What’s the two treatment phases of obesity?
Induction of weight loss through caloric restriction and prevention of weight regain
Which classes of drugs are associated with weight gain?
Would discontinuation of anti-obesity medication result in weight regain?
Yes
What’s the approved appetite suppressants in Canada?
Bupropion/Naltrexone
Bupropion:
- a sympathomimetic drug
- given as a sustained-release formula
- used as an antidepressant and smoking cessation aid
Which population is bupropion/naltrexone indicated for?
BMI of 30+ or BMI of 27 with weight-related comorbidity
plus weight management alongside diet and exercise
What are the adverse effect of bupropion?
Dry mouth
Constipation
Agitation
Insomnia
Anxiety
Seizures (if higher doses. Rare)
What should we be careful of when prescribing bupropion?
Caution in patients with hepatic impairment
What are the adverse effects of a combination of bupropion/naltrexone?
Nausea, vomiting, constipation, headache, dizziness, insomnia, dry mouth
What is the contraindication of a combination of bupropion/naltrexone
Contraindicated with concurrent opioid therapy (due to precipitation of opioid withdrawal)
Before initiating a combination of bupropion/naltrexone, what should the patient do? (opioid -wise)
Patients must be opioid free for 7 days
What are the cautions for starting bupropion plus naltrexone?
What is orlistat?
Pancreatic and gastric lipase inhibitor which reduce dietary fat absorption by 30%.
What are the adverse effects of orlistat?
What is the contraindication for orlistat?
It is contraindicated in patients with chronic malabsorption syndrome or cholestasis.
What are the cautions for orlistat?
What is liraglutide, what is it indicated for and how is it administered?
Liraglutide is GLP-1 agonist (incretin mimetics). Originally it is for type 2 diabetes and then rebranded for obesity. It is administered by subcutaneous injection.
What are the adverse effects of liraglutide?
What are the cautions of liraglutide?
Caution in patients with heart rhythm disturbances, hepatic insufficiency, and severe renal impairment. Should not be used in IBD.
What is the contraindication of liraglutide?
Contraindicated in pregnancy, breastfeeding, personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
Under which circumstance, should a patient discontinue liraglutide?
Discontinue after 12 weeks if body weight loss <5%
What is semaglutide and how is it administered?
GLP-1 agonist like liraglutide but with a longer half-life. It is administered by weekly subcutaneous injection.
What are the adverse effects of semaglutide?
Similar to liraglutide.
What is obesity during pregnancy associated with?
Despite the increased risks, is weight loss during pregnancy recommended?
No