Obesity Pharmacotherapy: Benefits and Risks

Abstract

The growing number of obese people during the past decades, makes obesity a public health matter. It is considered a disease caused by multiple factors and dependent on genetic interaction, metabolic, social, behavioral and cultural factors. Pharmacologic therapy is recommended as an adjuvant therapy for obese patients or those who are overweight, which may be associated with co-morbidities putting their lives at risk. The anti obesity drugs generally act by decreasing appetite, fat absorption by inhibiting or increasing the thermogenesis and energy consumption and also in neurotransmitter systems. Among the drugs used as diet pills, we can highlight: Sibutramine, Amfepramone, Orlistat, Caffeine, Garcinia Cambogia. Therefore, the object of this systematic literature review is to check the main classes of drugs used for weight loss, that are released for the marketing in the Brazilian pharmaceutical market, highlighting its risks and benefits. The benefits of the use of pharmacological agents is to promote increased patients adherence to dietary behavioral changes and, weight loss. However, it is important to note that all the pharmacological therapy is accompanied by adverse effects and, that these effects can put the patients’ health at risk, herbal medicines as well. The use and abuse of these drugs are very common and widespread in our society, therefore, emphasizes the importance of correct information on this topic and the fundamental role of the pharmacist on guidance for the use of these drugs.