Drugs

The common drugs (anorectic agents) currently in use are supposed to reduce appetite. Often they cause severe side-effects, and not all patients respond well to them. Hormones (thyroid hormones) that accelerate the metabolism and thus increase caloric demand, as well as dehydrating drugs (diuretic agents) should not be taken for medical reasons. Likewise there is definitely no indication to use laxatives for weight reduction.

Based on health-related political influences and the huge commercial potential, extensive research is currently being conducted to find alternative drug-based therapy methods. Currently a groundbreaking success is not really expected in the near future though. The recently introduced Xenical™ (Orlistat; reduction of fat absorption in the small bowel by blocking gastric and pancreatic lipase) achieves a weight-loss of about 10%. This makes it a promising product in mild cases of adiposity, in cases of morbid adiposity though it can only be used as a complimentary treatment. There are also other drugs which influence satiety (serotonin-agonistic agents) and the psyche (psychopharmaceutical).