Obesity Weight Loss Drugs Treatment
Pharmacological Management of Obesity
Obesity is a major chronic health problem in adults. It is a complex,
multifactorial disorder characterised by excess accumulation of adipose
tissue. It is associated with a number of complications including cardiovascular
disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidaemia and cancer. A weight
loss in the order of 5-10 percent is associated with clinically meaningful
reductions with respect to all comorbidities.
Weight Management Therapy
Diet and exercise has been the cornerstone of weight management therapy,
but this approach has limitations, especially for weight maintenance.
Previous drugs used in obesity had serious side effects including valvular
heart disease. However, recent drugs like orlistat and sibutramine have
been rigorously tested and proven safe.
Orlistat/Xenical Weight Loss Drugs
Orlistat, a lipase inhibitor, inhibits absorption of dietary fat by approximately
30 percent. Taken with a hypocaloric diet, it produces and maintains clinically
meaningful weight loss.
|
|
Sibutramine/Meridia Weight Loss
Drugs
Sibutramine is a centrally-acting
agent which enhances satiety and thermogenesis by inhibiting serotonin
and noradrenaline re-uptake. It is appropriate for patients who
are unable to lose weight by lifestyle modification.
Source: Hanif MW, Kumar S. Birmingham
Heartlands Hospital, Bordsley Green East, Birmingham, UK. 2003.
|
|
|
|
com