Since the introduction of medicines for the management of obesity in the 1930s, many compounds have been tried. Most of them reduce body weight by small amounts, and several of them are no longer marketed for obesity because of their side effects. Out of 25 anti-obesity medications withdrawn from the market between 1964 and 2009, 23 acted by altering the functions of chemical neurotransmitters in the brain. The most common side effects of these drugs that led to withdrawals were mental disturbances, cardiac side effects, and drug abuse or drug dependence. Deaths were reportedly associated with seven products.
since The inTroDuctIon of meDIcines FoR THE manAGeMent of obESiTy iN THe 1930S, mANy cOmpoUnds HavE bEEn tRied. most of thEM rEduCe boDy WeighT by SmaLl amOUnTs, AnD SeVeraL of tHEm are no loNger markeTEd fOr obeSiTy beCaUse OF tHeiR Side efFEcTs. OuT of 25 anti-obeSitY mediCAtions withDrawn fRom the maRket betweeN 1964 and 2009, 23 acted bY AlTerINg The fuNCtiOnS oF chemiCal NeurOtRAnsmitTers iN The BraIn. The moST cOmmoN siDE effecTS of TheSe DRugs that lEd to wItHdrawaLS WERe mental dIsTUrbANceS, cARdIaC side EffEcts, and DRUG aBusE OR drUg DepeNdeNce. deatHs WerE rePorTedly assocIaTeD with SeveN produCts.