Pharmacotherapy for obesity

Background Obesity is a serious, chronic, relapsing disease of energy regulation, with strong genetic and early-life environmental determinants. Pharmacotherapy can be a useful adjunct to lifestyle intervention in effecting and maintaining clinically meaningful weight loss. Objectives The aim of this article is to discuss the role of pharmacotherapy in obesity management. The efficacy, side effects and contraindications of available weight-loss medications are reviewed. Discussion Long-term pharmacotherapy options, which can be effective in providing moderate weight loss, are available to treat obesity. Pharmacotherapy should be considered an adjunct to lifestyle intervention in those with a body mass index (BMI) > 30 kg/m², or in those with a BMI of 27-30 kg/m² and obesity-related complications. Safety and efficacy should be monitored closely on commencement, and the medication should be discontinued if there are safety or tolerability issues, or if < 5% weight loss is observed after three to four months.