June 19, 2015

Weight Loss and Gain Medications

Weight Loss Medications
Use with reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity

Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion)
·         Naltrexone is an opiod antagonist
·         BMI
o   30 kg/m2 or greater (obese) or
o   27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) + comorbidity
§  Hypertension
§  Type 2 diabetes mellitus
§  Dyslipidemia
·         4-week dose titration schedule
·         ADR – suicidality, neuropsychiatric reactions
·         Administration
o   NOT cut, chew, or crush Contrave tablets
o   NOT take Contrave with high-fat meals à seizures
Belviq (lorcaserin)
·         Serotonin 2C receptor agonist
·         ADR - serotonin syndrome, neuroleptic malignant syndrome
·         Administration
o   with or without food
Qsymia (phentermine/topiramate)
·         Phentermine - sympathomimetic amine anorectic
·         Topiramate - antiepileptic medication
·         ADR - concentration, memory, and speech difficulties
·         Administration
o   With or without food
o   Avoid in evening à insomnia
o   Avoid alcohol à dizziness and sleepiness
o   NOT stop suddenly à seizures
Alli (orlistat)
·         Inhibits gastrointestinal lipases
·         Administration
o   3 times a day with each main meal containing fat
o   Take multivitamin with A,D,E,K
·         ADR – GI effects, gas

Evaluate response after 12 weeks
If 5% weight loss not seen à stop drug

Weight Loss Bariatric Surgery

  • BMI > 35 + comorbidity (hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabtes)
  • BMI > 40

Weight Gain Medications

  • Anticonvulsants (carbamazepine, gabapentin, pregabalin, valproic acid, lithium)
  • Antidepressants (phenelzine, mirtazapine, paroxetine, amitriptyline, nortriptyline)
  • Antihistamines (H1 blockers - cetirizine)
  • Antihypertensives (atenolol, propanolol)
  • Vasodilators (minoxidil)
  • Antipsychotics (chlorpromazine, clozapine, iloperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone)
  • Corticosteroids 
  • Hormonals (medroxyprogesterone, megestrol)
  • Hypoglycemic (insulin, sulfonylureas, meglitinides, thiazolidinediones)
Source:
http://www.pharmacytimes.com/contributor/anyssa-garza/2015/03/weight-loss-medications-on-the-market