Over the last few years, several randomized clinical trials have shown that novel anti-obesity drugs including, for instance, GLP-1 agonists (i.e. semaglutide) and combination GLP-1/GIP analogues (i.e. tirzepatide) – are safe and effective, inducing a degree of weight loss (up to 20% in some cases) never achieved by drugs before.
Some of these drugs have very recently become commercially available in many countries, offering a valuable treatment option especially for those patients with lesser degrees of obesity, not suited for bariatric surgery.
Effective pharmacological approaches provide opportunities for combination therapy (i.e. pharmacotherapy as adjuvant and/or neo-adjuvant treatment in combination with surgery) for more severe forms of obesity or recidivism after bariatric surgery.
