Medicines for long-term obesity management.

Obesity is always genetic or epigenetic in origin in an obesogenic environment. Dietary therapy is required for weight loss. Drugs to suppress hunger and increase satiety may assist while losing weight and are essential for most patients in the weight maintenance period. A combination of drugs may be needed. A personalised approach must be used when selecting the appropriate weight loss drug for the patient. This considers possible contraindications, the method of administration and adverse effects, and includes discussing the cost of the treatment. Several drugs do not have an approved indication in Australia for weight loss.