Lorcaserin Hydrochloride and A Combination of Phentermine and Topiramate: New FDA Approved Anti-Obesity Drugs after 15 Long Years Imran Mohammed*,1, Tabrez Shams**, Ahmed Tanveer*** *Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, HIMSR and Associated Hakeem Abdul Hameed Centenary Hospital, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi-110062 **Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, HIMSR and Associated Hakeem Abdul Hameed Centenary Hospital, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi-110062 ***Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Dentistry, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi-110025 1Corresponding Author E-Mail: drimran@aol.in
Online published on 27 March, 2014. Abstract Obesity is a gradual epidemic engulfing the mankind across continents. Not only increase in weight but also arising comorbidities are debilitating for the patients. The Lifestyle modifications including exercise and proper management of diet is the mainstay of obesity treatment. However pharmacotherapy is the management of choice in case of morbid debilitating obese patients where lifestyle management is not sufficient. After a long lull of 15 years since the withdrawal of dexfenfluramine in 1997, FDA has approved two new medications for weight loss; one is a new chemical entity lorcaserin hydrochloride which is an 5-HT2C agonist approved on 27th June 2012 followed by the other medication, a fixed dose combination of already existing phentermine hydrochloride and novel compound topiramatesulphamate, on 17th July 2012. It is a great leap in the management of excess weight but FDA mentions that the effects on cardiovascular system; interactions with the other alternative weight reducing therapies and safety in paediatric patients needs to be established. Top Keywords Anti-Obesity Drugs, Lorcaserin, Topiramate, Phentermine. Top |