weeks | Thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents | June 4, 2021 |
| Wegovy HD (semaglutide 7.2 mg) | Injection once weekly, for adults who have tolerated 2.4 mg for at least 4 weeks | Adults, weight reduction only | Label Study 8: -18.8% vs -3.9%, 72 weeks | Same as Wegovy | March 19, 2026 (new dose) |
| Wegovy tablets (oral semaglutide) | Tablet once daily, in the morning on an empty stomach with up to 4 oz of water, then a 30-minute wait | Adults; also heart-risk reduction in adults with heart disease | Label Study 7 (OASIS 4): -13.6% vs -2.4%, 64 weeks | Same as Wegovy | December 22, 2025 |
| Zepbound (tirzepatide) | Injection once weekly (pens, vials or KwikPen) | Adults; also moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity | SURMOUNT-1: -15.0% to -20.9% by dose vs -3.1%, 72 weeks | Thyroid C-cell tumors in rats | November 8, 2023 |
Labels for this group warn about pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, low blood sugar when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas, kidney injury from dehydration, allergic reactions and a risk of breathing in stomach contents under anesthesia or deep sedation. The labels say not to combine them with other GLP-1 medicines. The most common side effects are digestive: in the Wegovy 2.4 mg trials, nausea affected 44% vs 16% on placebo. In January 2026, the FDA asked makers to remove the suicidal behavior and ideation warning from Saxenda, Wegovy and Zepbound after reviewing 91 trials. Our GLP-1 side effects guide covers what to expect and when to call your clinician.
Liraglutide is now sold under generic labels too. On October 6, 2026, DailyMed listed generic liraglutide injection labels from several companies; the Teva and Cipla labels we read carry the same weight indication as Saxenda. Other liraglutide products, such as Victoza, are for type 2 diabetes.
Other prescription medicines
| Medicine | How it is taken | Who the label covers | Main weight trial in the label | Warnings to know | First approved for weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contrave (naltrexone and bupropion) | Extended-release tablets, built up over 4 weeks to twice daily | Adults with obesity, or overweight plus a condition; not approved for children | COR-I: -5.4% vs -1.3%, 56 weeks | Boxed warning: suicidal thoughts and behaviors (bupropion); seizure risk; blood pressure and heart rate | September 10, 2014 |
| Imcivree (setmelanotide) | Injection once daily | Ages 4+ with acquired hypothalamic obesity; ages 2+ with Bardet-Biedl syndrome or POMC, PCSK1 or LEPR deficiency confirmed by genetic testing | Hypothalamic obesity trial: BMI -15.84% vs +2.55% | No boxed warning; skin darkening, mood changes and other warnings | November 25, 2020 |
| Phentermine (Adipex-P, Lomaira and generics) | Tablets or capsules, short term | Short-term (a few weeks) add-on for BMI 30+, or 27+ with risk factors | Small 12-week trial: -8.1 kg vs -1.7 kg | Controlled substance (Schedule IV); not for people with heart disease or uncontrolled high blood pressure | Initial U.S. approval 1959 |
| Qsymia and generic phentermine-topiramate | Extended-release capsule once daily in the morning | Adults and ages 12+ with obesity; adults with overweight plus a condition | Study 1: -10.9% vs -1.6% at the top dose, 56 weeks | Controlled substance (Schedule IV); can harm an unborn baby (pregnancy tests and a safety program); mood and memory effects | July 17, 2012 |
| Xenical (orlistat 120 mg) | Capsule with each main meal that contains fat, up to three times a day | Obesity management with a BMI of 30+, or 27+ with risk factors; also reducing regain | Pooled 1-year trials: 13.4 lb vs 5.8 lb lost | No boxed warning; oily spotting and urgent bowel movements are common; liver injury is rare | April 23, 1999 |
Qsymia and phentermine are controlled substances because of phentermine, which is related to amphetamine. A generic version of phentermine-topiramate extended-release capsules (Teva) is listed on DailyMed with the same indication as Qsymia. Contrave contains bupropion, an antidepressant ingredient, which is why it carries its boxed warning. Our appetite suppressants guide covers these older pills in more depth.
The one over-the-counter option
Alli is orlistat at half the prescription strength (60 mg), sold without a prescription since February 7, 2007, for weight loss in overweight adults aged 18 and older together with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet. In a 16-week U.S. trial of 391 adults, people taking it lost 3.05 kg on average vs 1.90 kg with placebo. It works by blocking some fat from being absorbed, so meals high in fat bring more digestive side effects. It is the only weight-loss medicine with an FDA approval that you can buy off the shelf; supplements are not FDA approved at all, a difference our supplements guide explains.
