[Past, present and future of obesity pharmacotherapy]

Abstract

Obese (BMI > or = 30 kg/m2) and overweight (BMI > or = 25 and < 30 kg/m2) individuals are at high risk of developing serious chronic health problems, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease. Caloric restriction, increased physical activity and behavioral therapy remain the primary treatment options for the management of body weight in these individuals. When a weight loss of 5-10% cannot be achieved in 3-6 months by lifestyle changes drug therapy might be indicated. This review will provide a brief history of obesity pharmacotherapy, discuss the status of currently available obesity drugs and outline the future drug development. A medical need exists for the development of novel weight loss therapies or combinations of known therapies.