Qnexa how much weight loss

The body has so many mechanisms to maintain weight that any one drug is not likely to have much effect, scientists say. A study published in the journal Obesity in January that used insurance records found that fewer than 1 percent of adults used obesity pills despite the considerable number of obese people. And only 11 to 18 percent of the users stayed with the drugs for longer than three months, a far greater dropout rate than for statins.

Tucker, a pharmaceutical industry consultant in San Diego. The difficulties, and safety setbacks, have already soured many pharmaceutical companies on obesity drugs. Three years ago, the F.

A, citing the risk of suicidal thoughts and depression, declined to approve rimonabant from Sanofi-Aventis. Unlike advocates for patients with, for example, AIDS or cancer, those who are obese may be more reluctant to pressure an agency like the F.

Downey said. When that approach is successful, she said, it often requires intensive coaching, which is impractical for medical offices to provide on a large scale. The next generation will probably not be pills but rather injections of synthetic versions of hormones the body already uses to control weight. Bariatric surgery, which can reduce weight far more than pills, is now restricted for use in severely obese people because of risks and costs. In December, an F. Oparil, a past president of the American Heart Association, pooled and analyzed the results of three separate studies of Qnexa in nearly 8, overweight and obese patients.

The higher the dose, the more weight loss and the more blood pressure went down, she said. The patients who got the highest dose along with diet and exercise advice lost about 10 percent of their body weight on average, she said.

Fen-phen combined fenfluramine and phentermine. Losing just 10 percent of body weight is enough to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, reduce the risk of diabetes and early death. Currently, the only drug approved for long-term weight loss in the U. The drug works by blocking the absorption of fat. But it hasn't gained traction because it has unpleasant side effects, including loose bowel movements.

Educational pamphlets for alli even recommend people start the program when they have a few days off work, or bring an extra pair of pants to the office. Vivus' Qnexa is one of a trio of drugs seeking FDA approval. It's a combination of amphetamine phentermine, which suppresses appetite, and topiramate, which is supposed to make patients feel more full.

FDA doctors voted in favor of the drug. The group touted the drug's benefits, which include weight loss of nearly 10 percent for most patients taking the drug over a year - the highest reduction reported with any recent diet pill. But panelists stressed that the drugmaker must be required to conduct a large, follow-up study of the pill's effects on the heart. Please enter email address to continue.

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