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Weight ManagementWeight Management

This category covers medicines that support weight loss in people who meet medical criteria. They work alongside changes to diet and activity, not instead of them. These are prescription treatments assessed against medical criteria, and they work with sustained changes to eating and activity rather than in place of them.

Rybelsus

Semaglutide

3 · 7 · 14mg

Semaglutide 3mg, 7mg and 14mg tablets, used in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. A GLP-1 receptor agonist taken by mouth, not injected.

From$15.72/ tabletView

Xenical

Orlistat

60 · 120mg

Orlistat 60mg and 120mg hard capsules, used in the management of obesity and overweight. A lipase inhibitor acting in the gut, not on the brain.

From$0.81/ tabletView

Contrave

Bupropion, Naltrexone

8/90mg

Contrave pairs bupropion with naltrexone in a prolonged-release tablet for obesity, acting on the appetite and reward centres of the brain.

From$2.11/ tabletView

Clenbuterol Tablets

Clenbuterol

40 · 60mcg

Clenbuterol 40mcg and 60mcg tablets, a selective beta-2 adrenoceptor agonist. Stimulating those receptors relaxes the smooth muscle of the airways.

From$1.17/ tabletView

Key points

  • These medicines are for people who meet medical criteria, alongside changes to diet and activity rather than instead of them.
  • The mechanisms differ sharply: one reduces appetite centrally, the other reduces fat absorption in the gut.
  • Effects continue only while treatment does, so stopping is planned as part of the approach.

Classes and ingredients in this category

  • GLP-1 treatment semaglutide reduces appetite and supports steady weight loss.
  • Fat absorption is reduced by orlistat.

Conditions it covers

These medicines are used for obesity and weight-related type 2 diabetes mellitus. Assessment covers weight-related conditions as well as weight itself, which is what NIDDK sets out for prescription options.

Further reading

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