Cardiovascular effects of phentermine and topiramate: a new drug combination for the treatment of obesity

J Hypertens. 2014 Jun;32(6):1178-88. doi: 10.1097/HJH.0000000000000145.

Abstract

Weight loss can reduce the increased cardiovascular risk associated with obesity. Pharmacotherapy is a recognized weight loss treatment option; however, cardiovascular safety issues with some previous weight loss drugs raise concerns for newly approved pharmacotherapies. Phentermine is approved for short-term obesity treatment in conjunction with lifestyle modifications, but is commonly used chronically. Topiramate, approved for treating epilepsy and preventing migraines, also induces weight loss. A single-dose combination of low-dose phentermine and topiramate extended-release was recently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration as an adjunct to lifestyle intervention for the chronic treatment of overweight/obese adults. This review summarizes and evaluates the cardiovascular risk/benefit profile associated with phentermine and topiramate, individually and in combination. Cardiovascular data associated with long-term use of phentermine and topiramate extended-release indicate that this combination may be a safe and effective option for reducing weight in overweight/obese patients at low-to-intermediate cardiovascular risk.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / administration & dosage
  • Appetite Depressants / administration & dosage
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / complications*
  • Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic
  • Comorbidity
  • Drug Combinations
  • Female
  • Fructose / administration & dosage
  • Fructose / analogs & derivatives*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / complications
  • Obesity / drug therapy*
  • Overweight / complications
  • Overweight / drug therapy
  • Phentermine / administration & dosage*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Risk Factors
  • Topiramate
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Weight Loss

Substances

  • Anti-Obesity Agents
  • Appetite Depressants
  • Drug Combinations
  • Topiramate
  • Fructose
  • Phentermine