Let me introduce you to the new and upcoming diet pill- Qnexa. This is the first diet pill to be approved since 1999 (Qnexa already shot down once by the FDA in 2010). Composed of two drugs, phentermine and Topiramate, the "cocktail" has much controversy. After a 20-2 decision to back the drug, an official decision will be made by April. "While effective at reducing weight, the drug, manufactured by Vivus Inc., was denied approval in 2010 because of its potential side effects. Before making its decision Wednesday, the advisory panel reviewed two years of data on the drug; when advisers last voted on Qnexa, only one year's worth of follow-up data was available."
Anyone remember that drug back in the late 80's/early 90's called Fen-Phen? Taken off the market because of possible links to damaging heart valves. Numerous patients with Tachycardia (increased heart rate) and elevated heart pressure-- caused from the release of catecholamines. Phentermine has the same effect on people as amphetamines, which stimulates the central nervous system, decreasing appetite. But, since it has been on the market for about 40 years now and already approved, testing does not have to be as substantial. "The NIH warns that the phentermine’s “anorectic” effects last only a few weeks, and cautions against increasing the dosage when the drug loses its effectiveness on weight loss." But... I mean if you were shedding 10% of your body weight, all the sudden plateaued, wouldnt you go to your doctor and ask for an increase in dosage? Only the sensible thing, right? But, let me tell you why this is NOT the answer.
Meet the drug Topiramate. Something this currently haunts my medicine cabinet. This anti-convulsant drug is mostly known for memory-loss, confusion, tip-of-tongue syndrome (psychomotor slowing). "Topiramate also carries warnings for depression and mood problems, fatigue and “somnolence” (sleepiness). And then there’s that pesky “suicidal ideation”". Cant forget about the higher risk of giving birth to a child with cleft palate. THIS DRUG IS NOT EVEN APPROVED FOR WEIGHT LOSS? But, Vivus Inc. claims that when you mix it up with phen in the perfect amount, the results are dramatic.
S I D E . N O T E-- I have been on this drug since I was a senior in high school, with my dosage increasing till I hit about 200mg (A VERY HIGH DOSE). When I was first prescribed this for my migraine headaches, my neurologist said I would have "decrease in appetite/weight loss"... he also said he doesn't like to tell people about side effects because they will demonstrate their own placebo effect?(haha okay? hmm...) Over the course of 3 years, I can honestly agree with him, I did not see any change in my appetite. But, recently I was noticing my memory was not as good and when I told my doctor about this, she immediately asked me how long I had been on Topomax (the active ingredient in Topiarmate). Responding, "3 years" she said we needed to immediately cut down my doses, explaining to me about the psychomotor slowing. Me being me, hating everything about medicine, decided I would just quit taking it. I'll let you know how migraines go from now on... but to be honest, I would rather not suffer from all the nonsense and risk having a baby with cleft palate, all so I could be migraine-free.
Back to Qnexa. "In the panel meeting two days ago, members discussed whether Vivus should conduct further studies before or after approval. The FDA is due to decide on Qnexa by April 17. For its part, Vivus is asking to start a four-year trial of the affect of Qnexa on cardiac health after the FDA votes whether or not to approve the drug on April 17th."... thanks again for the backward ways of America? This makes no sense to me to start clinical trials AFTER approval? Hello guinea pigs.
So anyways, thats my me on my soapbox. I think this is absolutely ridiculous and at the end of the day isn't diet and exercise the best weight loss tool. I understand it is case by case, but there are surely SAFER ways to go about losing weight.
Have a wonderful Saturday night!
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