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Drug Insight: appetite suppressants
1Division of Clinical Obesity and Metabolism, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA. brayga@pbrc.edu
Nature Clinical Practice. Gastroenterology & Hepatology
|November 3, 2005
Summary
Appetite suppressants target brain neurochemicals to reduce food intake. These medications, including sympathomimetics and reuptake inhibitors, aid weight loss when combined with diet and exercise.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
- Weight Management
Background:
- Appetite suppressants are medications designed to reduce food intake.
- They primarily act on neurochemical transmitters in the central nervous system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms of action for appetite suppressant drugs.
- To discuss currently approved and investigational appetite suppressants.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of drugs affecting neurochemical transmitters.
- Categorization of appetite suppressants based on their mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Approved drugs include sympathomimetics (e.g., phentermine) for short-term use and sibutramine (a norepinephrine-5-hydroxytryptamine reuptake inhibitor) for long-term use.
- Mechanisms include norepinephrine/serotonin modulation, GABA/cannabinoid receptor binding, and peptide action.
Conclusions:
- Appetite suppressants can be valuable adjuncts to diet and physical activity for weight management.
- Further research is exploring novel mechanisms for appetite suppression.