title: New agents in development for the management of obesity.
abstract: Obesity is fast becoming the major cause of premature death in the developed world. The rising prevalence of obesity and obesity-related comorbidities also elevates healthcare costs, and reduced quality of life. The National Institute of Clinical Excellence in the UK recommends pharmacotherapy, in conjunction with lifestyle modification, for obese individuals [i.e. body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m(2)] and for overweight persons with a BMI greater than 27 kg/m(2), accompanied by at least one comorbidity. However, the current pharmaceutical treatment available to combat this epidemic remains limited. We review the efficacy and pharmacology of the anti-obesity agents currently used in clinical practice as well as some of the potential agents in phase II and III trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Pathology, King's College Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Vincent
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: le Roux
mesh_terms: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015507:Drugs, Investigational / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000187:drug effects; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D015507:Drugs, Investigational