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Review
. 2018 Oct;16(8):390-394.
doi: 10.1089/met.2018.0075. Epub 2018 Jul 11.

Combination Therapies for Obesity

Michael Camilleri  1 , Andres Acosta  1
Affiliations
Review

Combination Therapies for Obesity

Michael Camilleri et al. Metab Syndr Relat Disord. 2018 Oct.

Abstract

The objective of this review is to examine advances in the development of combination therapies for the treatment of obesity beyond diet or lifestyle interventions. Experimental combination pharmacotherapies include combinations of pramlintide and phentermine as well as amylin and bupropion-naltrexone. Incretin and pancreatic hormones generally inhibit upper gastrointestinal motor functions, and combinations showing efficacy in obesity are coadministration of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) with glucagon, a unimolecular dual incretin of PEGylated GLP-1/GIP coagonist, the combination of GLP-1 and PYY3-36, and, in proof of concept studies, combined infusions of GLP-1, peptide YY, and oxyntomodulin. Among bariatric procedures, repeat intragastric balloon (IGB) treatments are more efficacious than IGB plus diet, and endoscopic intervention can enhance the effects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass when weight regain occurs. A first trial has provided promising results with combination of IGB plus the GLP-1 analog, liraglutide, compared to the balloon alone. Thus, combination therapies for the treatment of obesity hold promise for introduction into clinical practice.

Keywords: GLP-1; glucagon; obesity; pharmacotherapies.

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Conflict of interest statement

Novo Nordisk provided liraglutide for trials in Dr. Camilleri's laboratory within the past 2 years. Dr. Acosta declares no conflicts of interest.

Figures

<b>FIG. 1.</b>
FIG. 1.
Individual and combined therapeutic approaches in obesity.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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