The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7247 p609
3 May 2003

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RCP: Anti-obesity drugs (more)
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Report highlights monitoring requirement for anti-obesity drugs

The use of anti-obesity drugs should be closely monitored through the yellow card scheme, a new report from the Royal College of Physicians warns. Furthermore, the report states that all patients receiving drug therapy to help them lose weight should be regularly reviewed.

The RCP report, intended for use in conjunction with National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidance on orlistat (Xenical) and sibutramine (Reductil), says that anti-obesity drugs can be useful in specific cases. However, it suggests that there is little point in carrying on with drug treatment unless patients continue to make changes to their diet and lifestyle, and take more physical activity.

Patients identified as having priority for treatment include those with established comorbidities (type 2 diabetes, hypertension or dyslipidaemia), those who are physically restricted by their weight and those considered to be at high risk, such as patients with obese patients who developed type 2 diabetes with complications or whose parents died early from heart disease.

The report points out that not all patients respond to drug therapy and suggests that anti-obesity drugs be prescribed for no longer than 12 weeks in the first instance. It recommends that treatment be stopped for patients who have not achieved a 5 per cent weight reduction in this time. It does not recommend phentermine or diethylpropion in the absence of new information on their efficacy and safety.

The report highlights the need to monitor adverse reactions for drugs prescribed both in the National Health Service and privately. It warns that patients may seek continuous treatment from different sources.

"Anti-obesity drugs; guidance on appropriate prescribing and management" is available priced £8 from the RCP publications department (tel 020 7935 1174 ext 358).