Obesity

Obesity: the prevention, identification, assessment and management of overweight and obesity in adults and children

Summary

CG43 Obesity replaces the following pieces of guidance:

• TA22 Obesity - orlistat
• TA31 Obesity - sibutramine
• TA46 Obesity (morbid) - surgery

Sibutramine (Reductil): marketing authorisation suspended

On 21 January 2010, the MHRA announced the suspension of the marketing authorisation for the obesity drug sibutramine (Reductil). This follows a review by the European Medicines Agency which found that the cardiovascular risks of sibutramine outweigh its benefits. Emerging evidence suggests that there is an increased risk of non-fatal heart attacks and strokes with this medicine.

The MHRA advises that:

• Prescribers should not issue any new prescriptions for sibutramine (Reductil) and should review the treatment of patients taking the drug.
• Pharmacists should stop dispensing Reductil and should advise patients to make an appointment to see their doctor at the next convenient time.
• People who are currently taking Reductil should make a routine appointment with their doctor to discuss alternative measures to lose weight, including use of diet and exercise regimens. Patients may stop treatment before their appointment if they wish.

NICE clinical guideline 43 recommended sibutramine for the treatment of obesity in certain circumstances. These recommendations have now been withdrawn and healthcare professionals should follow the MHRA advice.

 

Guidance documents

• NICE guidance PDF format  | MS Word format
• CG43 Obesity: full guideline
• CG43 Obesity: quick reference guide 1 for local authorities, schools and early years providers, workplaces and the public.
• CG43 Obesity: quick reference guide 2 for the NHS
• CG43 Obesity: full guideline (MS Word format)
• CG43 Obesity: understanding NICE guidance - treatment for people who are overweight or obese (amended July 2008)
• CG43 Obesity: understanding NICE guidance - preventing obesity and staying a healthy weight (amended July 2008)
• CG43 Obesity: understanding NICE guidance - preventing obesity and staying a healthy weight (MS Word format) (amended July 2008)
• CG43 Obesity: understanding NICE guidance - treatment for people who are overweight or obese (MS Word format) (amended July 2008)
• CG43 Atal gordewdra a chynnal pwysau iach: (non NHS) deall canllawiau NICE (fformat MS Word)
• CG43 Triniaeth ar gyfer pobl sydd dros bwysau neu sy'n ordew: (NHS) deall canllawiau NICE (fformat MS Word)

Implementing this guidance

• Costing report
• Costing template
• Slide set
• Audit support
• Support tool

• Obesity: presenter slides
• Bariatric surgical service commissioning guide
• Obesity: online educational tool

Other information

• Background information

Expected review date: November 2011