There is disclosed an oral pharmaceutical formulation of bitter compounds that are agonists of taste receptor type 2 (TAS2R) receptors for the function of appetite suppression for the treatment of obesity. More specifically, the present disclosure provides an anti-obesity oral formulation comprising a bitter agent selected from the group consisting of denatonium salts including benzoate (DB), chloride (DC), acetate (DA), citrate (DCl), saccharide (DS), tartarate (DT), maleate (DM), 3-caffeoylquinic-1,5-lactone (3-CQL), chlorogenic acids (CGA), combinations thereof, and pharmaceutical excipients to facilitate a sustained release during transit through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Preferably, the oral pharmaceutical formulation further comprises either or both a sweet antagonist selected from the group consisting of lactisole, gymnemic acid, ziziphin, hodulcine, and combinations thereof, and a sour organic acid.
