Compare Weight Loss Medication

How do weight loss treatments work?

Weight loss treatments such as Xenical, Orlistat, and Alli work by effectively creating a barrier that stops fat from being absorbed into your intestines; this fat is passed naturally, which encourages weight loss in the process.

The active ingredients in Mysimba work differently and instead act on the brain. Bupropion works to reduce your appetite and Naltrexone helps to curb food cravings so that you don’t feel the urge to eat as often.

What do diet pills do?

When diet pills are used as part of a healthy diet and exercise programme they can have a positive effect on weight loss. However, it’s not just a case of popping a pill and carrying on regardless, the user will also have to follow a diet plan to help them achieve the best results with the least amount of side effects.

When you decide to embark on a weight loss journey supported by weight loss pills your clinician will outline details of a calorie-controlled diet and a regular exercise plan. Following these instructions will help you achieve your weight loss goals. It’s recommended you speak to your physician before taking part in a high-intensity exercise programme.

Do weight loss treatments work?

Licensed medicines like Mysimba and Orlistat have shown to be effective in aiding weight loss, as long as they’re used alongside a calorie controlled diet and exercise. However, how effective different weight loss medications are isn’t always directly comparable, because efficacy isn’t always measured in the same way.

Looking at the data available:

Clinical data for Alli found that an average of 46.7 percent of participants lost more than five percent of their weight, compared to 26.4 percent on the placebo, when taking it for six months.

For Orlistat, 37 percent of study participants lost at least five percent of their body weight, compared with 19 percent of those taking the placebo, when taking it for 12 weeks.

For Mysimba, 31 percent of participants observed a weight loss of five percent or greater, compared to the placebo group at 12 percent, when taking it for 56 weeks.

For Saxenda, 63.5 percent of study participants lost at least five percent of their body weight, compared to 26.6 percent in the placebo group, when taking it for 56 weeks.

Efficacy rates are a factor in what treatment you use, but they don’t necessarily decide which is best for you. One particular medicine might be better for you based on how much weight you aim to lose, or your medical history. So it’s always worth getting professional advice.

There is no magical weight loss treatment that works overnight, however, if you follow the advice offered by your prescriber, and are determined to stick to your diet and exercise plan, then there are treatments that work. There are some BMI boundaries that must be adhered to and, as previously mentioned, not all diet pills will work for everyone, but there are slimming pills that work in partnership with a diet and exercise programme to help you lose weight.

Xenical (Orlistat) - pros and cons

Clinical trials have found that following 56 weeks of treatment participants using orlistat were found to have an eight percent weight loss, versus four percent in the placebo group. However, the clinical trials also revealed that some people experience unpleasant side effects, such as fatty stools or flatulence. As Xenical is taken orally it may be favoured by users who aren’t keen on regular injections, like those used by Saxenda and Victoza which have to be regularly injected and first demonstrated by a medical professional.

Alli - pros and cons

One of the advantages of Alli is that it is available without prescription, you will still need to speak to a pharmacist before they can provide you with the treatment, but the simpler access can be viewed as a benefit to some people. Clinical trials have proven that Alli is only marginally effective in comparison to various other weight loss treatments as it is given at a lower dose. Both Xenical and Orlistat are administered in larger doses and so are often more effective at reducing weight. Alli might be more suitable for those who wish to lose a smaller amount of weight. Clinical trials have also revealed that taking Alli can result in uncomfortable side effects such as uncontrollable bowel movements, oily discharge, and gas from the anus.

Saxenda - pros and cons

The active ingredient in Saxenda, liraglutide, helped trial participants consistently lose at least five to 10 percent of weight when compared to placebo. It also regulates your hunger and fullness, and stabilises your blood sugar. This can make you feel less cravings and give you better control over your eating habits. However, Saxenda is a prescription injection treatment that requires an initial demonstration by a healthcare professional. Regular injections may be off-putting to some patients. The most common side effects included nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting.

Litramine/XLS-Medical - pros and cons

Litramine is perhaps viewed as a more gentle weight loss treatment as it can be ingested via tea, sachet, or tablet. Side effects from Litramine are mild if they occur at all. Litramine attaches itself to fat in the body and stops the fat being absorbed by the intestines. Clinical trials found it to absorb as much as 27% of dietary fats. Available without prescription.

Mounjaro - pros and cons

Mounjaro is a weekly weight loss injection that was originally intended to be a diabetes treatment. In the UK, it can be used for weight loss if your BMI is over 30, or if it’s over 27 and you have a weight-related condition like diabetes.

It's a pen treatment that comes pre-filled. It contains tirzepatide, a GLP-1 agonist. GLP-1 is a hormone made by your body, which plays a role in controlling your appetite. GLP-1 agonists work by mimicking the effects of this hormone, and help you feel full.

Like other weight loss treatments, the pens are used alongside regular exercise and healthy eating. In trials that compared Mounjaro with a placebo, it was shown to help between 89-91% of patients lose more than 5% of their weight.

Mounjaro can sometimes cause nausea, which might put some people off using it. The side effects should usually settle as you get used to using it, though.

Wegovy - pros and cons

Wegovy also boasts the appeal of being a once weekly injection for weight loss. Although, the idea of self administering an injection can put some people off. The clinical trial results for Wegovy show that people lose more weight using semaglutide than when using liraglutide. Most side effects associated with Wegovy are gastrointestinal in nature, although headaches, tiredness and dizziness were also recorded. In most cases the side effects settled down quickly and didn’t stop patients from continuing with their treatment.

Mysimba - pros and cons

Mysimba will usually make you eat less food, which can cut out overeating habits and reduce your appetite. It’s also very effective. In a trial involving 1742 people, the Mysimba group lost 6.1% of their body fat, compared with 1.3% of the placebo group. There is, however, a higher risk of side effects than there is with some other weight loss treatments, and you’ll need a prescription for it before you can buy and take it.