Your top q’s about oral medication kits, answered
We’re unboxing (and unbottling) the newest medication offering—and sharing what you really want to know.
Our bodies are all built differently — and lose weight differently, too. Some people can make a few tweaks to what they eat and start seeing progress immediately. For others, it can take far longer for that effort to pay off. Many of us, however, see the scale stall no matter how hard we try. That’s when medication can be a gamechanger.
While GLP-1 agonists like Wegovy® and Zepbound® have gotten much of the attention over the last few years, they aren’t the only med options for weight loss. When used in tandem with lifestyle changes, oral meds like bupropion, naltrexone, and metformin (which doctors have prescribed in combination for years) can be powerful tools for people who want a more affordable and injection-free alternative to GLP-1s. That’s precisely why WeightWatchers Clinic now offers access to new Oral Medication Kits. Here's what else you should know.
Q: Who is eligible for the Oral Medication Kits?
Eligibility depends on several factors. Your Clinician will carefully review your health history, weight-loss goals, and unique medical needs to determine whether you are a good fit for an Oral Medication Kit. Generally, oral medications are considered for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher.
Q: What’s included in the Oral Medication Kits?
If your Clinician determines that you medically qualify for Oral Medication Kits, they may choose from two unique kits, depending upon your health history and goals.
Kit #1
Includes:
Bupropion: Boosts levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, brain chemicals that can help improve motivation and mood, and curb emotional eating.
Naltrexone: Targets the brain’s reward system to reduce cravings and interrupt patterns of overeating.
Kit #2
Includes both bupropion and naltrexone, plus:
Metformin: Helps lower the amount of sugar the liver releases into the blood, which can lead to weight loss, better metabolism, and reduced appetite.
If clinically appropriate, patients will start with the first kit and, with the help of a Clinician, switch to the second kit if they encounter a weight-loss plateau or their Clinician determines they would simply benefit more from that combo. Since all three medications support weight loss in different ways, taking all of them together may have an additive effect that leads to greater weight loss.
Q: How much do the kits cost?
Your monthly kit is included with a WeightWatchers Clinic membership, which is only $25 to start. Why so affordable? Bupropion, naltrexone, and metformin have been around for decades, which means our Clinicians can prescribe the much more accessible generic versions. GLP-1s like Wegovy and Zepbound, on the other hand, are fairly new, so generic versions are not yet available.
Q: Are the Oral Medication Kits effective?
Oral medications like bupropion, naltrexone, and metformin can help many people reach their weight goals, especially when combined with lifestyle changes like the Points® program. In fact, members lose an average of 54% more weight when they combine oral medication for weight loss with the Points Program as opposed to taking medication alone.*
The kits may also be a good option for people wanting to sustain their weight loss, particularly when transitioning from a GLP-1.
Q: What are the side effects?
As with all medications, the prescriptions in the Oral Medication Kits may come with potential side effects, which vary based on the specific medication prescribed and your unique biology.
Common side effects can include nausea, dry mouth, constipation, headache, dizziness, trouble sleeping, or increased heart rate.
Your Clinician will review possible side effects in detail when prescribing your kit, ensuring you understand what to expect and how to manage them. If you experience any side effects or have concerns about your medication, reach out to your WeightWatchers Clinic Care Team right away.
Q: How long can you take these medications?
You may decide to stay on these medications for as long as you’re benefiting from them. This is something that you and your Clinician should discuss as you reach your goal weight.
Q: How are these oral medications different from injectables?
Prescription weight-loss pills and injectables both help support weight loss, but they work in different ways. Oral medications like naltrexone, bupropion, and metformin are taken by mouth and typically help reduce appetite or affect how your body absorbs food.
Injectable medications, such as GLP-1s like Wegovy or Zepbound, are administered through injections and work by regulating hormones that control hunger and fullness, often leading to greater weight loss.
Someone may prefer an oral medication if they don’t want to deal with injections, or if they need something more affordable than a GLP-1. The best choice for you depends on your preferences, biology, health history, and weight-loss goals. Your Clinician will help determine the most suitable option for you and ensure your medication plan aligns seamlessly with your personalized weight-loss journey.
*Based on a 12-week randomized controlled trial (n=101) that compared taking bupropion & naltrexone medications on their own to taking bupropion & naltrexone with the WeightWatchers behavioral program, including the Points® Program. Jones et al. Manuscript in draft. Funded by WW International, Inc.