Approved and Off-Label Uses of Obesity Medications, and Potential New Pharmacologic Treatment Options

Abstract

Available anti-obesity pharmacotherapy options remain very limited and development of more effective drugs has become a priority. The potential strategies to achieve weight loss are to reduce energy intake by stimulating anorexigenic signals or by blocking orexigenic signals, and to increase energy expenditure. This review will focus on approved obesity medications, as well as potential new pharmacologic treatment options.

Keywords

• obesity
• drug treatment
• orlistat
• sibutramine
• rimonabant
• leptin
• ghrelin