Medications for Obesity Physician Resources Patient Information Health Policy Medications for Obesity Obesity is a chronic disease that requires long term treatment. For successful long term weight loss, the medications must be combined with changes in diet and physical activity. The table below lists the medications approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for short-term use in the treatment of obesity.
Side effects vary from person to person.
Minor side effects are gnerally mild and transient, while major side effects are rare and typically only occur with long-term use. It is important to discuss with your physician your personal risk for major side effects before taking any weight loss drugs, whether prescription or over the counter. Minor side effects include insomnia, dizziness, anxiety, palpitations, tachycardia, nausea, vomiting. Major side effects include convulsions, chest pain, hypertension, shortness of breath, and cardiac dysrhythmias. These drugs were already known to increase risk of primary pulmonary hypertension, a potentially life-threatening condition with shortness of breath, fatigue, and dizziness as symptoms.