Prescription Weight Loss Medications and Very Low-Calorie Diets for Fast Weight Loss in NYC
W8MD Weight Loss, Sleep & MedSpa helps patients in New York City, Brooklyn, Philadelphia and nearby areas compare current FDA-approved prescription weight-loss medications, GLP-1 injections, oral GLP-1 tablets, traditional diet pills, meal replacements, very low-calorie diets, sleep apnea screening and long-term maintenance care.
- Wegovy, Zepbound, Saxenda and other GLP-1 options
- Wegovy pill, Foundayo and other oral options
- Contrave, Qsymia, orlistat and short-term appetite suppressants
- Very low-calorie diets and meal replacements
- Sleep apnea screening and home sleep studies
- Maintenance plan to help keep weight off
Prescription weight-loss medications are no longer one-size-fits-all
Medical weight loss has changed dramatically. Today, patients may have access to GLP-1 injections, dual GIP/GLP-1 medications, oral GLP-1 tablets, traditional appetite and craving medications, fat-absorption blockers, rare genetic obesity treatments, short-term appetite suppressants, meal replacements and very low-calorie diets.
W8MD helps patients avoid guesswork. Our physicians review weight history, medications, blood pressure, blood sugar risk, sleep apnea symptoms, appetite, food noise, pregnancy status, side-effect risk, insurance coverage and budget before recommending the safest and most realistic option.
- Compare FDA-approved chronic weight-management medications
- Review short-term prescription appetite suppressants when appropriate
- Use very low-calorie diets and meal replacements under medical supervision
- Evaluate sleep apnea, fatigue and insulin resistance as barriers to weight loss
- Build a maintenance plan before weight regain begins
Long-term prescription weight-loss medications
These medications are used for chronic weight management in appropriate patients, usually with reduced-calorie diet, increased physical activity and medical supervision.
Wegovy injection
Wegovy is semaglutide, a weekly GLP-1 medication for chronic weight management in eligible patients.
- Weekly injection
- May reduce hunger and food noise
- Requires dose escalation and monitoring
Wegovy tablets
Oral semaglutide tablets offer a non-injection GLP-1 option for selected adults when available and medically appropriate.
- Oral GLP-1 tablet
- Strict dosing instructions
- Alternative for patients who prefer pills
Zepbound
Zepbound is tirzepatide, a weekly dual GIP/GLP-1 medication for chronic weight management in eligible patients.
- Weekly injection
- Also FDA-approved for certain adults with obesity-related OSA
- Compare with semaglutide and oral options
Foundayo
Foundayo is orforglipron, an oral GLP-1 medication approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with a weight-related condition.
- Once-daily oral tablet
- Does not require injection
- Compare with Wegovy pill and injections
Saxenda
Saxenda is liraglutide, a daily GLP-1 injection for chronic weight management in selected patients.
- Daily injection
- GLP-1 receptor agonist
- May be considered depending on history and coverage
Qsymia
Qsymia combines phentermine and topiramate extended release for chronic weight management in selected patients.
- Oral capsule
- May reduce appetite and cravings
- Requires pregnancy and safety monitoring
Contrave
Contrave combines naltrexone and bupropion and may help selected patients with cravings or reward-driven eating.
- Oral tablet
- May help cravings and emotional eating
- Requires blood pressure, seizure and medication review
Xenical / orlistat
Orlistat reduces fat absorption in the gut and may fit selected patients who prefer a non-appetite medication.
- Oral capsule
- Works in the intestine
- Requires counseling on fat intake and vitamins
Imcivree / setmelanotide
Setmelanotide is for rare genetic obesity disorders confirmed by genetic testing and is not a routine weight-loss medication.
- Rare genetic obesity indication
- Requires specialized diagnosis
- W8MD can help identify when referral is needed
Prescription weight-loss medication comparison
W8MD physicians can help determine which medication class fits your health history and weight-loss goals.
