Beyond Traditional Management: The Use of Medications in the Treatment of Obesity

Abstract

Medications along with traditional management techniques have been used to treat obesity for years with mixed results and many side effects. It is crucial that providers of care for persons with obesity understand the role of pharmaceuticals, their mechanisms of action, their potential interactions with other drugs, and their side effects. This chapter lists and classifies all the medications prescribed for weight loss, for treating obesity-related diseases, for use in connection with bariatric surgery, and for treating other medical problems in patients with obesity. It details the unique challenges of using prescription medications in patients with obesity and defines the criteria for using pharmacotherapy in the management of weight loss. Finally, this chapter explains the mechanism of action of FDA-approved medications for weight loss. As our understanding of obesity improves and the efficacy of prescription medications evolves our management strategies will improve as well, resulting in a positive and lasting impact on patients with obesity and on the disease itself.