Pharmacotherapy for Obesity

Katherine H Saunders; Alpana P Shukla; Leon I Igel; Rekha B Kumar; Louis J Aronne

doi:10.1016/j.ecl.2016.04.005

Pharmacotherapy for Obesity

Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2016 Sep;45(3):521-38. doi: 10.1016/j.ecl.2016.04.005.

Authors

Katherine H Saunders¹, Alpana P Shukla², Leon I Igel², Rekha B Kumar², Louis J Aronne²

Affiliations

¹ Comprehensive Weight Control Center, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1165 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA. Electronic address: kph2001@med.cornell.edu.
² Comprehensive Weight Control Center, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1165 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.

PMID: 27519128
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecl.2016.04.005

Abstract

Successful treatment of obesity requires a multidisciplinary approach including diet, exercise and behavioral modification. As lifestyle changes are not sufficient for some patients, pharmacologic therapies should be considered as adjuncts to lifestyle interventions. In this article, we review clinical indications, mechanisms of action, dosing/administration, side effects, drug interactions and contraindications for the six most widely prescribed obesity medications. We also summarize the efficacy data from phase 3 trials which led to drug approval. As multiple agents are sometimes required for clinically significant weight loss, the future of obesity medicine will likely involve combinations of agents in addition to behavioral counseling.

Keywords: Liraglutide; Lorcaserin; Naltrexone SR/bupropion SR; Obesity; Orlistat; Pharmacotherapy; Phentermine/topiramate ER; Weight management.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Anti-Obesity Agents / therapeutic use*
Exercise
Humans
Life Style
Obesity / drug therapy*
Weight Loss

Substances

Anti-Obesity Agents