Anti-obesity medication

An overview of medications used to treat obesity

Overview

Anti-obesity medications in various forms

Anti-obesity medications are pharmacological agents that reduce or control body weight. These medications alter one of the fundamental processes of the human body, weight regulation, by either altering appetite, absorption of calories, or increasing energy expenditure.

Mechanism of Action

Anti-obesity medications work through various mechanisms:

• Appetite Suppression: Some medications act on the central nervous system to suppress appetite. These include drugs that affect neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.

• Inhibition of Fat Absorption: Certain medications, such as orlistat, work by inhibiting the absorption of dietary fats in the intestine.

• Increased Energy Expenditure: Some drugs aim to increase the body's metabolic rate, thereby increasing energy expenditure.

Common Medications

Several medications are commonly used in the treatment of obesity:

• Orlistat: A lipase inhibitor that reduces the absorption of dietary fat.
• Phentermine: An appetite suppressant that affects the central nervous system.
• Lorcaserin: A serotonin receptor agonist that promotes satiety.
• Liraglutide: A glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that increases insulin secretion and decreases appetite.

Side Effects

The use of anti-obesity medications can be associated with various side effects, which may include:

• Gastrointestinal Issues: Such as oily stools and flatulence, particularly with fat absorption inhibitors like orlistat.
• Cardiovascular Effects: Increased heart rate and blood pressure, especially with appetite suppressants.
• Central Nervous System Effects: Insomnia, nervousness, and dizziness.

Considerations and Contraindications

The prescription of anti-obesity medications requires careful consideration of the patient's overall health, potential side effects, and contraindications. These medications are typically recommended for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater, or 27 or greater with comorbid conditions such as type 2 diabetes or hypertension.

Related pages

• Obesity
• Body mass index
• Dieting
• Physical exercise