The Lancet Publishes on Qnexa's Latest News
Posted: Wednesday, 13 April, 2011 | Categories: diet pills slimming pills
Vivus Inc’s CONQUER study revealed participants achieved 20 pounds weight loss on average during one year of taking a high dose of Qnexa, a substantial amount of weight loss when compared to other weight loss drug competitors at trial stage. This is the only appetite suppressant still in the running for approval this year and the success of the pharmaceutical company looks hopeful. The Lancet published safety and efficacy reports of the 56 week study which assessed patients suffering from high blood pressure, high cholesterol or type-2 diabetes across 93 states in the United States. Qnexa might yet prove to be the future in slimming pills yet.
Qnexa was successful in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol versus the placebo and will be evaluating its impact on type-2 diabetes and sleep apnea shortly. Approximately 2,500 obese men and women participated in the trial and where one group were to diet, exercise and receive counselling while taking Qnexa (a high dose or a low dose), the control group had to diet, exercise and receive counselling alone. After the 56 weeks, those taking the lower dose of Qnexa lost a significant 18 pounds. Those not taking Qnexa only lost 3 pounds. The group taking the weight loss drug also experienced a lowering of blood pressure, triglycerides, cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels.
Qnexa is a combination of phentermine, which is a weight loss drug in the US, and topiramate, which is traditionally used to treat migraine and epilepsy. Side effects included anxiety and depression and double the number of people dropped out of the study taking the high dose of the drug over those who received the counselling on its own.
Another problem the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) had with Qnexa last year related to its association with birth defects but none of the 34 women who became pregnant while participating in the study had babies born with defects. The application to the FDA will be submitted once again at the end of this year despite the positive news; it is still not clear from recent trials whether this weight loss drug could be suitable for long term use.
In the meantime, it is imperative to make sure that the diet pills or slimming pills one is taking are regulated by a reliable source.