[What is the role of drugs in therapy of obesity?].

Drugs are part of the multimodal approach of modern obesity treatment. In the near future Sibutramine, a centrally acting serotoninergic and noradrenergic agonist and Orlistat, a peripherally acting lipase inhibitor will be available for treatment of obesity. Since all drugs employed should be applicable for years the latter substance might be especially useful for the mandatory longterm treatment of obese patients.