An Overview of Anti-Obesity Medications

Anti-obesity medications (AOMs) are more effective than diet alone, are associated with better long-term outcomes, and are safe in the long-term.

These were the topics discussed today at Practical Updates in Primary Care 2021. Speaker Angela Fitch, MD, who is the associate director at the Massachusetts General Weight Center at Harvard Medical School and vice president of the Obesity Medicine Association, began her presentation by discussing indications for AOMs, specifically in patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or greater or patients with a BMI of 27 kg/m² or greater with comorbidities.

Next, she discussed the benefits of combination treatment, specifically the addition of medication to behavior modification and meal replacements, the mechanisms of action of AOMs, and currently available AOMs, including phentermine, diethylpropion, orlistat, liraglutide, and setmelanotide.

She went on to discuss the efficacy of AOMs, ways to measure efficacy, pediatric obesity treatment, and medication safety.

Lastly, she discussed a patient case, applying the previously reviewed information to determine how to best treat a woman in need of a 20% weight loss for diabetes remission.

—Michael Potts

Reference

Finch A. Safety and efficacy of anti-obesity medications. Talk presented at: Practical Updates in Primary Care 2021 Virtual Series; May 13-15, 2021; Virtual.