Lorcaserin Hcl for the treatment of obesity.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a major health priority necessitating safe and effective strategies to address the obesity epidemic. Lorcaserin is a serotonergic agonist specific to the 5HT- 2C receptor approved for chronic management of obesity in patients with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2) or a BMI ≥ 27 kg/m(2) with comorbidities related to obesity. AREAS COVERED: In this paper, the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of lorcaserin are reviewed followed by a discussion of efficacy and safety data from major clinical trials. EXPERT OPINION: Lorcaserin is a unique highly selective serotonergic agonist designed to mitigate the risks associated with previous agents in this class. At therapeutic doses, it is well tolerated and produces modest but clinically meaningful weight loss with significant improvement in cardiometabolic parameters. Therapeutic efficacy should be assessed at 12 weeks (≥ 5% weight loss) to identify responders who will derive maximum weight loss and metabolic benefit from long-term therapy. The results of the ongoing cardiovascular outcomes trial (CAMELLIA TIMI 61) will determine the role of lorcaserin in primary prevention of diabetes in overweight/obese individuals and its use in the high-risk population of patients with established cardiovascular disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors.