Pharmacotherapy is an efficient, evidence-based remedy for individuals residing with weight problems, as a part of a long-term, individualized remedy plan. An up to date pharmacotherapy guideline for weight problems administration in adults displays new proof and Well being Canada–accepted drugs, with elevated emphasis on individualized and customized care.
“Pharmacotherapy for weight problems administration in adults: 2025 medical apply guideline replace” is revealed in Canadian Medical Affiliation Journal .
“Pharmacotherapy may help individuals residing with weight problems enhance general well being, not simply shed pounds,” says Dr. Sue D. Pedersen, MD, endocrinologist and weight problems medication specialist in Calgary, and lead writer of this guideline.
“The aim of weight problems drugs is to enhance metabolic, mechanical, and/or psychological well being, and enhance high quality of life, incorporating remedy objectives which are necessary to every particular person affected person.”
The rule contains six new and 7 revised suggestions, reflecting the newest proof for the reason that 2022 and 2020 variations of the rule. It takes the emphasis off physique mass index (BMI) and focuses on an individualized strategy that makes use of extra indicators, equivalent to waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, adjusted for intercourse and ethnicity the place acceptable, and the presence of obesity-related issues.
“Weight problems pharmacotherapy is a secure and efficient choice to assist long-term weight problems care,” says Dr. Pedersen.
“It’s one among three pillars of remedy outlined within the full Canadian Grownup Weight problems Scientific Apply Guideline, with different pillars being behavioral and psychological and surgical approaches. Weight problems remedy ought to at all times be tailor-made to every individual’s particular well being wants, values, and preferences. Suggestions additionally assist sustained use of weight problems pharmacotherapy as a part of a long-term technique to take care of enhancements in well being and high quality of life.”
Suggestions embody two new drugs, tirzepatide and setmelanotide, in addition to new suggestions for obesity-related issues equivalent to atherosclerotic heart problems, coronary heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, osteoarthritis, and extra.
The rule recommends towards utilizing compounded weight problems drugs due to considerations about content material, security, efficacy, and high quality.
The rule panel notes that solely Alberta acknowledges weight problems as a power illness. Limitations to entry—equivalent to value, stigma, and restricted drug plan protection—proceed to stop Canadians from receiving remedy and assist.
“The shortage of recognition of weight problems as a power illness by private and non-private payers, well being techniques, the general public, and media has a trickle-down impact, limiting entry to remedy (e.g., associated to remedy prices),” the authors conclude.
Extra data:
Sue D. Pedersen, et al. Pharmacotherapy for weight problems administration in adults: 2025 medical apply guideline replace, Canadian Medical Affiliation Journal (2025). DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.250502
The complete guideline and associated instruments may be discovered on the Weight problems Canada web site.
Quotation:
Pharmacotherapy for the administration of weight problems—an up to date guideline (2025, August 11)
retrieved 11 August 2025
from https://medicalxpress.com/information/2025-08-pharmacotherapy-obesity-guideline.html
This doc is topic to copyright. Other than any truthful dealing for the aim of personal research or analysis, no
half could also be reproduced with out the written permission. The content material is offered for data functions solely.
