INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a rapidly increasing global health problem. The rates of obesity have tripled over the past three decades and are predicted to rise even further. The need for safe and effective therapies is great and has gone unmet. AREAS COVERED: This review will summarize the emerging pharmacological treatments for obesity. The research discussed includes Phase III and early-phase clinical trials as well as recently published data regarding emerging treatment therapies. EXPERT OPINION: The new generation of anti-obesity drugs offers hope in the management of obesity, but no single agent is likely to be a panacea. Treatment of obesity will likely use multiple medications to achieve the desired result. Additionally, in light of the challenges faced by drug companies in order to gain FDA approval for an obesity therapy, the future approach may be to seek approval for obesity-related co-morbidities. This approach would enhance the ability of physicians to practice 'weight-centric' disease management.
