Weight-Loss Drugs: What’s All the Hype?

You probably have seen the recent coverage of the FDA approval of new weight-loss medications on the nightly news, in your local paper, or on weight-loss websites. So what’s all the hype? Well, the FDA is in the process of approving three new weight-loss drugs before the end of 2012. This is a particularly historic event because the last time a drug was approved for weight loss was 1999.

How do these drugs affect the body?

All drugs for weight loss can be categorized as either “locally acting” meaning they influence absorption of a particular nutrient (with side effect risk theoretically limited to the system they influence), or “centrally acting”, meaning drugs that are taken and then metabolize, thus having an effect on multiple body systems, including the brain. All three of the drugs set to be approved in 2012 are centrally acting, which means the side effect risk associated with these compounds is thought to be higher as they may influence multiple pathways in the body.

Lifestyle change is a recommended adjunctive treatment

The current FDA guidelines require that prescriptions are limited to those with a BMI ≥30 kg/m² or those with a BMI ≥27 kg/m² with a related co-morbidity, such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, or hypertension. The FDA also recommends that all labels contain information about the importance of diet and lifestyle modification in conjunction with the drug therapy, to achieve the most substantial weight loss. In order to be approved, the drugs must show a 5% weight loss at 1 year. For a 160-lb. person, that is only 8 pounds.

What does this mean for the average person looking to lose weight?

These drugs may help short term, but their results are not impressive yielding on average a 5-10% weight loss at 1 year. The long-term efficacy of these drugs and risk is unknown, making it difficult to determine their overall risk-to-benefit ratio. Lifestyle intervention programs offer similar weight-loss outcomes without the risks and side effects.

In July of 2012, The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force released new guidelines recommending that all patients who need to lose weight are referred to a comprehensive lifestyle management program. The HMR Program is exactly this kind of program, producing more substantial weight loss than both other lifestyle programs and weight-loss medications.
Although this year is historic in terms of drug approvals, it remains unclear if these drugs will have any substantial influence on the weight of the nation. At the very least, the increase in media coverage will shine the spotlight on the need for improved strategies for weight management which may encourage people to improve their own lifestyles and focus on their health.

Want more information about the history of weight-loss drugs? Click here.

 

by DrJeanene on 07/30/2012 | Share Story With a Friend

tags: Weight-Loss, HMR, medication