Which medication is NOT approved as a weight management option due to low efficacy?

• A. Lisdexamfetamine
• B. Orlistat
• C. Liraglutide
• D. Phentermine

Answer: (A)

Weight management medications are approved when they produce meaningful, durable weight loss with an acceptable safety profile. Lisdexamfetamine, while it can suppress appetite, has not shown robust and sustained weight loss in trials with overweight or obese individuals, and it carries greater risks of abuse and other adverse effects. These efficacy and safety concerns mean it isn’t approved for obesity treatment. In contrast, other meds on the list have demonstrated clinically meaningful weight loss in studies and are approved for weight management (orlistat by reducing fat absorption, liraglutide by suppressing appetite and energy intake, phentermine for short-term use). Lisdexamfetamine remains approved for ADHD and for binge eating disorder, not for obesity.