Papel do farmacêutico para a promoção do uso racional de medicamentos para o emagrecimento: uma revisão.

Abstract

The research developed in this work addressed the use of anti-obesity medications for aesthetic weight loss purposes. The misuse of these drugs has been increasing over time, being encouraged by the growth of the obese population and the culture of thinness imposed by the media. Anorectic substances can help in the weight loss process and in recovering the health of obese people, but the abuse of these medications puts the health of individuals at risk. As the pharmacist is directly involved with users when dispensing these medications and has the necessary knowledge, this professional plays an important role in providing assistance and raising awareness against the irregular use of these substances. Therefore, the objective of the research carried out in this work was to analyze the role played by pharmacists in raising awareness and guiding individuals looking for weight loss medications. An integrative literature review was carried out, searching for scientific articles published in the last 10 years (since 2014), in the main databases: PubMed, LILACS, SciELO and Google Scholar. The searches were carried out using the following descriptors in English: “Anti-Obesity Agents”; “Self Medication”; “Pharmaceutical Services”, and its references in Portuguese: “Antiobesity Drugs”; “Self-medication”; "Pharmaceutical care". 10 scientific articles were selected. The results showed that sibutramine and orlistate are the most used drugs against obesity, and that pharmacists have an important role in dispensing these drugs, whether in the initial guidance on the use and management of the medicine, or in monitoring the treatment, evaluating adverse effects. and results obtained. It was possible to conclude that pharmacists pass on knowledge regarding the pharmacological part of the desired weight loss medications, but there is a certain uncertainty regarding contraindications and adverse side effects. Therefore, it is necessary to expand studies that provide more precise scientific evidence on this, benefiting the quality of life and health of individuals as a whole.