Obesity prevalence is at worldwide epidemic levels, and behind cigarette smoking, obesity is the second leading cause of preventable deaths. Interventions directed toward improving nutrition, increasing physical activity, and changing eating behaviors can be effective treatments for obesity, but long -term benefits are often countered by neuro-hormonally activated homeostatic mechanisms that eventually lead to weight regain. Anti-obesity pharmacologic agents are often effective in combating the internal drives that increase appetite and contribute to obesity as well as those associated with weight regain. Despite the prevalence and deadly consequences of obesity, there are currently only four FDA approved anti-obesity medications for long -term use and four older sympathomimetic agents approved only three month’s treatment duration. Pharmacologic options for obesity treatment are further limited by other factors that include medication expense and lack of insurance coverage, concurrent medical conditions, drug interactions, adverse drug effects, and individual lack of therapeutic response in some individuals.

Fortunately, there are options that are not FDA approved (off-label) that are generally safe and efficacious for obesity treatment backed by clinical experience and medical literature. This educational series will focus on safe and efficacious obesity treatment in challenging patients when FDA approved therapeutic agents are not an option.

With disease management, the weight-gain potential of medications is often not considered when choosing pharmacotherapy options. Many commonly used medications associated with weight gain have alternatives with weight neutral or weight losing effects. Shifting medication choices from weight positive to weight neutral or negative choices can be an effective means of facilitating weight loss.

CME/CE Expiration Date: 4/25/24

*The expiration date listed above is the last day CME/CE credit can be claimed for this specific presentation.