Table 1.

Weight-loss medications: past, current, and future

Medication	Availability	Serious adverse effects
Withdrawn
Fenfluramine	1973–1997	Cardiac valvular insufficiency and pulmonary hypertension
Dexfenfluramine	1996–1997	Cardiac valvular insufficiency and pulmonary hypertension
Phenylpropanolamine*	1960–2000	Hemorrhagic stroke
Rimonabant	2006–2009	Depression and suicidal ideation
Sibutramine*	1997–2010	Nonfatal myocardial infarction and nonfatal stroke (in subjects with preexisting cardiovascular conditions)
Current
Phentermine#	1959–present	Palpitations and elevated blood pressure
Orlistat	1999–present	Liver injury
Phase 3 trials and current applications to FDA/EMA
Lorcaserin		Potential valvular heart disease and psychiatric and cognitive disorders
Bupropion/naltrexone		Seizures, palpitations, and transient blood pressure elevations
Topiramate/phentermine		Depression, suicidal ideation, cardiovascular events, memory loss, and birth defects
GLP-1 analogs		Pancreatitis

EMA, European Medicines Agency; FDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; GLP-1, glucagon-like peptide 1.

*Phenylpropanolamine is still available in some European countries and sibutramine in some South American countries.

#Phentermine is one of a class of sympathomimetic drugs that also includes benzphetamine, diethylpropion, and phendimetrazine.