A clear, side‑by‑side comparison of Xenical (Orlistat) with top weight‑loss alternatives, covering how they work, effectiveness, safety, cost and when to choose each.
Prescription Weight Loss: What Works, What Doesn’t, and How to Stay Safe
When people talk about prescription weight loss, medications approved by health authorities to help adults with obesity or overweight lose weight when diet and exercise alone aren’t enough. Also known as anti-obesity drugs, these aren’t magic pills—they’re tools meant to support real lifestyle changes, not replace them. Unlike over-the-counter supplements with wild claims, these drugs go through strict testing. The FDA only approves them after showing they can help people lose a meaningful amount of weight without major safety risks.
Most prescription weight loss drugs fall into a few clear categories. Some, like phentermine, work by reducing appetite. Others, like semaglutide and liraglutide, slow digestion and help your brain feel full faster. Then there’s orlistat, which blocks fat absorption in your gut. Each has different side effects, costs, and who it’s best for. For example, semaglutide works well for people with type 2 diabetes too, while orlistat can cause oily stools if you eat too much fat.
These drugs aren’t for everyone. Doctors usually only prescribe them if your BMI is 30 or higher, or 27 with other health problems like high blood pressure or sleep apnea. They’re not for teenagers, pregnant women, or people with certain heart or thyroid conditions. And they don’t work if you go back to old eating habits after stopping. The best results come when you combine them with regular movement, better sleep, and mindful eating.
There’s a lot of noise out there—blogs promising 20-pound losses in a week, shady websites selling "generic" versions without prescriptions. Real prescription weight loss means seeing a doctor, getting tested, and following a plan. It’s not about quick fixes. It’s about managing a chronic condition, just like you would with high blood pressure or cholesterol. The medications below are part of a bigger picture: your health, your habits, and your long-term goals.
What you’ll find in the articles below are real comparisons of the most common options, how they stack up against each other, what people actually experience, and how to avoid scams. No fluff. No hype. Just clear, practical info to help you make smarter choices—if you’re considering this path.