Which weight loss drugs are approved for long-term use?

This question comes up once someone learns that weight-loss drugs come in more than one kind. The answer here is a short, named list.

The approved list

According to the NIDDK, the FDA has approved six of these drugs for long-term use: orlistat, phentermine-topiramate, naltrexone-bupropion, liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide.

Count them against what you have heard. If a drug you were offered is not on that list, ask what its approval status is and what it is approved for.

When a start date is close

It arises at the decision point, when a prescription is on the table and the next question is how long the commitment lasts. Long-term approval bears on that second question, which is why this list matters before a start date is set.

The NIDDK overview of prescription medications for overweight and obesity is the source of the list above, and the MedlinePlus weight control page gives wider context.

Choosing among the six

Next is choosing among the drugs with a prescriber, who can match the list to your history. Bring the names and ask which one fits and what a long-term plan would look like.

An offer from outside the list

A drug that is not an approved one is the sign. Read what the FDA says about its concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss. If you are offered something outside the list, pause and ask for the source and the approval before going on.