April 26, 2024 – Earlier than ozone, Wegovy or Zepbound, all have inexpensive, secure and efficient weight reduction drugs. FDA-approved weight problems medicine resembling orlistat (commerce identify: Xenical), phentermine/topiramate (Quasimia) and naltrexone/bupropion extended-release (Contravi) has been available on the market for many years.
“A few of the older weight problems drugs date again to the Nineteen Fifties and Sixties, resembling phentermine, which stays probably the most extensively prescribed drugs on the planet,” says Anthony Auriemma, MD, medical director of Ascension Weight Loss Options in Illinois. .
Though newer GLP-1 Related medicine Semaglutide (ozone, wiggs) sometimes result in higher weight reduction, however the advantages of extra established medicine—resembling decrease price, plentiful provide, and ease of entry—additionally make them invaluable choices, stated Andersen, an weight problems skilled on the Mayo Clinic. says Rez Acosta, MD.
“Many individuals say that GLP-1 is the primary drug that may obtain double-digit weight reduction,” he stated. “That is not true. Qsymia is already in double digits, offer you 11% [of total body weight loss] It’s 13% on the medium dose and 13% on the excessive dose.
Two low-cost and efficient drugs can obtain decrease ranges of weight reduction: Contrave (about 9 p.c) and Xenical (5 to six p.c).
Some sufferers can get drugmaker coupons for as little as $100 a month for Qsymia and Contrave, and for generic phentermine for as little as $20 a month, Auriemma stated. You should buy Xenical for $200 to $300 a month. Evaluate these prices to a GLP-1 resembling Ozempic, which might price you at the very least $500 per thirty days, all the way in which as much as hundreds of {dollars}.
An impartial Consider The Institute for Medical and Financial Overview discovered that Qsymia was probably the most cost-effective drug amongst semaglutide and different weight problems medicine earlier than it. John Amos, CEO of VIVUS, the pharmaceutical firm behind Qsymia, stated Qsymia’s “twin mechanism” suppresses your urge for food within the morning, whereas its extended-release perform retains you full within the afternoon, which implies In the reduction of on snacks and extra energy.
One other main distinction between the older weight problems drug and the newer GLP-1 is that the previous is run orally, whereas the latter is run by injection.
“The true advantage of older medicine like Phentermine, Contrave or Qsymia is that almost all of them keep away from loads of gastrointestinal tract GLP-1 drug unwanted effects you have got heard about, points that folks typically fear about nausea, Vomitand a few discuss Gastroparesisor gastric paralysis,” Auriemma stated.
Bear in mind: Some sufferers could have to take weight problems drugs for longer, which makes discovering lower-cost drugs much more vital. It is also vital to keep in mind that weight problems drugs aren’t “one dimension suits all” as a result of our our bodies do not reply to drugs in the identical means, and so do our consuming habits and existence. Due to this fact, present fads or standard waves shouldn’t be the decision-maker when contemplating drugs. Discuss to your physician to search out out which weight reduction treatment, if any, is best for you, Auriemma says.
“If you cannot afford GLP-1s, your insurance coverage would not wish to cowl them, or you’ll be able to’t get them, there are different choices which might be already FDA-approved,” Acosta stated. “Once we mapped prices and outcomes, different medicine, significantly phentermine/topiramate, emerged as probably the most cost-effective medicine.”
