Medications for the treatment of obesity in adolescents

Abstract

While there are eight medications/combinations approved for the treatment of obesity in adults, the options for the treatment of obesity in adolescents remain limited. Evidence for obesity medication use in adolescents is limited due to the relatively small number of clinical trials that have been completed and the few adolescents that have been included in many of the trials. The goal of this review will be to present the current evidence for the medications approved for adolescents, medications not approved for adolescents but have adolescent data, and medications approved for adults with the prospect for use in adolescents. We will also discuss current limitations and next steps in the exploration of future treatment options.