Open Access

Advancements and challenges in the management of obesity using pharmacotherapy (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Saqer S. Alotaibi
    • Essam H. Eldrehmy
    • Sarah M. Albogami
    • Adel Alkhedaide
    • Omima Dahab
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: June 25, 2025     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2025.12912
  • Article Number: 162
  • Copyright: © Alotaibi et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License [CC BY_NC 4.0].

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Abstract

Obesity is a chronic, recurrent and progressive disease that is a major public health issue, contributing to disability, morbidity and mortality worldwide. The global increase in obesity prevalence has been accompanied by an increase in weight‑related comorbidity and mortality rates. To address this growing public health issue, the development and use of anti‑obesity medications (AOMs) have escalated in recent years. The present review aims to discuss the most recent information on AOMs and the health effects of their regular use. The gastrointestinal (GI)‑hypothalamic axis has been revealed to play a key role in the regulation of food intake and energy expenditure, which has led to the development of AOMs to target peptides secreted from the GI tract, including glucagon‑like peptide‑1 (GLP‑1). GLP‑1 receptor agonists are among the most widely investigated drugs in the rapidly developing field of hormone‑based AOMs. However, most GLP‑based drugs cause undesirable side effects. A promising approach to combat cardiometabolic conditions, including diabetes and obesity, is to reduce food consumption while also raising energy expenditure. Notably, novel candidate anti‑obesity drugs have been shown to activate neurokinin 2 receptors (NK2Rs) in mice, leading to appetite suppression without the side effects observed with previous generations of treatments. However, additional research is necessary to address the side effects associated with AOMs, particularly those affecting the GI tract, gallbladder and pancreas. Furthermore, the potential of NK2R activation merits investigation in clinical trials, particularly in high‑risk patients.
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August-2025
Volume 30 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

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Spandidos Publications style
Alotaibi SS, Eldrehmy EH, Albogami SM, Alkhedaide A and Dahab O: Advancements and challenges in the management of obesity using pharmacotherapy (Review). Exp Ther Med 30: 162, 2025.
APA
Alotaibi, S.S., Eldrehmy, E.H., Albogami, S.M., Alkhedaide, A., & Dahab, O. (2025). Advancements and challenges in the management of obesity using pharmacotherapy (Review). Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 30, 162. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2025.12912
MLA
Alotaibi, S. S., Eldrehmy, E. H., Albogami, S. M., Alkhedaide, A., Dahab, O."Advancements and challenges in the management of obesity using pharmacotherapy (Review)". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 30.2 (2025): 162.
Chicago
Alotaibi, S. S., Eldrehmy, E. H., Albogami, S. M., Alkhedaide, A., Dahab, O."Advancements and challenges in the management of obesity using pharmacotherapy (Review)". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 30, no. 2 (2025): 162. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2025.12912