Contemporary Review of Drugs Used to Treat Obesity

Abstract

Obesity, classified by the American Medical Association in 2013 as a disease, is an epidemic that is drawing serious global attention. It is the most common preventable disease and the most common modifiable risk factor for several chronic diseases. It is an independent cause of increased morbidity and mortality. Obesity is spreading across most countries, socio-economic strata, age groups, gender groups, and races, albeit to variable degrees. It is concerning that both adults and children are increasingly afflicted by obesity. Both incidence and prevalence of the disease are on the rise. The direct and indirect costs attributable to obesity have reached billions of US dollars. Obesity management involves a multi-disciplinary approach that includes the patient and his or her family, the primary care provider, a dietician or nutrition specialist and physical trainer. It may also require specialist care in the use of pharmacological and surgical interventions. Currently available anti-obesity drugs are indicated for those who are obese (BMI of 30 kg/m(2)) or overweight (BMI of 27 kg/m(2)) with at least one weight-related comorbid condition. This article focuses on the FDA-approved antiobesity drugs, their mechanisms of action, chemical structures, efficacy, safety profiles and known side effects.

Obesity and Chronic Pain

“…The drug is excreted through the gut with only 3% systemic absorption. 175 Lorcaserin is a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor agonist that recently received FDA approval for treatment of obesity. Activation of these receptors leads to release of an α-melanocytestimulating hormone by the proopiomelanocortin-producing neurons, where these receptors are found in abundance.…”

“…This hormone, in turn, activates melanocortin 4 receptors, which directly affect appetite suppression. 175 The most recently FDA-approved drug is a combination of naltrexone and bupropion extendedrelease tablets. 171 According to a recent systematic review, up to 50% of patients taking lorcaserin and about 70% of patients taking either orlistat or phentermine plus topiramate extended release were able to achieve a more than 5% weight loss over a 1-year period.…”

Semaglutide for weight loss and cardiometabolic risk reduction in overweight/obesity

“…Cardiovascular disease remains the most common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and the risk is significantly heightened in the presence of obesity or being overweight [1]. Obesity, classified by the American Medical Association in 2013 as a disease, is a preventable disease and the most common modifiable risk factor for several chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease [2]. Available evidence suggests that by 2030 the majority of adults will be obese and the prevalence of obesity will approach 60% in some states and not be below 35% in any state in the United States [3].…”

Obesity and outpatient rehabilitation using mobile technologies: the potential mHealth approach

“…Nowadays functional anti-obesity drugs are partially indicated for those who are obese with one or more weight-related comorbid conditions (Rueda-Clausen et al, 2013; Kushner, 2014; Patham et al, 2014). Moreover additional interventions could be necessary: bariatric surgery can be an effective approach for weight loss and comorbidity reduction, taking into account that surgery can generate considerable risks and can be advised only to selected patients (Sandoval, 2011; Simpson et al, 2011; Henry et al, 2013; Kushner, 2014).…”