Obesity is quickly becoming the leading preventable cause of death in the USA. Over 60
obesity-related comorbidities exist which increase the complexity and cost of medical care in obese patients. Even a moderate
weight loss of 5 % can reduce morbidity associated with these conditions. Lifestyle modification through
caloric restriction and enhanced exercise and physical activity remain the first line treatment for
obesity. The development of pharmacologic agents for the treatment of
obesity has been challenged by both lack of efficacy and serious adverse side effects leading to their removal from market. Two new agents were recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to
complement lifestyle modification in obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m(2)) and
overweight patients (BMI ≥27 kg/m(2) and one
obesity-related comorbidity).
Lorcaserin is a novel
serotonin 5-HT2C selective agonist which has been shown in three phase III studies to significantly reduce weight and cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes.
Phentermine/
topiramate extended release (ER) is a novel combination of two agents which have individually been shown to significantly reduce weight. The combination agent
phentermine/
topiramate ER has been shown to reduce weight in
overweight and obese subjects in a number of studies. This article reviews the pharmacology, clinical efficacy, and safety of these new agents compared to past and other presently available medications for the treatment of
obesity.