Long-term pharmacotherapy for obesity.

Obese patients unable to achieve significant weight loss with lifestyle changes alone may require drug therapy, and such therapy may be needed long term lest weight lost be regained. In the United States, only sibutramine and orlistat are available for the long-term treatment of obesity. Clinical trials have shown that both drugs can induce and maintain weight loss, even in patients with comorbid conditions such as hypertension or type 2 diabetes. Their use must be combined with behavior modification and a structured meal plan, however, for patients to reap the full benefits of such treatment.