Few patients use weight-loss medications despite FDA approval

More than a third of adults in the U.S. have obesity. Lifestyle changes produce modest weight loss and are appropriate for everyone with a weight problem. Surgery is an effective treatment but it is costly, carries risk and is only appropriate for a limited number of people. Weight loss medications can be effective, and guidelines suggest obese patients and their doctors should consider their use for selected patients. "We looked at how commonly weight loss medications were prescribed to patients for whom guidelines suggest this treatment would be appropriate," said lead author Daniel Bessesen, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Chief of Endocrinology at the University of Colorado and Denver Health Medical Center.