EDMONTON, Alberta, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Canadian researchers found patients taking anti-obesity drugs may only see "modest" weight loss and many will remain obese or overweight.
The meta-analysis, published in the British Medical Journal's Online First, looked at the long-term effectiveness of anti-obesity medications and found that three drugs recommended for long-term use -- orlistat, sibutramine and rimonabant -- reduced weight by less than 11 pounds, less than 5 percent of total body weight.
The researchers at the University of Alberta and University of Calgary reviewed the evidence from 30 placebo-controlled trials where adults took anti-obesity drugs for a year or longer. The mean weight of the study participants was 220 pounds and mean body mass index level 35 to 36.
Raj Padwal and colleagues found the drugs reduced weight from about 6 pounds to 10 pounds, but that patients taking the weight loss pills were significantly more likely to achieve 5 percent to 10 percent weight loss, compared to those who took the placebo.
The researchers said side effects were recorded with all three drugs including an increased the risk of mood disorders such as depression or anxiety.
