What role for weight-loss medication?

PREVIEW

Because of the bad press about weight-loss drugs in recent years, physicians and patients alike may be suspicious of all such medications. However, the agents currently approved for long-term use warrant a second look. For overweight patients who need to lose weight to prevent or lessen the risk of obesity-related disease, these drugs can help achieve medically significant weight loss when used as an adjunct to lifestyle changes. Here, Drs Wyatt and Hill dispel some myths about weight-loss medications and suggest ways to maximize their effectiveness when prescribed in selected patients.