Author Interviews, Endocrinology, Weight Research / 16.01.2015
Endocrine Society Guidelines For Weight Loss Medications in Obesity

- If a patient responds well to a weight loss medication and loses 5 percent or more of their body weight after three months, the medication can be continued. If the medication is ineffective or the patient experiences side effects, the prescription should be stopped and an alternative medication or approach considered.
- Since some diabetes medications are associated with weight gain, people with diabetes who are obese or overweight should be given medications that promote weight loss or have no effect on weight as first- and second-line treatments. Doctors should discuss medications’ potential effects on weight with patients.
- Certain types of medication – angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers and calcium channel blockers – should be used as a first-line treatment for high blood pressure in obese people. These are effective blood pressure treatments that are less likely to contribute to weight gain than an alternative medication, beta-adrenergic blockers.
- When patients need medications that can have an impact on weight such as antidepressants, antipsychotic drugs and medications for treating epilepsy, they should be fully informed and provided with estimates of each option’s anticipated effect on weight. Doctors and patients should engage in a shared-decision making process to evaluate the options.
- In patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure or a history of heart disease, the medications phentermine and diethylpropion should not be used.