The article “Successful Management of the Obese Patient” (June 15, 2000, page 3615) contained an error in Table 1 (page 3618). Orlistat (Xenical) is incorrectly listed as a DEA schedule IV medication; orlistat does not have a DEA listing. The corrected table is reprinted below. An error was also made in the biography; Dr. Poston is co-director of behavioral cardiology research, not of the residency program.
TABLE 1 Medications Labeled by the FDA for the Treatment of Obesity
| Agent | DEA schedule | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Diethylpropion (Tenuate) | IV | Noradrenergic |
| Mazindol (Sanorex) | IV | Noradrenergic |
| Orlistat* (Xenical) | — | Lipase inhibitor |
| Phendimetrazine (Plegine) | III | Noradrenergic |
| Phentermine (Fastin) | IV | Noradrenergic |
| Phentermine resin (Ionamin) | IV | Noradrenergic |
| Phenylpropanolamine (Dexatrim) | OTC | Noradrenergic |
| Sibutramine* (Meridia) | IV | SNRI |
FDA = U.S. Food and Drug Administration; DEA = Drug Enforcement Administration; OTC = over-the-counter; SNRI = serotonergic noradrenergic reuptake inhibitor.
*— Orlistat and sibutramine are the only drugs labeled by the FDA for long-term treatment of obesity.
