ABSTRACT
The rising incidence and prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in tandem with the obesity pandemic has highlighted the importance of developing safe and effective weight loss strategies in at-risk patients. This chapter reviews the mechanisms of the action, efficacy, utility and safety of these Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved weight loss medications, as they pertain to the management of NAFLD. Furthermore, in light of rising public interest, it discusses the role and safety of over-the-counter, alternative weight loss therapies in patients with NAFLD. The efficacy of orlistat in patients with NAFL and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis has been evaluated in three randomized controlled trials. A combination preparation of phentermine and extended-release topiramate was approved by the FDA in 2012 for patients with obesity, preferentially in those with no history of cardiovascular disease. Combination naltrexone-bupropion was approved by the FDA for chronic obesity management in September 2014.
