Pharmacotherapy for obesity management

ABSTRACT

Pharmacological treatments are an effective and scalable approach to treating obesity. As with any chronic disease, such as type 2 diabetes (T2DM) or hypertension, pharmacotherapy is an important pillar in the management of obesity. The focus of obesity management should be the improvement of health parameters (metabolic, mechanical, mental, and/or quality of life [QoL]), not solely weight reduction, and should include outcomes that the patient identifies as important. Obesity is defined by body mass index (BMI) in clinical trials, which itself does not adequately reflect the burden of adiposity-related disease. There are four medications indicated for long-term obesity management in Canada as adjuncts to health-behaviour changes liraglutide (Saxenda®), naltrexone/bupropion (Contrave®) in a combination tablet, orlistat (Xenical®) and semaglutide (Wegovy®). All four medications are effective in producing clinically significant weight loss and health benefits greater than placebo over a duration of at least one year. The individual response to pharmacotherapy for obesity management is heterogeneous. Efficacy (both for weight and management of obesity-related health issues), mechanism of action, safety, potential side effects/tolerability, contraindications, medication interactions, mode of administration and cost are important considerations in choosing the most appropriate obesity pharmacotherapy. Obesity medications are intended as part of a long-term treatment strategy. Clinical trials of pharmacotherapy for obesity management consistently demonstrate regain of weight when treatment is stopped. Medications that are not approved as pharmacotherapy for obesity management should not be used for this purpose.