Formulary Management of 2 New Agents: Lorcaserin and Phentermine/Topiramate for Weight Loss

BACKGROUND: Obesity may lead to the development of multiple chronic disease states, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Over a half billion adults worldwide are affected by obesity, and more than two-thirds of adults are either obese or overweight in the United States. Diet and exercise have been the mainstays of treatment in this population; however, once failed, noninvasive, long-term effective treatment modality is lacking, and medications may potentially fill the void. Lorcaserin and phentermine/topiramate were approved by the FDA in June 2012 and July 2012, respectively, as adjuncts to diet and exercise for chronic weight management of obese (body mass index [BMI]≥30 kg/m2) or overweight (BMI≥27 kg/m2) individuals with comorbidities. OBJECTIVE: To review the phase 3 trials of lorcaserin and phentermine/topiramate and provide managed care considerations that may be taken into account as a result. METHODS: A MEDLINE review was performed for articles published and availab...