Obesity and Drug Therapy

Obesity is prevalent.  It is known for 2500 years to be associated with many illnesses such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, high cholesterol, and heart attacks.  Weight loss of 10 to 15 percent signicantly reduces these ailments.  Drug therapy, along with diet and exercises, helps obese patients lose weight. 

 
During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance obesity was misperceived as the symbol of wealth and therefore was common among the elite.


Among available drugs that are claimed to help reduce weight, FDA approves only 7 drugs that are proven to be effective and safe .  Four of these drugs are diabetic medications.   They are Metformin, Pramlintide, Exenatide, and Liraglutide.  Other two drugs, Phentermine and diethylpropion, help reduce eating by causing early fullness.  Phentermine and diethylpropion are approved for short-term use up to 12 weeks.  These two drugs are also known as "anorexiants" since they cause early satiety.  Their main adverse effects are increase in blood pressure and potential for abuse.  The last one drug, Orlistat, alters fat digestion, thereby reducing absortion of fatty food.

Many previous drugs, which once were claimed to help lose weight, were removed from market when unfavorable adverse effects were reported.  Adverse effects are usually recorded after certain drugs are used for a sufficient time.  Therefore, it is wise to follow up reported adverse effects of currently approved drugs.  Some of these drugs may fall out of favor some time in the future.

It is important to keep in mind that current drug therapy does not cure obesity; weight might be regained when drug therapy is discontinued.