Table 3.

Current Food and Drug Administration–approved antiobesity medications

Drug (FDA-approved dosage)	Mechanism of action	Contraindications
Phentermine (8 mg [short-acting], 15 mg capsule, 37.5 mg tablet)	Sympathomimetic amine	Cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, agitated states, history of drug use, hyperthyroidism, glaucoma, MAOI use within 14 d
Phentermine/topiramate ER (3.75/23 mg, 7.5/46 mg, 11.25/69 mg and 15/92 mg)	Combination of sympathomimetic amine, anorectic, and extended-release antiepileptic drug	Glaucoma, hyperthyroidism, MAOI use within 14 d
Naltrexone SR (8 mg)/bupropion SR (90 mg)	Combination opioid antagonist and aminoketone antidepressant	Uncontrolled hypertension, seizure disorders, anorexia nervosa or bulimia, chronic opioid use, MAOI use within 14 d, abrupt discontinuation of alcohol or seizure medications
Orlistat (60 mg OTC, 120 mg)	Pancreatic and gastric lipase inhibitor	Malabsorption syndrome, cholestasis
Liraglutide (3.0 mg)	GLP-1 agonist	Family or personal history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2

Abbreviations: ER, extended release; FDA, Food and Drug Administration; GLP-1, glucagon-like peptide 1; MAOI, monoamine oxidase inhibitor; OTC, over the counter; SR, sustained release.