The landscape of obesity treatment is rapidly evolving, presenting both opportunities and challenges for individuals seeking effective weight loss solutions. With a growing number of medications available, it's essential to understand the options, their efficacy, and potential side effects. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the best diet pills for men, drawing upon the latest research and expert recommendations.
Understanding Weight Loss Medications
Before diving into specific medications, it's crucial to understand the factors that determine candidacy for weight loss drugs. Body Mass Index (BMI) is a primary indicator. People who have a BMI between 25 and 30 are considered to be overweight. Obesity is defined as having a BMI of 30 or greater. Health care professionals use BMI to help decide whether you might benefit from weight management medications. The guidelines for tirzepatide (Zepbound) and semaglutide (Wegovy) state that a patient should have a BMI of 30 or a BMI of 27 with weight-related health problems. A healthy eating plan and regular physical activity may help you lose weight and keep it off over the long term.
Weight management medications are meant to help people who have health problems related to overweight or obesity. When combined with lifestyle and behavior changes, including healthy eating and increased physical activity, prescription medications help some people lose weight and maintain weight loss. On average, after 1 year, adults who take prescription medications as part of a lifestyle program lose 3% to 12% more of their starting body weight than people in a lifestyle program who do not take medication.
The average weight loss varies from 5% to 21%, with some people losing more and some people losing less. Most people regain weight if AOMs are discontinued.
A treatment plan for obesity can comprise multiple forms of treatment, including medications, diet, exercise, and/or surgery. All weight loss medications work best in the context of a healthy eating plan and exercise.
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For each individual case, the doctor and patient should discuss the patient’s current health issues, other medications, and family medical history. It's also important to manage expectations, as the effectiveness of weight loss medications varies from person to person.
FDA-Approved Medications for Long-Term Use
Several medications are approved by the FDA for long-term weight management:
Orlistat (Xenical, Alli)
Orlistat is a lipase inhibitor that prevents the absorption of about 25% of the fat you eat. It is available in both prescription (Xenical) and over-the-counter (Alli) formulations.
Alli (pronounced AL-eye) is an over-the-counter drug meant for overweight adults struggling to shed excess pounds. Alli is a 60-milligram, over-the-counter version of orlistat (Xenical), a 120-milligram prescription drug. Food and Drug Administration for use in adults 18 and older who have a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or more. Xenical is approved for use in adults with a BMI of 30 or more (obese). The FDA published a safety review of orlistat in 2010 because of rare reports of serious liver injury in people using it. However, Alli and Xenical labels were revised because of the reports.
Lipase, an enzyme found in the digestive tract, helps break down dietary fat into smaller parts, so it can be used or stored for energy. Orlistat blocks the work of lipase. When you take the drug with a meal, about 25% of the fat you eat isn't broken down.
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Some patients may lose about 5% of their body weight.
You take one 60-milligram Alli pill within an hour of a fat-containing meal up to three times a day. You should spread your daily fat intake over the three main meals. Fat intake should be no more than 30% of total calories. If you eat a meal that has no fat, then you don't need a dose of Alli.
Alli can reduce the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients, including beta carotene and vitamins A, D, E and K. Take a multivitamin at least two hours after your last dose of Alli.
The active ingredient in Alli, orlistat, causes digestive side effects related to undigested fats passing through your digestive system. They generally lessen over time and with proper use of the drug.
Phentermine-Topiramate (Qsymia)
Topiramate can be combined with phentermine to decrease appetite and cravings. Phentermine is the oldest and most widely used weight loss medication. It was originally used as a short-term medication to jump-start weight loss, but now newer medical guidelines have added it to long-term therapy.
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Adults with migraines and obesity are good candidates for this weight-loss medication. Some patients may lose an average of 5-10% of body weight.
Daily doses with four strengths start at 3.75 mg/23 mg to 15 mg/92 mg.
Side effects include headache, overstimulation, high blood pressure, insomnia, rapid or irregular heart rate, and tremor. Side effects include abnormal sensations, dizziness, altered taste, insomnia, constipation, and dry mouth.
Naltrexone-Bupropion (Contrave)
Naltrexone-bupropion combines an opioid receptor antagonist with an antidepressant to affect the pleasure-reward areas of the brain and thereby decrease cravings and appetite.
Start with a daily dose of one 8/90 mg tablet and gradually increase to four tablets a day. The most common side effects include nausea, constipation, headache, vomiting, dizziness, insomnia, dry mouth, and diarrhea.
Liraglutide (Saxenda)
Liraglutide is a daily injectable medication that acts on hormones that send signals from the gut to the brain to make the patient feel full quicker and decrease hunger signals.
Doses start at 0.6 mg to 3 mg a day. Some patients may lose 5-10% of body weight, especially with the higher dose of liraglutide. Liraglutide is also approved for Type 2 Diabetes, under the brand name Victoza.
Side effects include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, headache, decreased appetite, dyspepsia, fatigue, dizziness, abdominal pain, increased lipase, and renal insufficiency.
Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic)
Wegovy is a brand name for semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It was FDA-approved in 2021. It is administered as an injection and approved for use in adults and children aged 12 years or more with obesity (BMI ≥30 for adults, BMI ≥ 95th percentile for age and sex for children) or some adults with excess weight (BMI ≥27) who also have weight-related medical problems.
The dose must be increased gradually over 16 to 20 weeks to arrive at the 2.4 mg dosage. This progression can help to alleviate side effects, which include gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, dizziness, and fatigue. It is intended to be used indefinitely, in combination with a healthy diet and exercise.
Tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro)
Zepbound is approved to treat obesity in adults with a BMI of 30 or greater. It is both a GLP-1 and a GIP receptor agonist.
In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, adults with obesity or overweight (without diabetes) taking tirzepatide achieved up to 22.5% average body weight reduction at 72 weeks. Tirzepatide is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist that suppresses appetite, improves satiety, and supports metabolic health. In addition to impressive weight loss, studies show improvements in cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic markers.
Like semaglutide, it works by reducing appetite and is meant to be used in combination with diet and exercise to lose weight.
Emerging Medications and Future Trends
The field of weight loss medications is dynamic, with ongoing research and development of new treatments. Pharmaceutical platform Ozmosi predicts one to two GLP-1 launches annually starting in 2026. specifically for obesity. Lilly is developing at least two new options. The first, orforglipron, is an oral GLP-1 inhibitor that completed a Phase 3 clinical trial in early 2025. It could provide a welcome alternative for people who do not want injections. Phase 3 results expected soon. at 36 weeks. The other, retatrutide, targets GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon. At this writing, it is in Phase 3 clinical trials. In Phase 2, participants lost up to 24.2% of body weight at 48 weeks. Amgen is developing MariTide, a monoclonal antibody designed to increase GLP-1 receptor activity while reducing GIP receptor activity. The once-monthly injection entered Phase 3 clinical trials in March 2025.
Considerations and Precautions
Choosing a medication to treat overweight or obesity is a decision between you and your health care professional.
Weight management medications aren’t for everyone with a high BMI. If you are overweight or have obesity, you might be able to lose weight with a lifestyle program that changes your behaviors and improves your eating and physical activity habits. Medications don’t replace physical activity or healthy eating habits as a way to lose weight. Studies show that weight management medications work best when combined with a lifestyle program.
Possible side effects vary by medication and how it acts on your body. Most side effects are mild and most often improve if you continue to take the medication.
If you have lost enough weight to improve your health and are not experiencing serious side effects, your health care professional may advise you to stay on the medication indefinitely. If you do not lose at least 5% of your starting weight after 12 weeks on the full dose of your medication, your health care professional will probably advise you to stop taking it. You probably will regain some weight after you stop taking weight management medication.
Weight-loss medications may have harmful interactions with other medications you are taking. Discuss any prescribed medications, over-the-counter medications, or herbal products you take. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you should not take weight-loss medications, as they may harm the fetus. They can also interfere with hormonal birth control.
Some online healthcare providers claim to sell Ozempic, Wegovy, or Zepbound at reduced prices. However, the FDA warns against buying medications from any source other than a state-licensed pharmacy. In April 2025, they banned the sale of “counterfeit” semaglutide and tirzepatide. These medications are not made or packaged by the original manufacturers. Instead, they are compounded medications. Compounded versions of medications are made by compounding pharmacies, often to tailor a medication to specific patient needs, like an allergy to an inactive ingredient. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. Some patients have taken these alternatives, which are generally more affordable, without ill effects. has received 520 reports of adverse events associated with compounded semaglutide and 480 reports of adverse events associated with compounded tirzepatide (as of April 30, 2025).
The Role of Lifestyle Changes
Medications don’t replace physical activity or healthy eating habits as a way to lose weight. Studies show that weight management medications work best when combined with a lifestyle program.
Weight loss of 5% to 10% of your starting body weight may help improve your health by lowering blood sugar, blood pressure, and triglyceride levels. Losing weight also can improve some other health problems related to overweight and obesity, such as joint pain and sleep apnea.
Federal physical activity guidelines (PDF, 14.5 MB) recommend at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity and at least 2 days a week of muscle-strengthening activities.
Diet and Weight Management Supplements
Diet and Weight Management SupplementsWeight loss pills alone are usually not enough to help you accomplish your weight loss goals. Combine your weight management supplements with a healthy diet rich in low-fat dairy products, lean meat and fresh produce. If a hectic schedule makes it tempting to grab unhealthy meals on the go, pack a few meal replacement bars in your purse, briefcase or backpack. These help fight hunger pangs and allow you to fill your body with vitamins and nutrients rather than trans fats and high fructose corn syrup. Don't forget to drink plenty of water each day.
Exercise and Weight Loss
Some weight loss pills claim that exercise isn't important, but don't give up your favorite fitness routine just yet. Dietary supplements might help you lose those last few stubborn pounds, but specialty supplements usually don't tighten and tone your body the way a good workout can. If you find that weight loss pills aren't giving you the body you want, incorporate exercise into your routine several times a week. Walgreens.com has several weight loss DVDs available if you need ideas for your next workout. Exercise Bikes and other exercise equipment is also available at Walgreens.com.