16
Prescribing Obesity Medications
Medications Used Off-Label for the Treatment of Obesity
Drug Use/Class Common AEs
Metformin Biguanide (T2DM,
prediabetes)
Diarrhea, nausea/vomiting
(N/V), gas, fatigue, dyspepsia,
B12; hypoglycemia with
metabolic stress; lactic
acidosis if renal function
declines
Pramlintide Amylin analog
(adjunct to insulin
in type 1 diabetes
mellitus [T1DM]/
T2DM)
Nausea, HA, anorexia,
vomiting, abd pain, fatigue;
hypoglycemia (with insulin)
Topiramate Antiseizure/
migraine
prevention
Metabolic acidosis, cognitive
slowing, paresthesia,
somnolence, dizziness,
fatigue, dysgeusia, abd pain
Bupropion Antidepressant Dry mouth, HA, agitation,
nausea, dizziness,
constipation, tremor
Lisdexamfetamine Stimulant
(attention-def icit
hyperactivity
disorder [ADHD],
binge-eating
disorder [BED])
Anorexia, dry mouth,
insomnia, upper abd pain,
irritability
Zonisamide Antiseizure Somnolence, dizziness,
anorexia, nausea, HA,
irritability, agitation, fatigue,
concentration/memory
issues