Trial results side by side, with the caveats
| Item | Medicine | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Contrave (COR-I, 56 wk) | 5.4% | 1.3% |
| Foundayo (Trial 1, 72 wk) | 11.1% | 2.1% |
| Qsymia (Study 1, 56 wk) | 10.9% | 1.6% |
| Saxenda (label, 56 wk) | 7.4% | 3% |
| Wegovy (STEP 1, 68 wk) | 14.9% | 2.4% |
| Wegovy HD (Study 8, 72 wk) | 18.8% | 3.9% |
| Wegovy tablets (Study 7, 64 wk) | 13.6% | 2.4% |
| Zepbound 15 mg (SURMOUNT-1, 72 wk) | 20.9% | 3.1% |
Bars show average percent weight lost. Separate trials with different people, doses and lengths: not head-to-head and not a ranking.
Source: FDA labels on DailyMed (Contrave, Foundayo, Qsymia, Saxenda, Wegovy) and SURMOUNT-1 (NEJM 2022) (checked on October 6, 2026)
Two things stand out when you read the trials carefully. First, people on placebo also lost weight, because everyone got diet and activity counseling, so the gap between the bars matters more than the medicine’s number alone. Second, many people in these trials stopped treatment early; the labels report how many, and results in everyday life are often a little lower. The one large head-to-head trial in this group, SURMOUNT-5, compared tirzepatide with semaglutide; we cover it on Wegovy vs Zepbound.
Stopping matters too. When people switched from semaglutide to placebo in STEP 4 they regained weight (+6.9% vs a further -7.9% on semaglutide), and SURMOUNT-4 showed a similar pattern with tirzepatide (+14.0% on placebo vs -5.5%). Our keeping weight off guide has the habits that help whichever path you take.
Differences people often weigh
- Weekly, daily or with meals. Wegovy, Wegovy HD and Zepbound are weekly injections; Saxenda and Imcivree are daily injections; Wegovy tablets have a strict empty-stomach morning routine, while the Foundayo label allows it with or without food; orlistat is taken with fat-containing meals.
- Other approved uses. Wegovy is also approved to lower the risk of heart attack and stroke in adults with heart disease and obesity or overweight, and Zepbound to treat moderate to severe sleep apnea in adults with obesity. These can matter for coverage too.
- Age. Wegovy injection, Saxenda and Qsymia are labeled for some teens aged 12 and up; Imcivree starts at age 2 or 4 for its rare conditions; the rest are for adults.
- Pregnancy plans. Several labels say to stop when pregnancy is recognized, Qsymia requires pregnancy testing, and Zepbound and Foundayo labels advise a backup birth control method for a time after starting and after each dose increase, because they can affect birth control pills.
- Controlled-substance rules. Phentermine and Qsymia are Schedule IV, which can mean extra prescription rules.
Dated self-pay prices
These are the makers’ own self-pay or cash prices for a month, checked on October 6, 2026. They require a prescription, often exclude people with government insurance, and change often. With insurance, what you pay depends on your plan; our insurance guide and cost hub explain coverage, and Wegovy cost goes deeper on one brand.
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Foundayo tablets | $149 | $349 |
| Qsymia (home delivery) | $75 | $75 |
| Wegovy injection pens | $199 | $349 |
| Wegovy HD pens | $399 | $399 |
| Wegovy tablets | $149 | $299 |
| Zepbound KwikPen | $299 | $449 |
Wegovy pens: $199 intro price for the first two fills of the lowest doses, then $349. Qsymia: $74.99. Contrave: $99 or less through its own pharmacy. Prices change; confirm before you plan.
Source: NovoCare Pharmacy; Lilly Zepbound and Foundayo savings pages; qsymia.com (checked on October 6, 2026)
Medicare Part D cannot cover drugs used only for weight loss by law, but the CMS Medicare GLP-1 Bridge (July 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027) offers Wegovy (injection and tablets), Zepbound KwikPen and Foundayo for a $50 copay to people who meet its criteria. No official consumer price was published for Saxenda, generic liraglutide, Xenical, Alli, phentermine or Imcivree on the pages we checked, so we leave them out rather than guess.
