Tratamiento farmacológico o quirúrgico del paciente con sobrepeso u obesidad / Statement about the medical and surgical treatment of overweight and obesity

This is an updated review of the available treatments for obesity, which can be used when lifestyles modifications fail. Using the available information and the experience of the members of this advisory group, a recommendation is given about the most useful treatments, according to the severity of obesity and its complications. With regards to pharmacological treatments, only sibutramine and orlistat are approved on a worldwide basis for the treatment of obesity. These medications achieve a 10 percent higher weight reduction than lifestyles modification. A third medication, rimonobant, is also more effective than lifestyles modifications, but it was withdrawn due to psychological safety issues. The indications for surgical treatment and a brief description of the available techniques, success rates and complications are outlined. Finally, the need to have followed up protocols for patients and the formation of multidisciplinary treatment teams is underscored.

Sibutramina / Sibutramine

Sibutramine is a drug that recently been accepted for its use in obesity: Here we shall review its actions and its role in the pharmacologic therapy of obesity, its indications and interactions. We shall also see the associations sibutamine has with the patologies most frecuently associated with obesity