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description Monograph

Maximizing Outcomes: The Impact of Oral Medications on Weight Management

Target Audience: Pharmacist

star star star star_outline star_outline 3.1/5 based on 51 ratings
schedule 2.00 Contact Hours (0.20 CEUs)
category Disease State Management/Drug Therapy
local_activity Knowledge

Course Overview

Oral anti-obesity medications (AOMs) serve as valuable tools in the management of obesity. Current guidelines advocate for a multimodal approach to obesity treatment, incorporating lifestyle interventions such as diet and exercise alongside pharmacotherapy when appropriate. The decision to initiate an oral AOM should be personalized, considering the weight loss goals, the comorbidities of the patient, and the safety profile of the medication. This educational activity will provide an in-depth review of the mechanisms of action, dosing strategies, and the efficacy and safety profiles of oral AOMs. Additionally, this activity will emphasize the critical role of long-term monitoring, shared decision-making, and interprofessional collaboration in ensuring these therapies are used safely and effectively to optimize patient outcomes.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:

  • Compare and Contrast the mechanisms of oral anti-obesity medications (AOMs) in weight management
  • Describe the efficacy and safety of oral AOMs
  • Identify interprofessional collaboration strategies to optimize treatment outcomes
  • Educate patients on the appropriate use of oral AOMs

Faculty

Authors & Activity Planners
Liz Fredrickson, PharmD, BCPS
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Liz Fredrickson is an Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Northeast Ohio Medical University College of Pharmacy. She serves as the Director of Instructional Labs and is course director for the Basic Pharmaceutics Lab and Parenteral Products and Parenteral Products Lab courses.
Pamela Sardo, Pharm.D., B.S.
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Pamela Sardo, Pharm.D., B.S. is a licensed pharmacist and Freelance Medical Writer at Sardo Solutions in Texas.
L. Austin Fredrickson, MD, FACP
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Dr. Fredrickson is an assistant professor of internal medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University, where he serves as core faculty and teaches diagnostics, therapeutics, clinical skills, and health humanities. He is board-certified in general internal medicine and practices rural primary care.
Susan Bowlin,DNP, FNP-BC, ACNP-BC, CBN
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Dr. Susan Bowlin, DNP, FNP-BC, ACNP-BC, CBN, is a double-board certified nurse practitioner with over 25 years of experience in family practice, acute care, and obesity medicine. She is the founder of Priority One Weight Loss, where she specializes in evidence-based obesity care, empowering patients to achieve sustainable health and vitality. Dr. Bowlin holds a Certificate of Advanced Education in Obesity Medicine. She is a national speaker and educator on cardiometabolic disease and a founding member and treasurer of the Dallas Obesity Society. An active leader in her field, Dr. Bowlin is dedicated to transforming lives through compassionate care, patient-centered solutions, and innovative treatment modalities.

I. Introduction

II. Mechanisms and Effectiveness of Oral AOMs

A. Orlistat
B. Phentermine
C. Phentermine-Topiramate
D. Naltrexone-Bupropion

III. Comparison of Anti-Obesity Drugs for Obesity Management

IV. Initiating and Stopping Oral AOMs

A. Initiating Oral AOMs
B. Evaluating Treatment Response and Stopping Rules
C. Discontinuating Oral AOMs and Managing Weight Regain

V. The Role of Collaborative Practice Models in Obesity Treatment

VI. Access, Affordability, and Adherence Challenges

VII. Summary

From April 21, 2025 through April 21, 2028, participants must:

  1. Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
  2. Study the section entitled "educational activity"
  3. Complete the Course Test and Evaluation form. The Course Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Course Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)

Credit for this course will be automatically uploaded to CPE Monitor®.

Faculty Planner Disclosure

The following individuals were involved in developing this activity: L. Austin Fredrickson, MD, FACP, Liz Fredrickson, PharmD, BCPS, Susan Bowlin, DNP, FNP-BC, ACNP-BC, CBN, and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. Austin Frederickson, Liz Frederickson, and Pamela Sardo have no conflict of interest or financial relationship or commercial or financial support relevant to this activity to report or disclose in the development of this activity. Susan Bowlin is a member of the Speaker’s Bureau for Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. Any potential conflicts of interest were mitigated.

Unlabeled Use Disclosure

The information provided in this course is general in nature and it is solely designed to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant’s professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, must consult with their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization, for guidelines, protocols, and procedures they are to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures but is for academic purposes only, and this course’s limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses are constantly changing, and any person taking this course understands that such person must make an independent review of medication information prior to any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course, or course material.

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Accreditation

In support of improving patient care, RxCE.com is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.