Not on this list, and why
- Ozempic, Rybelsus and Mounjaro. They contain the same ingredients as Wegovy and Zepbound but are approved for type 2 diabetes, not weight management. See Ozempic for weight loss for what that means in practice.
- Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide. The FDA says compounded drugs are not FDA approved and are not reviewed for safety, effectiveness or quality before they are sold. Both shortages ended in 2024 and 2025. Read compounded GLP-1s before you consider one.
- Investigational medicines. CagriSema, retatrutide and others are still in trials or under FDA review and are not approved. Our emerging medications page and CagriSema explainer track them.
- Withdrawn medicines. Sibutramine (Meridia) was withdrawn in 2010 and lorcaserin (Belviq) in 2020 after safety findings. The FDA still finds sibutramine hidden in some products sold as supplements.
What this comparison cannot tell you
A table cannot weigh your other conditions, the medicines you already take, pregnancy plans, past side effects, needle comfort or what your plan covers. It also cannot replace the basics: every label pairs the medicine with a reduced-calorie diet and more activity, and protein and strength training help protect muscle while you lose weight, as our muscle loss guide explains. If you want a clinician who works with these medicines, find a provider or read about medical weight loss programs. Our 40-methods comparison puts all of these medicines next to diets, activity, programs and surgery.
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- Given my health history and other medicines, which of these groups would we consider, and which would we avoid?
- Which boxed warnings or controlled-substance rules apply to the options you would suggest?
- How would we judge whether a medicine is working, and when?
- What does my insurance cover, and what would I pay each month?
- What happens if I stop, and how do we plan for maintenance?
- How should I protect muscle with protein and strength training while I lose weight?
Frequently asked questions
How many weight-loss medications are FDA approved?
On October 6, 2026, DailyMed listed 12 medicines and dose forms with an FDA weight indication: Wegovy injection, Wegovy HD, Wegovy tablets, Zepbound, Foundayo, Saxenda and generic liraglutide, Qsymia and its generic, Contrave, Xenical, Alli (over the counter), short-term phentermine and Imcivree for rare conditions.
Which weight-loss medication is the best?
There is no single best one. Trial results differ, but so do the people studied, the warnings, the way each is taken and the cost. A clinician can weigh these against your health history and goals.
Is there an FDA-approved weight-loss pill?
Yes. Wegovy tablets (approved December 22, 2025) and Foundayo (approved April 1, 2026) are daily GLP-1 pills. Qsymia, Contrave, orlistat and phentermine are also taken by mouth.
Is Ozempic FDA approved for weight loss?
No. Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes. Wegovy contains the same ingredient, semaglutide, and is the version approved for weight management.
Are compounded GLP-1s FDA approved?
No. The FDA says compounded drugs are not FDA approved and are not reviewed for safety, effectiveness or quality before marketing.
Can I buy a weight-loss medicine without a prescription?
Only Alli (orlistat 60 mg) is FDA approved for sale over the counter. Every other medicine on this page needs a prescription.
References
- WEGOVY (semaglutide) injection and tablets: prescribing information. Novo Nordisk, via DailyMed, 2026. (accessed October 7, 2026) Drug label
- ZEPBOUND (tirzepatide) injection: prescribing information. Eli Lilly and Company, via DailyMed, 2026. (accessed October 7, 2026) Drug label
- FOUNDAYO (orforglipron) tablets: prescribing information. Eli Lilly and Company, via DailyMed, 2026. (accessed October 7, 2026) Drug label
- SAXENDA (liraglutide) injection: prescribing information. Novo Nordisk, via DailyMed, 2026. (accessed October 6, 2026) Drug label
- Liraglutide injection (Teva): prescribing information. Teva Pharmaceuticals; DailyMed (NLM), 2026. (accessed October 6, 2026) Drug label
- QSYMIA (phentermine and topiramate) extended-release capsules: prescribing information. Vivus, via DailyMed, 2026. (accessed October 6, 2026) Drug label
- Phentermine and topiramate extended-release capsules (Teva): prescribing information. Teva Pharmaceuticals; DailyMed (NLM), 2026. (accessed October 6, 2026) Drug label
- CONTRAVE (naltrexone HCl and bupropion HCl) extended-release tablets: prescribing information. Nalpropion Pharmaceuticals, via DailyMed, 2025. (accessed October 6, 2026) Drug label
- XENICAL (orlistat) capsules: prescribing information. H2-Pharma / CHEPLAPHARM, via DailyMed, 2026. (accessed October 6, 2026) Drug label
- ALLI (orlistat 60 mg) capsules: Drug Facts. Haleon, via DailyMed, 2026. (accessed October 6, 2026) Drug label
- IMCIVREE (setmelanotide) injection: prescribing information. Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, via DailyMed, 2026. (accessed October 6, 2026) Drug label
