Management of Obesity : Principles
Purpose
This learning activity supports evidence-based prescription of medications for people with obesity, both avoiding medication-induced weight gain and initiating medication-facilitated weight loss, as part of a complete treatment plan.
After this training, you will be able to:
1 .Identify prescription and over-the-counter medications that may promote weight gain.
2. Describe the mechanisms of action of FDA-approved anti-obesity medications.
3 .Identify side effect profiles, medical contraindications, and drug-drug interactions of anti-obesity medications.
4.Prescribe medication for weight loss, as part of a complete treatment plan that includes lifestyle modifications and may include bariatric surgery.
Medications May Affect Weight
Along with the rise in obesity, there has been an increase in prescription of medications that are associated with weight gain, and both BMI and waist circumference have been shown to increase with the number of weight-promoting drugs prescribed. Therefore, before prescribing an anti-obesity pharmacotherapeutic, first review the patient’s current medication list for drugs that promote weight gain. Adjust the regimen if medically appropriate, in collaboration with any other prescribing clinicians.
Step 1
Review the patient’s current medication list for drugs that promote weight gain.
Step 2
Adjust the regimen if medically appropriate.
Stage 3
Assessment and changes to any medication should be done in collaboration with other clinicians who may be prescribing obesogenic medications to the patient.
Medications That May Cause Weight Gain
How well do you know medications that promote weight gain?
Do you know of possible alternatives that promote less weight gain, are weight neutral, or even promote weight loss? Predict the effects of common medications, then expand each therapeutic category to see a list of medications and their effects on weight.
