Dr Hall Reviews Weight-Loss Pill Plenity

Dr Harriet Hall wrote a brief review of the new weight-loss drug Plenity at Science-Based Medicine. Her conclusion:

So far, effectiveness has been shown in only one placebo-controlled trial. Diet and exercise must be continued. It doesn’t work well for everyone: 6 out of 10 users lost at least 5% of their body weight; the other 4 didn’t. It appears to have fewer side effects than other weight loss products. Not a way to achieve ideal weight, but probably worth trying for patients who understand that it is only an aid and not a final solution. I hope they will be encouraged enough by a 22-pound weight loss to continue losing weight with or without Plenity.

Overweight and obese folks with diabetes also tend to lose weight with the new once-weekly injection therapy called tirzepatide, brand name Moujaro. (Where do they get these names?!) And remember that bariatric surgery is often very effective at weight loss and controlling diabetes…if you survive the operation.

Steve Parker, M.D.