Appetite suppressants as adjuncts in the treatment of obesity.

Obesity is a common and challenging problem that often leads to other medical problems, including type II diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and degenerative joint disease. Weight loss, which is central to the dietary treatments for obesity, is often of limited success. Recent studies have documented the safety and efficacy of certain appetite suppressants for assisting in long-term weight loss and maintenance of weight loss. Since appetite suppressants, alone or in combination, have been documented to be safe and effective adjuncts for treating obesity and complicated obesity, physicians should consider using these agents in the pharmacotherapy for obese patients.