An Updated Approach to Antiobesity Pharmacotherapy: Moving Beyond the 5% Weight Loss Goal

Abstract

Despite professional society guidelines recommending that obesity be treated as a chronic disease by emphasizing the use of lifestyle modification in conjunction with pharmacotherapy, anti-obesity medications are uncommonly prescribed in most clinical practices. The recent FDA approval of semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly to treat obesity – as well as other forthcoming advancements in diabetes and anti-obesity medications – highlights the potential of pharmacotherapy to significantly augment weight loss efforts. In this Expert Endocrine Consult, we review the evolving role of anti-obesity pharmacotherapy in clinical practice and suggest a framework for the use of these medications.