| Medication | Type | Route | Typical role | W8MD support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wegovy injection | GLP-1 receptor agonist | Weekly injection | Chronic weight management, appetite and food-noise control | Dose escalation, side-effect management, insurance documentation |
| Wegovy tablets | Oral semaglutide GLP-1 | Daily tablet | Oral GLP-1 option for eligible adults | Dosing instructions, comparison with injections |
| Zepbound | Dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist | Weekly injection | Chronic weight management; certain adults with obesity-related sleep apnea | Eligibility review, prior authorization support, sleep apnea integration |
| Foundayo | Oral GLP-1 receptor agonist | Daily tablet | Oral chronic weight-management option | Compare with Wegovy pill, Wegovy injection and Zepbound |
| Saxenda | GLP-1 receptor agonist | Daily injection | Selected patients needing liraglutide-based therapy | Coverage, tolerability and age/medical-history review |
| Qsymia | Phentermine/topiramate ER | Oral capsule | Appetite and cravings in selected patients | Blood pressure, pregnancy, mood and cognitive side-effect monitoring |
| Contrave | Naltrexone/bupropion ER | Oral tablet | Cravings, emotional eating, reward-driven eating | Blood pressure, seizure risk, opioid-use and medication-interaction review |
| Orlistat / Xenical | Lipase inhibitor | Oral capsule | Reduces dietary fat absorption | Fat intake, GI side-effect and vitamin counseling |
| Setmelanotide / Imcivree | MC4 receptor agonist | Injection | Rare genetic obesity disorders | Recognize rare-obesity red flags and coordinate referral when needed |
This comparison is educational and does not replace medical advice. Medication eligibility depends on a clinician evaluation.
Short-term prescription weight-loss medications
Some older appetite suppressants are FDA-approved only for short-term use as an adjunct to calorie restriction, exercise and behavior change. W8MD can evaluate whether one of these medications is appropriate, but they are not right for everyone and require careful medical supervision.
- Phentermine — commonly used short-term appetite suppressant
- Diethylpropion — older short-term appetite suppressant
- Phendimetrazine — short-term sympathomimetic appetite suppressant
- Benzphetamine — short-term appetite suppressant in selected patients
- These options require blood pressure, heart history, anxiety, insomnia and medication-interaction review
Very low-calorie diets and meal replacements
Very low-calorie diets and meal replacements can help selected patients lose weight faster, but they should be medically supervised, especially for patients taking diabetes medications, blood pressure medications, diuretics or appetite-suppressing drugs.
Very low-calorie diet
Structured low-calorie programs may be used short term in selected patients under medical supervision.
- Medical screening first
- Electrolyte and medication review
- Transition plan required
Meal replacements
Meal replacements can simplify calories and protein during active weight loss.
- Protein shakes
- Portion-controlled meals
- Structured grocery transition
Protein and muscle preservation
Fast weight loss should include a plan to protect muscle mass and metabolic health.
- Protein-first eating
- Resistance training
- Maintenance calories after weight loss
How W8MD helps you choose the right medication
The “best” medication is not the same for every patient. W8MD physicians with over 20 years of experience help patients choose between GLP-1 injections, GLP-1 tablets, traditional diet pills, meal replacements, VLCD, sleep apnea care and maintenance strategies.
- Review BMI, waist circumference, medical history and weight-related conditions
- Screen for diabetes risk, insulin resistance, sleep apnea, hypertension and heart disease
- Review pregnancy status, breastfeeding, mood history, seizure risk and medication interactions
- Compare brand-name, insurance-covered and affordable self-pay options
- Help with prior authorization when coverage is available
- Create a long-term plan to maintain weight loss and reduce regain
Affordable GLP-1 and prescription weight-loss options
W8MD accepts many insurance plans for qualifying medical visits and offers self-pay pathways for eligible patients. Visit coverage and medication coverage are separate.
Semaglutide-Based Programs
$29.99+Published weekly starting-dose pricing for certain eligible patients using insurance for qualifying medical visits.
Published self-pay options begin at $59.99+ per week.
Tirzepatide-Based Programs
$45.00+Published weekly starting-dose pricing for certain eligible patients using insurance for qualifying medical visits.
Published self-pay options begin at $69.99+ per week.
“Insurance for visits” does not mean the medication is covered by the pharmacy benefit. Starting prices apply to qualifying programs and starting doses and may refer to compounded prescription medication when legally available and clinically appropriate. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved and are not the same as FDA-approved brands such as Wegovy or Zepbound. Prices, dose, availability and eligibility may change.
Maintenance plan after prescription weight loss
Weight-loss medications and VLCDs can help with active weight loss, but W8MD also plans for what happens after the first 10, 20, 50 or 100 pounds are lost.
Continue follow-up
Track weight trend, appetite, side effects, sleep, blood pressure and response over time.
Adjust medication
Continue, adjust, switch or taper medication when medically appropriate and clinically needed.
Protect muscle
Use protein-first meals and resistance training to reduce lean-mass loss during weight loss.
Treat sleep apnea
Sleep apnea can worsen hunger, fatigue and regain risk. W8MD offers screening and home sleep studies.
