The Evolution of Obesity Pharmacotherapy from Sympathomimetics to Incretin-based Therapies
This review explores the transition from traditional agents like phentermine to incretin-based therapies such as semaglutide and tirzepatide. It highlights the shift from short-term appetite suppression to sustained pharmacological management of obesity and its comorbidities.
Obesity is a chronic metabolic disorder that has reached epidemic proportions globally, often requiring pharmacotherapy when lifestyle modifications alone provide limited long-term weight loss. While traditional treatments like phentermine and orlistat offer modest results, they are frequently limited by safety restrictions.
The emergence of incretin-based therapies, including GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual GLP-1/GIP agonists, has demonstrated unprecedented efficacy in clinical trials, with some agents achieving weight loss of over 20%. These modern treatments provide durable weight reduction by mimicking endogenous hormones to regulate satiety and glucose homeostasis, redefining therapeutic expectations for long-term obesity management.
Click here to access the article.