Lorcaserin: a selective serotonin receptor (5-HT2C) agonist for the treatment of obesity

Lorcaserin is a selective serotonin receptor (5-HT2C) agonist that recently received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for chronic weight management. The efficacy of this drug in reducing body weight and improving metabolic parameters of obese patients has been demonstrated in three phase-3 clinical trials. The available evidence indicates that this drug does not show heart valve abnormalities, and the treatment improves the risk factors for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. However, the drug's manufacturer will be required to conduct postmarketing studies, including a long-term cardiovascular outcomes trial to assess the effect of Lorcaserin on the risk for major adverse cardiac events such as heart attack and stroke.