Multicentre, placebo-controlled trial of lorcaserin for weight management in Chinese population.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of lorcaserin on body weight, cardiovascular risk factors, and safety in obese patients in Taiwan.

METHODS: In this double-blind, randomised controlled trial, 171 obese adults were assigned to receive lorcaserin at a dose of 10mg, or placebo, twice a day for 24weeks. Diet and exercise counselling were given to all patients through the treatment period. Primary outcomes were proportion of patients achieving at least 5% and 10% reduction in body weight and mean change in body weight. Safety and tolerability endpoints such as Beck Depression Inventory-II, blood biochemistry, vital signs, and electrocardiogram were monitored.

RESULTS: More patients receiving lorcaserin lost at least 5% body weight than receiving placebo (52.4% and 28.1%, P=0.001) with an average weight reduction of 5.8kg (95% CI: -6.91, -4.70) in lorcaserin group and those of 3.6kg (95% CI: -4.95, -2.33) in placebo group (P<0.05). The most common adverse effect with greater incidence in the lorcaserin group was self-limited dizziness. Serious adverse effect were rare and was reported by slightly more patients taking placebo than lorcaserin.

CONCLUSIONS: In this multicentre, double-blinded placebo-controlled trial, lorcaserin was effective and well-tolerable in Asia group.