Safe Prescribing of Anti-Obesity Medications for APRNs

Course overview

This 3-contact hour continuing education course is designed for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who prescribe pharmacologic therapies for obesity. With obesity now classified as a chronic disease, pharmacotherapy is increasingly used as an adjunct to lifestyle interventions. This course provides a comprehensive, evidence-based overview of the current anti-obesity medications approved for adult use, with an emphasis on safe prescribing, individualized patient selection, therapeutic monitoring, and adverse effect management. Content will explore glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, dual agonists, and other FDA-approved agents, focusing on clinical efficacy, contraindications, monitoring parameters, and real-world prescribing considerations. APRNs will gain the knowledge needed to integrate obesity medications safely and effectively into patient care, aligned with current clinical guidelines and scope of practice regulations. Learning Objectives By the end of this course, the participant will be able to: Describe the pharmacologic mechanisms and indications of FDA-approved medications for obesity management. Identify appropriate candidates for obesity pharmacotherapy based on clinical criteria and patient comorbidities. Safely initiate and titrate anti-obesity medications with attention to drug-specific adverse effects and contraindications. Implement appropriate monitoring strategies for efficacy, safety, and adherence in patients on anti-obesity pharmacotherapy. Navigate special considerations for prescribing in populations with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and history of psychiatric illness.