Obesity: A Focus on Pharmacotherapy

Obesity is a condition associated with a vast number of health complications. Clinicians should initially counsel obese patients (defined as a body mass index >= 30 kg/m(2)) on lifestyle modifications to achieve and sustain weight loss. The addition of pharmacologic therapy can be considered in patients who do not have satisfactory outcomes with this approach. Currently, several pharmacologic therapies have received Food and Drug Administration approval. This article reviews pharmacologic data and relevant clinical literature with which a nurse practitioner should be familiar when prescribing and evaluating the safety and efficacy of weight loss medications in obese patients.