Abstract
For the past 4 decades the incidence of obesity in the United States has increased to epidemic proportions. Clinicians are struggling to treat obesity more effectively and to reduce the concomitant risks. Although there are few Food and Drug Administration-approved medications for weight loss currently available on the market, there are many antiobesity agents in clinical trials. The effects are modest, thus far, but weight loss is greater than with diet alone, and the results show significant improvements in the health profile. The purpose of this article is to provide the rationale for medication use and an overview of current and future medications for weight loss.