Oral Superabsorbent Hydrogel (Plenity) for Weight Management

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Gastroenterology
• Obesity Medicine

Background:

• Obesity is a complex global health issue requiring diverse therapeutic strategies.
• Current pharmacological anti-obesity therapeutics (AOTs) often have systemic effects and specific comorbidity requirements.
• There is a need for novel weight management agents with different mechanisms of action and broader applicability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the mechanism of action, clinical trial findings, adverse events, and therapeutic potential of oral superabsorbent hydrogel (OSH) for weight management.
• To evaluate OSH as a first-in-class, nonsystemic agent for patients with overweight and obesity.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted using MEDLINE and Google Scholar (September 1999 to July 2020).
• Search terms included "oral superabsorbent hydrogel," "Plenity," and "Gelesis100."
• Human studies were prioritized for efficacy, safety, and drug interaction data.

Main Results:

• Oral superabsorbent hydrogel (OSH) functions via space occupancy in the gastrointestinal tract, promoting satiety.
• Clinical trials demonstrate modest weight loss efficacy with OSH.
• OSH exhibits a favorable safety profile, with no significant difference in adverse events compared to placebo.

Conclusions:

• OSH is a unique, nonsystemic AOT indicated for patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 40 kg/m².
• Its mechanism and safety profile may allow for earlier intervention in weight management, including patients with lower BMI ranges.
• OSH represents a new therapeutic option addressing a gap in current weight management strategies.