Which medication is listed for obesity management in youths aged 16 and older (tertiary care)?

• A. Orlistat
• B. Sibutramine
• C. VLC diet
• D. Exercise

Answer: (B)

In obesity management for youths 16 and older in tertiary care, the medication listed is Sibutramine because it acts centrally to suppress appetite. It works by blocking the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, which increases satiety and helps reduce caloric intake when used alongside diet and exercise as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Historically, it has been considered for older adolescents who haven’t achieved weight loss with lifestyle changes alone.

Keep in mind that safety concerns led to major restrictions on this drug in many places, due to increased cardiovascular risks, so its use is now highly limited or not recommended in current practice. The other options are non-medication approaches (a VLC diet and exercise) or a different medication with a different mechanism (orlistat, which inhibits fat absorption and has its own age approvals).