Recent advancements in drug treatment of obesity

By 2030, obesity may cost the NHS approximately £2 billion each year.

• Obesity prevalence in the U.K. is the highest in Europe.
• Lifestyle modification is the primary approach for obesity treatment, with medications serving as additional support.
• In 2009, 1.45 million prescriptions related to obesity were filled, indicating high demand for pharmacotherapy.
• Orlistat (Xenical) is currently the only approved long-term medication for obesity in the U.K.
• Clinical trials suggest that orlistat leads to significantly greater weight loss compared to placebo.
• The side effects of orlistat may limit its use, highlighting the need for better-tolerated obesity medications.

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