Obesity Experts Skeptical Pill Can Assist With Underlying Problems
This week, a Food Drug Administration panel issued an opinion that the new obesity drug Qnexa- a combination of the migraine medication Topamax and one half of the popular yet disastrous obesity drug fen-phen, phentermine- had benefits outweighing its risks, despite concerns over heart damage and birth defects.
And indeed, the market for drugs that have a palpable effect on obesity without severe health risks is wanting- few options exist outside bariatric surgery (a step many feel is drastic and unnecessary) and standard dieting, with the latter option clearly not having that much of an impact on America’s obesity epidemic. Part of the reason obesity is such a persistent problem among Americans too is that the issue is caused by a multitude of factors and thus difficult to tackle with a single therapy such as drugs.
The Chicago Tribune ran a piece citing experts on nutrition and obesity, two of whom commented with mixed feelings on the expected impact of drug therapies for obesity. Dr. Mitchell Roslin is chief of bariatric surgery at Northern Westchester Hospital in New York, and he explains:
“Having a drug for obesity would be like telling me you had a drug for the fever. There can be millions of different reasons why someone is obese; it’s really a symptom of various underlying mechanisms.”
Dr. David Katz of Yale University’s Prevention Research Center commented on the relative newness of an obesity epidemic among humans, who have evolved essentially to horde energy and as such, excess weight:
“Throughout most of human history calories were scarce and hard to get, so we have numerous natural defenses against starvation… We have no defenses against overeating because we never needed them before.”
The only drug currently on the market to treat obesity is Xenical or alli- which is generally not preferred by patients due to digestive side effects as well as a mild impact on weight loss.
Tags : obesity, obesity causes, obesity drug, obesity drugs, obesity epidemic, obesity qnexa approval, phentermine, phentermine obesity, phentermine weight loss, qnexa, qnexa approval, qnexa obesity, qnexa weight loss, topamax, weight-loss drug
Posted: February 24, 2012
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Feb 24, 2012
I think it's about time they made a pill to help people with obesity. Obviously. they are not going tom exercise, so give them some help.
Feb 24, 2012
I take phentermine…. I have lost 50 lbs in just under 5 months… that's with counting calories… and walking 3 miles a day… It does work if you want it to work… you have to put effort in… other wise it isn't going to work… they say not to take it every day… the weekends are free for me but still in my calorie rang… insurance does not cover it… its 35 dollars for a month supply… and many doctors do not give it.
Feb 24, 2012
How about we demand better of our food suppliers and start riding bikes to our destinations instead of driving! BAM 2 birds with one stone, Obesity and pollution.
Feb 24, 2012
i have to dis agree on the not exercising… i did my part and tried everything… in my case i never counted calories or even knew how much i was eatting until i started writing it all down… then i cut it n half… then took a month of calorie counting and then split that in half… so im way under the average calorie intake but can eat what ever i want and it works
Feb 24, 2012
I was on phentermine and lost 46 lbs….the only time I have EVER had meds from the Dr or over the counter stuff WORK…I would try this new combo….and maybe lose anothe 46 lbs plus some more…I took mine off over about 6 mo's glad it came off slow….so far I have not gained any back either. I didn't count calories and did little excersice while on the meds. Thrilled with my results.
Feb 24, 2012
We could try subsidizing healthier foods…..and cut out corn syrup…
Feb 24, 2012
This idea is the dumbest thing that the FDA has came out with.. The benefits outweigh the risks? So having a person die because of heart failure or a heart attack is ok? Or should I say that its ok for a woman who thinks she has gained to much weight in her pregnancy can take it and risk harming her unborn child? This is absurd.. If someone wants to lose weight they are going to do so.. If they use lazyness as an excuse then THEY DON'T WANT TO LOSE THE WEIGHT.Watching what you eat and exercising for at least 30 min a day will help ANYONE lose the weight.. All they are doing is making a drug so that people think they may lose weight.. Yeah ok they may but its also going to cause them a bunch of problems in the long run.. so therefor they are going to have to go see a dr. get put on some other Bull shit medication.. Meaning all this pill is doing is making more fucking money for the Dr's , Government, And Pharmacys…
Feb 24, 2012
It really works ??
Feb 24, 2012
Yes Amanda it does. I was on it years ago and lost 23 lbs the first month! Who's your Dr Heather?