Certain novel spiropiperidine derivatives of structural formula Ia wherein the substituents are as defined herein are agonists of the human melanocortin receptor(s) and, in particular, are selective agonists of the human melanocortin-4 receptor (MC-4R). They are therefore useful for the treatment, control, or prevention of diseases and disorders responsive to the activation of MC-4R, such as obesity, diabetes, sexual dysfunction, including erectile dysfunction and female sexual dysfunction. ##STR1##

Determinados derivatives do spiropiperidine da novela da fórmula estrutural Ia wherein os substituents são como definidos nisto são os agonists do receptor(s) humano do melanocortin e, no detalhe, são agonists seletivos do receptor melanocortin-4 humano (MC-4R). São conseqüentemente úteis para o tratamento, o controle, ou a prevenção das doenças e dos disorders responsivos à ativação de MC-4R, tal como o obesity, diabetes, dysfunction sexual, including o dysfunction erectile e o dysfunction sexual fêmea. ## do ## STR1