Use of Drugs in the Treatment of Obesity

Abstract

Only a few of the various drugs used in the treatment of obesity have been shown to be more effective than placebos. Thyroid hormone has little effect on weight loss unless given to very obese, hospitalized patients on a restricted diet. In studies comparing a placebo with an amphetamine and with phentermine, weight loss was greater in the groups of patients receiving the latter agents than in the control groups.