(1) appetite suppressant. By inhibiting the reuptake of catecholamine and serotonin, it affects the feeding or satiety center of hypothalamus, increases physiological satiety, inhibits appetite, reduces energy intake and loses weight. Therefore, these drugs belong to the diet drugs that act on the central nervous system.
Among them, amphetamine and amfepramone only inhibit catecholamine reuptake, fenfluramine only inhibits serotonin reuptake, while moindole and sibutramine both inhibit catecholamine and serotonin reuptake.
(2) Drugs that inhibit intestinal digestion and absorption. These include lipase inhibitor orlistat, and gastric emptying inhibitors include dietary fiber, sucrose polyester and sucralfate. Metformin can delay and reduce the absorption of glucose in gastrointestinal tract. Because it acts on the periphery, these drugs are non-central weight-loss drugs.
(3) Drugs that increase energy consumption. Hormones include thyroid hormone, anabolic steroid (norbornyl propionate), growth hormone, etc. Central stimulants include ephedrine and caffeine.
(4) Other drugs under development. β3 adrenergic receptor agonist, insulin sensitizer, leptin, neuropeptide Y, uncoupling protein, etc.
(5) Chinese medicine. In traditional Chinese medicine, ephedra, hawthorn, rhubarb and so on. It has the function of losing weight. Zhibituo is an effective drug to reduce blood fat and also has the function of losing weight.