The worldwide epidemic of obesity has made the development of effective tre
atment ever more urgent. Appropriate use of medication for the treatment of
obesity may benefit patients at risk for developing diabetes, hypertension
, coronary artery disease, osteoarthritis or gall bladder disease. In addit
ion, with the appearance of very safe medications, short-term treatment for
the relief of the stigma associated with obesity may also be valuable. The
currently available medications for obesity work either by reducing fat di
gestion or by acting on receptor systems in the brain. Both have potential
side-effects, but may be useful alone or in combination. The expansion of k
nowledge about the control of obesity offers the hope that many new agents
will become available over the next decade.