April 26, 2024 – before it even existed Ozempic, Wegovy, or Zepbound, there were weight loss drugs that were cost-friendly, safe, and effective. FDA-approved obesity drugs like orlistat (trade name: xenical), phentermine/topiramate (Kushmia), and naltrexone/bupropion extended release (Contrave) has been on the market for decades.
„Some of the older obesity drugs date back to the '50s and '60s, like phentermine, which is still one of the most widely prescribed drugs in the world.“ Ascension Illinois Weight Loss Solutions said Dr. Anthony Auriemma, medical director of the company. .
While it's new GLP-1 medicine like Semaglutide (Ozempic, wegobee) often lead to greater weight loss, but the advantages of more established drugs (such as lower cost, plentiful supply, and ease of access) also make them valuable options, says Mayo Clinic Obesity said expert Dr. Andres Acosta.
„Many people say GLP-1 is the first drug to produce double-digit weight loss,“ he says. „That's not true. Qsymia has already given him double-digit numbers, with medium doses giving him 11% (total weight loss) and high doses giving him 13%.“
Two cheaper and more effective drugs, Contrave (approximately 9%) and Xenical (5% to 6%), also cause less weight loss.
Auriemma said some patients can get pharmaceutical coupons for Qsymia and Contrave for as low as $100 a month, and generic phentermine for as low as $20 a month. Xenical can be purchased for $200 to $300 per month. Compare these costs to GLP-1s like Ozempic, which can cost a minimum of $500 per month and up to several thousand dollars.
Independent evaluation The Institute for Clinical and Economic Reviews found that Qsymia was the most cost-effective drug among semaglutide and other obesity drugs that came before it. John Amos, CEO of VIVUS, the pharmaceutical company that developed Qsymia, said Qsymia's „dual mechanism“ suppresses appetite in the morning, and its slow-release feature keeps you feeling full into the afternoon, reducing snacking and over-eating. This means fewer calories.
Another important difference between older obesity drugs and newer GLP-1 is that the former is taken orally, whereas the latter is taken by injection.
„The really good thing about older drugs like Phentermine, Contrave, and Kushmia is that most of them avoid side effects such as: Stomach Concerned side effects that are often heard with GLP-1 preparations. nausea, vomitingthere is also a story. gastroparesisor gastroparesis,” Auriemma said.
Keep in mind: Some patients need to take bariatric drugs for long periods of time, making it even more important to look for cost-friendly drugs. Obesity drugs are also not a „panacea“ because our bodies do not respond the same way to drugs, and not everyone has similar eating habits or lifestyles. It is also important to remember that there is no Therefore, current trends or waves of popularity should not be the decision maker when considering drugs. Auriemma said if there are obesity drugs, talk to your doctor about which ones are right for you.
„If you can't afford GLP-1, if it's not covered by insurance, or if you don't have access to it, there are other options that are already FDA-approved,“ Acosta said. “Once you do the cost-outcome mapping, other drugs, especially phentermine/topiramate, are the most cost-effective.”