Novel anti-obesity drugs and plasma lipids. (April 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nikolic, Dragana; Toth, Peter P; Ferlita, Alessandra; Bartolo, Vittoria Di; Montalto, Giuseppe; Banach, Maciej; Rizzo, Manfredi
• Is Part Of: Clinical lipidology. Volume 9:Number 2(2014)
• Page Start: 179
• Page End: 187
• Publication Date: 2014-04
• Subjects: anti-obesity drugs -- contrave -- dyslipidemia -- lorcaserin -- low-density lipoprotein -- obesity -- Qsymia® -- triglyceride; Lipids -- Periodicals; 616.3997
• DOI: 10.2217/clp.14.7
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1758-4299

Abstract

Obesity is a health problem of global, epidemic proportions and a major risk factor for chronic diseases resulting in accelerated morbidity and mortality. Dyslipidemia with a predominance of small dense LDL, impaired functionality of HDL particles, and increased serum levels of remnant particles due to impaired clearance of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins significantly heightens cardiovascular events in obese subjects. Pharmacotherapy in combination with lifestyle modification is the primary approach to reduce obesity-related cardiovascular risk. Although there are several potential anti-obesity drugs, orlistat is the only agent that remains available in the market. Lorcaserin and Qsymia ®, approved by the US FDA last year, and contrave with potential approval in 2014, are new anti-obesity drugs with promising therapeutic effects. Although these drugs can be associated with adverse side-effects, these agents have favorable effects on lipid profiles. However, the need for safer anti-obesity agents is clear.