Paediatric obesity: can medications help

The purpose of this study is to review current and emergent antiobesity drugs in paediatrics.

Understanding of the pathophysiology of obesity is improving, but access to antiobesity drugs continues to be challenging, especially in paediatrics. Few antiobesity drug trials have been conducted in paediatrics and postmarketing findings remain a source of concern. New approaches by the European Medicines Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration have provided guidance for the development of antiobesity drugs. However, few are in the pipeline and high-quality trials in paediatrics are lacking.

We are providing a summary of available antiobesity drug therapies, barriers to treatment and emerging pharmacotherapies.