Current and forthcoming pharmacotherapies for adolescent obesity: Evidence-based review

Core Tip

Core Tip: This minireview demonstrates that current evidence confirms that lifestyle interventions are insufficient for severe cases, proposing pharmacotherapy as a clinical necessity, where glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists, especially semaglutide, are positioned as the current standard of care; while critically evaluating the horizon of dual agonists and other combinations. The article identifies new structural barriers such as high costs, global shortages, and strict insurance requirements. It highlights the urgency of conducting new direct comparisons emphasizing the need to integrate data from ongoing Food and Drug Administration-mandated post-marketing surveillance and prospective registries to monitor outcomes in pubertal maturation, bone health, and neurobiological impact.