The average age of patients who experienced side effects was 41, with women accounting for the majority of cases. (Image courtesy of Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Sept. 8 (Korea Bizwire) — Among the obesity treatment drugs prescribed in South Korea, Phentermine, known as a weight loss pill, has the highest number of reported side effects cases.
A joint research team from Kyung Hee University’s College of Pharmacy and Ajou University’s College of Medicine and College of Pharmacy analyzed 13,766 cases reported to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety between 2010 and 2019 as side effects occurring after the use of obesity treatment drugs.
The analysis showed that Phentermine and Saxenda (Liraglutide) had the most severe side effects. The research team published the results of the analysis in the international academic journal ‘Journal of Global Health.’
The average age of patients who experienced side effects was 41, with women accounting for the majority of cases (89 percent).
Phentermine suppresses appetite by activating neurotransmitters that reduce the sensation of hunger and increase the feeling of satiety. Currently, it is classified as a psychotropic drug.
Saxenda increases the feeling of satiety and suppresses appetite by slowing stomach emptying.
Originally developed for diabetes treatment, its scope of application expanded as its effectiveness in treating obesity became evident.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
