An Updated Approach to Antiobesity Pharmacotherapy: Moving Beyond the 5% Weight Loss Goal

• Published in: Journal of the Endocrine Society Vol. 7; no. 3; p. bvac195
• Main Authors: Enright, Connor, Thomas, Elizabeth, Saxon, David R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: US Oxford University Press 01-03-2023
• Subjects: Chronic diseases; Consumer goods industry; Drug therapy; Lamotrigine; Liraglutide; Monoamine oxidase; Obesity; Type 2 diabetes; Weight loss; United States; weight loss; antiobesity pharmacotherapy; obesity
• ISSN: 2472-1972; 2472-1972
• DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvac195

Abstract
Despite professional society guidelines recommending that obesity be treated as a chronic disease by emphasizing the use of lifestyle modification in conjunction with pharmacotherapy, antiobesity medications are uncommonly prescribed in most clinical practices. The recent Food and Drug Administration approval of semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly to treat obesity—as well as other forthcoming advancements in diabetes and antiobesity medications—highlights the potential of pharmacotherapy to significantly augment weight loss efforts. In this Expert Endocrine Consult, we review the evolving role of antiobesity pharmacotherapy in clinical practice and suggest a framework for the use of these medications.