MEDICINE	Est. Weight Loss	Advantages	Disadvantages	Common Side Effects	Rare Side Effects
ORLISTAT PILL	Average weight loss of 5-10% of body weight over a year when combined with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet and regular physical activity	Clinically proven to aid in weight loss Reduces absorption of dietary fat by about 30% Can improve risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes	Gastrointestinal side effects can be uncomfortable Requires adherence to a low-fat diet to minimize side effects Potential for rare but serious side effects	Oily or fatty stools (20-30%) Increased defecation (22%) Flatulence with discharge (24%) Oily spotting (27%) Abdominal pain or discomfort (9%)	Severe liver injury (<0.5%) Kidney stones (<0.1%) Allergic reactions (rash, itching, difficulty breathing) (<0.1%) Severe abdominal pain (<0.1%)
BUPROPION PILL	Average weight loss of 2-5% of body weight over a year, varies depending on individual response and lifestyle changes	Can aid in weight loss, especially in patients with depressive symptoms or those who are quitting smoking Does not cause sexual dysfunction, which is common with other antidepressants May improve mood and aid smoking cessation	Risk of seizures, especially at higher doses or in predisposed individuals Common side effects like insomnia and dry mouth can be bothersome May increase blood pressure; regular monitoring needed	Dry mouth (10-28%) Insomnia (11-20%) Headache (25%) Nausea (13%) Constipation (8-10%)	Seizures (0.1%) Severe allergic reactions (rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing) (rare but precise percentage not well-documented)
OZEMPIC INJECTION	Average weight loss of around 5-10% of body weight over 6-12 months, potentially higher in some individuals when combined with lifestyle changes	Effective for weight loss and improving blood sugar control Reduces risk factors for cardiovascular diseases Once-weekly dosing for convenience	Gastrointestinal side effects can be significant Requires careful monitoring for rare but serious side effects High cost	Nausea (15-20%) Vomiting (5-10%) Diarrhea (8-12%) Abdominal pain (5-8%) Constipation (3-5%)	Pancreatitis (<0.1%) Thyroid tumors, including cancer (<0.1%) Kidney problems (<0.1%) Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis, angioedema) (<0.1%)
VICTOZA	Average weight loss of 5-7% of body weight over 6 months to a year, with some individuals experiencing greater losses when combined with lifestyle changes	Effective for weight loss and blood sugar control Reduces risk factors for cardiovascular diseases Daily dosing can be convenient for some users	High incidence of gastrointestinal side effects Requires gradual dose escalation to mitigate side effects High cost	Nausea (28-40%) Diarrhea (10-20%) Vomiting (10-15%) Constipation (5-10%) Headache (10-14%)	Pancreatitis (<0.1%) Gallbladder problems, including gallstones (<0.5%) Kidney injury (<0.1%) Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) (<0.1%)
MOUNJARO	Average weight loss of 15-22.5% of body weight over 72 weeks, with some individuals experiencing greater losses when combined with lifestyle changes	Significant weight loss potential Improves blood sugar control and reduces cardiovascular risk factors Once-weekly dosing for convenience	High incidence of gastrointestinal side effects Requires gradual dose escalation to mitigate side effects High cost	Nausea (20-40%) Diarrhea (18-23%) Vomiting (10-18%)- Constipation (10-16%) Decreased appetite (10-15%)	Pancreatitis (<0.1%) Gallbladder problems, including gallstones (<0.5%) Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) (<0.1%) Kidney problems (<0.1%)
INTRAGASTRIC BALLOON	Average weight loss of 10-15% of excess body weight within the first six months, with potential for additional weight loss when combined with lifestyle changes.	Less invasive than surgical procedures like gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy Temporary and reversible option Promotes significant weight loss with lifestyle modifications	Temporary nature of weight loss; balloon removal may lead to weight regain Potential for side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and reflux Requires lifestyle changes for sustained results	Nausea and vomiting (30-50%) Abdominal discomfort or pain (20-30%) Gastroesophageal reflux (10-20%) Gastric ulcers (5-10%)	Balloon migration or deflation (<1%) Gastric perforation (<1%) Bowel obstruction (<1%) Pancreatitis (<1%)

SURGICAL	Est. Weight Loss	Advantages	Disadvantages	Common Side Effects	Rare Side Effects
GASTRIC BYPASS	Average weight loss of 60-80% of excess body weight within the first year, with continued weight loss over the following years.	Significant and sustained weight loss Improvement or resolution of obesity-related conditions (diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, etc.) Long-term effectiveness compared to non-surgical methods	Potential for complications such as infection and blood clots Risk of nutritional deficiencies requiring lifelong supplementation Invasive surgery with associated risks and recovery time	Nausea and vomiting (20-30%) Dumping syndrome (early and late) (30-50%) Nutritional deficiencies (iron, vitamin B12, calcium, etc.) (common but varied)	Infection (<1%) Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism) (<1%) Hernias (<1%) Leakage at surgical connections (<1%)
ENDOSCOPIC GASTRIC SLEEVE	Average weight loss of 15-20% of excess body weight within the first year, with continued weight loss over the following years.	Less invasive Shorter recovery time and hospital stay Effective weight loss with improvement in obesity-related health conditions	Potential for complications such as bleeding, infection, or injury during the procedure Risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) worsening or developing	Nausea and vomiting (20-30%) Abdominal pain and discomfort (10-20%) Gastroesophageal reflux (10-15%) Diarrhea (5-10%)	Bleeding (<1%) Infection (<1%) Perforation or injury to nearby organs (<1%) Development of strictures or narrowing of the stomach (<1%)
LAPAROSCOPIC SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY	Average weight loss of 50-60% of excess body weight within the first year, with continued weight loss over the following years.	Significant and sustained weight loss Improvement or resolution of obesity-related comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, etc.) Fewer restrictions on diet compared to gastric bypass surgery	Potential for complications such as bleeding, infection, or staple line leaks Risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) worsening or developing Irreversible procedure with potential long-term nutritional deficiencies	Nausea and vomiting (20-30%) Abdominal pain and discomfort (10-20%) Gastroesophageal reflux (10-15%) Diarrhea (5-10%)	Bleeding (<1%) Infection (<1%) Leakage from staple line (<1%) Development of strictures or narrowing of the stomach (<1%)