Background: Lorcaserin is a serotonin 2C receptor agonist approved in the U.S. as adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in patients with a BMI ≥ 30 or ≥ 27 with at least one weight-related comorbidity. To date, there is limited data on the real-world use of lorcaserin for weight management, including in patients diagnosed with T2DM, prediabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed at the Scripps Clinic Weight Management Center. Patients were identified if they had at least one prescription for lorcaserin and were ≥ 18 years old. Weight change at 90 days and reason for discontinuation were assessed for patients with at least one day on pharmacotherapy. Patients with weight loss of ≥ 5% at 90 days were defined as medication “responders.”
Results: A total of 118 overweight and obese patients filled a prescription for lorcaserin. Of these, 69 (58%) remained on lorcaserin ≥ 90 days (median follow-up was 306 days). Mean age was 53 years old, 73% were female, and mean baseline weight was 102 kg (BMI= 36). For patients who had follow-up weight information available (N=65), overall mean weight loss at 90 days was -3.5 kg (-4%) from baseline, responders had a decrease -7 kg (-7%, n=24) versus -1 kg (-2%) for non-responders (n=41). For patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome (n=25), mean weight loss for responders (n=10, 40%) was -6.7 kg (-7%) versus -2.1 kg (-2%) for non-responders (n=15). Similar weight loss was observed in patients with T2DM and prediabetes.
Conclusion: These "real world" results represent a group of commercially insured overweight and obese patients and demonstrate that weight loss programs can use lorcaserin and expect to get significant weight loss when used according to the label.
S.R. Harris: Consultant; Self; Sanofi. Research Support; Self; Eisai Inc. R.L. Knoth: Employee; Self; Eisai Inc. X. Li: Employee; Self; Eisai Inc. I. Khilfeh: Employee; Self; Eisai Inc. J. Choi: Employee; Self; Eisai Inc. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Johnson & Johnson. A. Philis-Tsimikas: Advisory Panel; Self; AstraZeneca, Lilly Diabetes, Novo Nordisk A/S, Sanofi. Employee; Spouse/Partner; Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Research Support; Self; Dexcom, Inc., Glooko, Inc., National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Stock/Shareholder; Spouse/Partner; Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Novo Nordisk Inc. K. Fujioka: Consultant; Self; Eisai Inc.
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