Plan for plateaus
Review calories, medication dose, protein, activity, constipation, alcohol, sleep and stress.
Prevent relapse
Plan for holidays, travel, medication interruptions, emotional eating and returning food noise.
Weight loss, BMI, waist size, GLP-1 therapy and sleep
NYC, Brooklyn and Philadelphia locations
W8MD serves patients from Brooklyn, New York City, New Jersey, Connecticut, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, South Jersey and nearby communities.
Brooklyn / New York City
Address:
2632 East 21st Street, Suite L3
Brooklyn, NY 11235
Phone: 718-946-5500
Book Brooklyn appointment →Northeast Philadelphia
Address:
1718 Welsh Road, 2nd Floor, Suite C
Philadelphia, PA 19115
Phone: 215-676-2334
Book Philadelphia appointment →Telemedicine may be available
Telehealth may be available depending on patient location, clinician licensure, medical needs, visit type and prescribing rules.
Request appointment information →Helpful prescription weight-loss medication resources
Prescription weight-loss medication FAQ
Does W8MD offer FDA-approved prescription weight-loss medications?
Yes. W8MD can evaluate eligible patients for FDA-approved chronic weight-management medications such as Wegovy, Zepbound, Saxenda, Qsymia, Contrave, orlistat, Foundayo and appropriate oral options, along with short-term appetite suppressants when clinically appropriate.
Does W8MD offer GLP-1 weight-loss injections?
Yes. W8MD offers physician-supervised GLP-1 and incretin-based injection options for eligible patients, including semaglutide-based and tirzepatide-based options when medically appropriate and available.
Does W8MD offer Wegovy?
Yes. W8MD can evaluate eligible patients for Wegovy injection and Wegovy tablets when medically appropriate, covered or available.
Does W8MD offer Zepbound?
Yes. W8MD can evaluate eligible patients for Zepbound for chronic weight management and for selected adults with obesity-related obstructive sleep apnea.
Does W8MD offer Foundayo?
Yes. W8MD can evaluate eligible patients for Foundayo, an oral GLP-1 tablet, when clinically appropriate and available.
Does W8MD offer Contrave?
Yes. W8MD can evaluate eligible patients for Contrave, especially when cravings, emotional eating or reward-driven eating are major issues.
Does W8MD offer Qsymia?
Yes. W8MD can evaluate eligible patients for Qsymia, with careful review of pregnancy risk, blood pressure, mood, cognition and medication interactions.
Does W8MD offer orlistat?
Yes. W8MD can discuss orlistat for selected patients who prefer a non-appetite medication that reduces fat absorption.
Does W8MD offer phentermine?
Yes. W8MD can evaluate selected patients for phentermine when medically appropriate. Phentermine is generally a short-term appetite suppressant and requires careful review of blood pressure, heart history, anxiety, insomnia and stimulant sensitivity.
Does W8MD offer very low-calorie diets?
Yes. W8MD can help selected patients with structured low-calorie or very low-calorie diet plans, meal replacements and protein-focused nutrition when medically appropriate.
Can W8MD help with insurance or prior authorization?
Yes. When coverage is available and criteria are met, W8MD can help document BMI, weight-related conditions, prior attempts, sleep apnea, diabetes status, medication response and medical necessity. Approval depends on the insurance plan.
Can W8MD help me keep the weight off?
Yes. W8MD focuses on long-term maintenance, including medication strategy, protein planning, resistance training, sleep apnea treatment, follow-up visits and relapse-prevention planning.
Where are W8MD’s active offices?
W8MD’s active offices are in Brooklyn / New York City and Northeast Philadelphia. The Brooklyn phone number is 718-946-5500. The Philadelphia phone number is 215-676-2334.
Ready to compare prescription weight-loss medications?
W8MD physicians can help you compare GLP-1 injections, oral GLP-1 tablets, traditional diet pills, meal replacements, very low-calorie diets, sleep screening and maintenance strategies so you can lose weight and keep it off.
Request a prescription weight-loss consultation
Use the form below to request information about prescription weight-loss medications, GLP-1 injections, oral GLP-1 tablets, traditional diet pills, very low-calorie diets, meal replacements, sleep apnea screening, home sleep studies, or long-term weight-maintenance care.
Please do not submit urgent medical concerns, Social Security numbers, insurance ID numbers, or highly sensitive medical details through this form. If this is a medical emergency, call 911. A form submission does not confirm an appointment until W8MD staff contact you.
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