Possible new prescription diet pills
There are a number of possible new prescriptions that deal with obesity that could be passed by the FDA in the not too distant future. These medications have been worked on for a number of years and all seemingly fit the provisions the FDA requires. Obesity in developed nations is increasing and along with causing numerous other health related issues. Although obviously there would be a profit to be made in such a treatment, the added health benefits of losing weight could ultimately save people billions in health care related costs. In countries that have healthcare provided to them without the need for insurance, this is a massive savings in taxes along with freeing up the hospital for other non-obesity related illnesses. In the US this would be saving individuals with obesity caused health problems directly. These kinds of prescriptions however can come with controversy, some saying the problem is a lack of exercise and a poor diet, others disagree and claim that for some diet and exercise just don’t seem to be doing it, or that they need a little boost to help kick start their weight loss. Either way, currently three of the five medications presented here have been submitted to the FDA for approval and it could be as soon as this autumn (2010) to determine if any of them have been approved for patients.
There are five main trial medications in the work for the fight against obesity. The three of them that have already been submitted to the FDA in hopes of being approved are Qnexa, Contrave and Lorcaserin. Qnexa and Contrave are two medications that are actually concoctions of other prescriptions. They have been scientifically formulated in specific amounts and with specific release formulas to create the ultimate mix. As such because of their unique blend, it would never be advisable to try to mix either one ever on your own. The result could be very dangerous to your health. Qnexa is the formulation of Topiramate and Phentermine. Topiramate is commonly known as Topamax and is generally prescribed for epilepsy. Phentermine is an appetite suppressant and is used already as an obesity fighting drug. However when these two are combined to form Qnexa the weight loss properties they produce exceeds taking just Phentermine or obviously Topiramate. Contrave is made up of Naltrexone and Bupropion. Naltrexone’s trademarked name is Revia or Vivitrol and is normally used to help additions to alcohol or various street drugs. Bupropion’s trademarked name is Wellbutrin or Zyban prescribed as an anti-depressant or a smoking cessation and once again when mixed in the proper amounts, produces very good weight loss.
The other of the three trial medications that have been submitted to the FDA is named Lorcaserin. This substance has been found to cause weight loss and may actually have fewer side effects as the others mentioned so far. Lorcaserin chemical structure is actually similar to Fenfluramine which was banned years ago for heart value problems. But so far in all the studies Lorcaserin has been through it has not shown any of those findings. In testing phases Lorcaserin did not show quit as good of results for weight loss but was still within the FDA’s requirements for a drug to be considered to fight obesity.
Another medication on the drawing board is Tesofensine. This medication still has not entered stage three testing which once it does, will probably go on for about a year. Although stage two testing has shown respectable results it is still premature to establish its potential without a much more exhaustive study. But what we do know from the tests it has gone through so far is that it is showing that it works well even in small amounts and news was reported that it may work twice as well as an existing medication used for obesity named Sibutramine. Its maker NeuroSearch is expected to start phase three testing sometime in 2010.
The fifth trial medication in this article is named Empatic. This drug, like Qnexa and Contrave is a combination drug and like Tesofensine, at the time of this writing, has not yet had phase three testing preformed. Empatic consists of both Zonisamide and Bupropion, Bupropion as we know is used for depression and to end smoking. Zonisamide is an anticonvulsant. So far its results are promising for weight loss but like Tesofensine, much more testing need to take place before one could start considering its approval.
The topic of prescription weight loss medication has two sides of discussion. One is that if there is a medication that can decrease someone’s weight and thus reduce weight related health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and others that it is doing a huge favor to not only its takers but also those that may be affected by them. But then there is the flip side to this matter, many claim that people need to improve their health habits, diet and exercise, to lose weight and that taking a medication is just a lazy way to lose weight and claim it ultimately makes them unhealthy for doing so. The chances are that a doctor would not prescribe this kind of medication without advising their patient to improve their diet and exercise but that this advice may be tossed aside by some in the search for a quick fix. But regardless the FDA holds the cards with these treatments. We will have to wait and see what becomes of them.
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