New Drugs against Obesity

The treatment of obesity has advanced considerably in recent years with the introduction of novel medications such as Wegovy, Saxenda, Ozempic, Monjaro, Rybelsus, Mysimba, Contrave, Belviq, etc. These medications usually affect receptors that regulate appetite and metabolism, and have helped many patients to lose weight. The next generation of anti-obesity drugs, such as tirzepatid, a dual receptor agonist, promises even greater success. In clinical studies, tirzepatid has shown impressive results in weight loss. It enables better regulation of metabolism and appetite, leading to even greater weight loss. In addition to the development of new drugs, the question of affordable generics for existing active ingredients also arises. Generics help to make effective treatments available to a wider population. One example is liraglutide, the main component of Saxenda. Now that this drug is available as a generic, the cost of treatment could soon decrease significantly. This is particularly important given that many weight-loss drugs are expensive and many patients have limited access to them. Future drug treatments may focus on novel targets, such as the melanocortin-4 receptor, which plays an important role in the regulation of energy expenditure and food intake. Research suggests that targeting this receptor could lead to even more sustainable and effective weight loss therapies. Another promising approach is personalized medicine, in which treatments are tailored to an individual's unique genetic and metabolic profile. This could significantly improve the efficacy of weight loss therapies by adapting treatments to the biological needs of the individual. Patients who struggle to lose weight due to genetic predispositions could particularly benefit from such tailored approaches. The combination of new active ingredients, the availability of generics and personalized therapies suggests that in the coming years, the medical treatment of obesity could become more and more individualized and accessible. This will represent a significant advance in the fight against the global obesity epidemic. (Revision status: October 2024)