LPU – ST. CABRINI SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES INC.

COLLEGE OF ALLIED MEDICINE

DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACY

DRUGS FOR OBESITY

PHARMACOLOGY 2
LECTURE
 LPU – ST. CABRINI SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES INC.
COLLEGE OF ALLIED MEDICINE
DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACY

• Overview
• Anorexiants (Appetite Suppressants)
• Lipase Inhibitors
• Serotonin Agonists
• Combination Drugs
 LPU – ST. CABRINI SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES INC.
COLLEGE OF ALLIED MEDICINE
DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACY

OVERVIEW
• BMI 30kg/m2 or greater
• Calorie consumption exceeds calorie expenditure
• Genetics, metabolism, behavior, environment, culture, and
socioeconomic status contribute to obesity
• Obesity with at least two comorbidities (hypertension and diabetes)
– candidate for pharmacological treatment of obesity
 LPU – ST. CABRINI SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES INC.
COLLEGE OF ALLIED MEDICINE
DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACY

ANOREXIANTS (APPETITE SUPPRESSANTS)

• Phentermine and Diethylpropion
• MOA (Phentermine): increases the release of norepinephrine and
dopamine from the nerve terminals and by inhibiting the reuptake of
these neurotransmitters, thereby increasing levels of neurotransmitters in
the brain; the increase of NE signals a “fight-or-flight” response by the
body that leads to decreased appetite
• Diethylpropion has similar effects on NE
• Tolerance to the weight loss effect of these agents develops within
weeks, and weight loss typically plateaus
• (A/E): Dry mouth, headache, insomnia, and constipation; heart rate and
blood pressure may be increases with these agents
 LPU – ST. CABRINI SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES INC.
COLLEGE OF ALLIED MEDICINE
DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACY

LIPASE INHIBITORS
• Orlistat – indicated for weight loss or weight maintenance
• Orlistat is a pentanoic acid ester that inhibits gastric and pancreatic
lipasases, thus decreasing the breakdown of dietary fat into smaller
molecules that can be absorbed; decreases fat absorption by about
30%; weight loss is the result of loss of calories due to decreased
absorption of fat
• A/E: GI symptoms such as oily spotting, flatulence with discharge,
fecal urgency, and increased defecation (can be minimized through low-
fat diet and use of concomitant cholestyramine); pancreatitis and live
injury have occurred rarely in patients taking orlistat; CI in pregnancy
and patients with chronic malabsorption syndrome or cholestasis
 LPU – ST. CABRINI SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES INC.
COLLEGE OF ALLIED MEDICINE
DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACY

LIPASE INHIBITORS (cont)

• Orlistat also interferes with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
and B-carotene
• Orlistat can also interfere with the absorption of amiodarone,
cyclosporine, and levothyroxine
 LPU – ST. CABRINI SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES INC.
COLLEGE OF ALLIED MEDICINE
DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACY

SEROTONIN AGONISTS
• Locaserin – a newer serotonin agonist, with selectivity for the 2C
serotonin receptor; used for the chronic weight management
• Locaserin activates 5-HT2C receptors that results to stimulation of
pro-opiomelanocortin neurons, which activate melanocortin receptors
that causes decrease in appetite
• Most common A/E: nausea, headache, dry mouth, dizziness,
constipation, and lethargy; mood changes and suicidal ideation (rare);
life-threatening serotonin syndrome or neuroleptic malignant
syndrome have been reported
 LPU – ST. CABRINI SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES INC.
COLLEGE OF ALLIED MEDICINE
DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACY

COMBINATION DRUGS
• Phentermine and Topiramte
• Weight loss have been observed in patients taking Topiramate
• Topiramate has sedating effects, phentermine was added to counteract
these effects and promote additional weight loss
• Phentermine/Topiramate is dosed in steps, which means the dose shall
be escalated every 2 weeks, depending on the response
• Topiramate – associated with birth defects (cleft palate); other A/Es
paresthesia, suicidal ideation, and cognitive dysfunction