Recent Advances in Anti-Obesity Drugs / 임상당뇨병

ABSTRACT

Obesity is a chronic, complex, and heterogeneous disease that is affected by genetic, developmental, biological, and environmental factors; thus, it is necessary to approach obesity with an integrated and comprehensive treatment strategy. Because it is difficult to achieve and maintain successful long-term weight loss through lifestyle modifications in most obese patients, a pharmacological approach to the treatment of obesity should be considered as adjuvant therapy. According to the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity guidelines, patients who fail to lose weight with comprehensive lifestyle modifications and who have a body mass index of ≥ 25 kg/m2 are eligible for weight loss medication treatment. Four drugs (orlistat, naltrexone extended-release [ER]/bupropion ER, phentermine/topiramate controlled-release, and liraglutide) have been approved for long-term use (> 12 weeks) to promote weight loss in Korea. Here, I will discuss these currently available anti-obesity agents as well as upcoming anti-obesity agents including semaglutide, setmelanotide, and tirzepatide in terms of obesity management.