- Phentermine hydrochloride tablets: prescribing information. Via DailyMed (generic labeler), 2026. (accessed October 6, 2026) Drug label
- Drugs@FDA: Foundayo, NDA 220934. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (accessed October 7, 2026) Government page
- Drugs@FDA: Wegovy, NDA 215256, approval history. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (accessed October 7, 2026) Government page
- Drugs@FDA: Wegovy tablets, NDA 218316. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (accessed October 7, 2026) Government page
- Drugs@FDA: Zepbound, NDA 217806. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (accessed October 7, 2026) Government page
- Aronne LJ, Horn DB, le Roux CW, et al.. Tirzepatide as Compared with Semaglutide for the Treatment of Obesity (SURMOUNT-5). New England Journal of Medicine, 2025. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2416394 · PMID 40353578 · NCT05822830 (accessed October 6, 2026) Randomized trial
- Drugs@FDA: Saxenda, NDA 206321 (original approval 2014-12-23). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (accessed October 7, 2026) Government page
- Drugs@FDA: Qsymia, NDA 022580 (original approval 2012-07-17). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (accessed October 6, 2026) Government page
- Drugs@FDA: Contrave, NDA 200063 (original approval 2014-09-10). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (accessed October 6, 2026) Government page
- Drugs@FDA: Xenical, NDA 020766 (original approval 1999-04-23). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (accessed October 6, 2026) Government page
- Drugs@FDA: Alli, NDA 021887 (original approval 2007-02-07). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (accessed October 6, 2026) Government page
- Drugs@FDA: Imcivree, NDA 213793 (original approval 2020-11-25). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (accessed October 6, 2026) Government page
- Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al.. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP 1). New England Journal of Medicine, 2021. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2032183 · PMID 33567185 · NCT03548935 (accessed October 7, 2026) Randomized trial
- Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, et al.. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity (SURMOUNT-1). New England Journal of Medicine, 2022. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2206038 · PMID 35658024 · NCT04184622 (accessed October 7, 2026) Randomized trial
- Rubino D, Abrahamsson N, Davies M, et al.. Effect of Continued Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Placebo on Weight Loss Maintenance (STEP 4). JAMA, 2021. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.3224 · PMID 33755728 · NCT03548987 (accessed October 7, 2026) Randomized trial
- Aronne LJ, Sattar N, Horn DB, et al.. Continued Treatment With Tirzepatide for Maintenance of Weight Reduction in Adults With Obesity: The SURMOUNT-4 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA, 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.24945 · PMID 38078870 · NCT04660643 (accessed October 7, 2026) Randomized trial
- FDA requests removal of suicidal behavior and ideation warning from GLP-1 receptor agonist medications. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026. (accessed October 6, 2026) Government page
- Wegovy at NovoCare Pharmacy: self-pay prices. Novo Nordisk (NovoCare Pharmacy). (accessed October 7, 2026) Other
- Zepbound coverage and savings. Eli Lilly and Company. (accessed October 6, 2026) Other
- Foundayo coverage and savings. Eli Lilly and Company. (accessed October 6, 2026) Other
- Qsymia pricing and home delivery. Vivus. (accessed October 6, 2026) Other
- Contrave savings and CurAccess pharmacy. Currax Pharmaceuticals. (accessed October 6, 2026) Other
- Medicare GLP-1 Bridge: information for providers. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (accessed October 7, 2026) Government page
- FDA’s concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026. (accessed October 7, 2026) Government page
- Questions and answers about FDA’s initiative against contaminated weight loss products. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (accessed October 6, 2026) Government page
- FDA requests the withdrawal of the weight-loss drug Belviq, Belviq XR (lorcaserin) from the market. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2020. (accessed October 6, 2026) Government page
- BeSafeRx: your source for online pharmacy information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (accessed October 6, 2026) Government page
- Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight & Obesity. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIH). (accessed October 7, 2026) Government page
Facts checked on October 6, 2026
Educational information, not medical advice. Talk with a qualified healthcare professional about your own situation. In an emergency call 911.

