Table 4.
Weight loss medications
| Generic drug | Drug dosage | Average weight loss | Side effects | Dea schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pancreatic lipase inhibitor | ||||
| Orlistat | 120 mg tid before meal | 3.4 KG | Steatorrhea, flatulence, fecal discharge | Not scheduled |
| Orlistat | 60 mg tid before meal | 2.5 KG | Steatorrhea, flatulence, fecal discharge | Not scheduled |
| Seotonin receptor agonist | ||||
| Lorcaserin | 10 mg bid for 12 months | 3.2 KG | Headache, nausea, blurred vision, hypoglycemia | Schedule IV |
| Phentermine-topiramate | ||||
| Phentermine-topiramate | 3.75/23 mg, 7.5/46 mg, 15/92 mg for 12 months | 6.7-8.9 KG | Insomnia, confusion, dry mouth, nausea, paresthesias | Schedule IV |
| Adrenergic drugs | ||||
| Diethlypropion | 25 mg tid or 75 mg in am for <12 weeks | 3 KG | Insomnia, headache, nausea | Schedule IV |
| Phentermine | 15-30 mg/day for <12 weeks | 3.6 KG | Headache, dry mouth, itching | Schedule IV |
| Benzphetamine | 25-50 mg tid for <12 weeks | 3-4 KG | Insomina, dizziness, hyperactivity | Schedule III |
| Phendimetrazine | 17.5-70 mg tid for <12 weeks | 3.8 KG | Dizziness, flushing, sweating | Schedule III |
| Glucagon like peptide analogs | ||||
| Liraglutide | 0.6-3.0 mg sq <12 months | 5.85 KG | Pancreatitis, hypoglycemia, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, contraindicated in medullary thyroid cancer | Not scheduled |
| Semaglutide | 1 to 2.4 mg sq weekly for ≥20 weeks | Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, dyspepsia, dizziness, abdominal distension, eructation, flatulence, gastroenteritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease | Not scheduled | |
| Opioid receptor antagonist-adrenergic reuptake inhibitor | ||||
| Naltrexone-bupropion | 8/90-16/180 mg bid<12 months | 2.0-4 KG | Mood changes, blurred vision, dry mouth, constipation, seizures | Not scheduled |
This table contains weight loss medications currently available. Full drug information should be carefully reviewed with and individualized for each patient prior to prescription and administration. Weight loss medication should not be administered to pregnant females or females who breast feed their infants. Liraglutide or Semaglutide should not be prescribed in individuals with medullary thyroid cancer or family history of medullary thyroid cancer. The effect of weight loss medications on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality has not been definitively established. MEN2 = Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2.