Novel anti-obesity drugs.

Article Details

Citation

Proietto J, Fam BC, Ainslie DA, Thorburn AW

Novel anti-obesity drugs.

Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2000 Jun;9(6):1317-26.

PubMed ID
11060745 [ View in PubMed
]
Abstract

There is increasing evidence that body weight is homeostatically regulated and that in obesity this regulation maintains weight at a high level. Weight loss activates mechanisms that are designed to return individuals to their pre-existing weight. This explains the universally poor results of current strategies to maintain weight loss. On this basis, life-long drug therapy may be justified for those with significant obesity. Currently available drugs include selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (e.g., fluoxetine), noradrenergic re-uptake inhibitors (e.g., phentermine), a serotonin and noradrenergic re-uptake inhibitor (sibutramine) and an intestinal lipase inhibitor (orlistat). An active research program is underway to develop new agents based on the rapidly expanding knowledge of the complex mechanisms regulating body weight. Leptin, a hormone produced by adipocytes that inhibits food intake, has undergone clinical trials and analogues are currently being developed. Other agents include amylin, melanocortin-4 receptor agonists, neuropeptide Y antagonists, beta(3) adrenergic agonists and glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists. As some redundancy exists in the central regulatory system controlling body weight, some agents might need to be used in combination to be effective.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Targets
DrugTargetKindOrganismPharmacological ActionActions
PhentermineSodium-dependent noradrenaline transporterProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details