Obesity Drugs
SUMMARY: Quick overview of obesity medications from the HPMI Obesity Weekend Conference 2022.
Reference
Dr Sham Archarya / HPMI Obesity Weekend 2022 https://vimeo.com/735672258/f7629528ad#t=6h47m20s
Introduction
67% of adults are overweight or obese
1 in 4 children and adolescents are overweight or obese
9% of disease burden and death is attributable to obesity
Consequences
Obesity linked to >195 complications
Metabolic: Diabetes, HTN, PCOS, Dyslipidemia
Pulmonary: OSA, Asthma
MSK: OA, back pain, immobility, sarcopenia, falls
Reproductive: menstrual irregularity, continence, infertility
Cardiovascular: CCF, IHD, Stroke, varicose veins
Mental health: Social isolation, depression, eating disorders
Nutrition: malnutrition
Cancer: Endometrial, breast, pancreas, prostate
Central Regulation
Adipose tissue > Leptin (appetite suppressing)
Stomach > Ghrelin (appetite increasing)
Pancreas > Insulin (appetite suppressing)
Intestines > CCK, GLP-1, PYY, OXM (appetite suppressing)
Contrave
Cost $250
Works on BOTH mesolimbic reward system and hypothalamic hunger system
Naltrexone / Buproprion
Indication BMI > 30 or BMI > 27 with comorbidity
Check weight loss at 16 weeks, needs to be > 5% other cease
2 tablets twice daily, uptitrate over 4 weeks
Weight loss 5 to 7%, can be up to 12% with behaviour modification therapy
53% lost 5% or more at week 56
Good time to quit smoking or alcohol as well
Contraindications: Opiates, Seizure disorders
Adverse effects: No convincing evidence of increased cardiovascular events, lower dose if GFR <60
Drug interactions: Increase levels of Antipsychotics, B blockers, Antidepressants, limit to max 2 tablets if on clopidogrel
Contrave Prescribing Checklist - https://contravehcp.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Prior_Authorization_Checklist.pdf
Saxenda / Liraglutide / GLP-1 analogues
Cost $375
Indication BMI > 30 or BMI > 27 with comorbidity
Weight loss is 8% at 56 weeks
Those who lost >5% at 16 weeks, lost 11% at 56 weeks
Can be used with VLED
Side effects: 25% has significant nausea, peaks around week 6. Titrate up slower over 3 months to reduce
Titrate weekly, 0.6mg, 1.2mg, 1.8mg, 2.4mg up to 3mg
Adverse events: Slight increase gall stones
Ozempic / Semaglutide
Once weekly dosing
1mg gets 10% weight loss, 2.4mg dose achieves 13% weight loss
Topirimate and Phentermine (Duromine)
Up to 14% weight loss
Adverse effects: Dry mouth, constipation, change in taste
Tirzepatide
Not available yet
Weekly injection
Weight loss around 20 to 22% weight loss
2.2% HBA1c reduction in T2DM, compared to 1.8% loss with Ozempic
Newer triple agonist medication also in works looking at 30% weight loss
End point
All drugs wear off and weight regain happens due to set point
At start, consider discussion regarding end point or continuation indefinitely
Reference
Dr Sham Archarya / HPMI Obesity Weekend 2022 https://vimeo.com/735672258/f7629528ad#t=6h47m20s