Diet drug controversy as US approves meds rejected by Europe
The decision from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to allow two anti-obesity drugs to be marketed in the US has been called into question by a senior doctor publishing in the BMJ. Dr. Sidney Wolfe, founder of the health research group at Public Citizen, says that the fact these drugs have been banned by the European regulator "puts the FDA to shame." Belviq (lorcaserin) and Qsymia (phentermine plus topiramate) are available as anti-obesity drugs in the US... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - August 23, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness Source Type: news
New Evidence: Obesity Drug Phentermine Is Not AddictiveNew Evidence: Obesity Drug Phentermine Is Not Addictive
A new study reveals no withdrawal effects in those stopping phentermine, but 1 observer says this is insufficient to assuage concerns about the drug, which include potential cardiac toxicity. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)
Source: Medscape Today Headlines - May 24, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Diabetes & Endocrinology News Source Type: news
Diet Drug Trims Hypertension Too (CME/CE)
SAN FRANCISCO (MedPage Today) -- The weight loss achieved with extended-release phentermine/topiramate (Qsymia) comes with corresponding blood pressure reduction for hypertensive patients, a subanalysis showed. (Source: MedPage Today Cardiovascular)
Source: MedPage Today Cardiovascular - May 20, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
Stopping Phentermine After Long-Term Treatment Does Not Result In Amphetamine-Like Withdrawal
New research published at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) shows that abrupt cessation after long-term use of the anti-obesity drug phentermine does not induce amphetamine-like withdrawal symptoms. The research is by Dr Ed Hendricks, Center for Weight Management*, Sacramento & Roseville, California, USA, and was funded by the American Society of Bariatric Physicians (ASBP). Phentermine is a psychostimulant drug of the phenethylamine class, with pharmacology similar to amphetamine... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - May 17, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness Source Type: news
Withdrawal Not a Problem with Phentermine (CME/CE)
(MedPage Today) -- Patients taking phentermine long-term to treat obesity don't have to worry about withdrawal when they come off it, researchers found. (Source: MedPage Today Primary Care)
Source: MedPage Today Primary Care - May 15, 2013 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news
Qsymia: Data Find No Long-Term Heart Risk (CME/CE)
PHOENIX (MedPage Today) -- The more weight patients lost after 2 years on the diet drug Qsymia (phentermine/topiramate), the greater their improvements in cardiovascular risk markers, researchers reported here. (Source: MedPage Today Cardiovascular)
Source: MedPage Today Cardiovascular - May 3, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
EU rejects obesity drug Qsiva for the second time
Despite an appeal by Vivus, the European Medicines Agency has rejected the obesity treatment phentermine/topiramate ER for the second time. Any benefit "does not outweigh the risks," says the EMA. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - February 26, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
EU Rejects Obesity Drug Qsiva for the Second TimeEU Rejects Obesity Drug Qsiva for the Second Time
Despite an appeal by Vivus, the European Medicines Agency has rejected the obesity treatment phentermine/topiramate extended release for the second time. Any benefit "does not outweigh the risks," says the EMA. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)
Source: Medscape Today Headlines - February 26, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Diabetes & Endocrinology News Source Type: news
CHMP recommends refusal of Qsiva® (phentermine/ topiramate) marketing authorisation following re-examination
Source: European Medicines Agency
Area: News
Following a re-examination of a previous opinion, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has confirmed its recommendation to refuse the marketing authorisation for Qsiva® (phentermine and topiramate), intended for the treatment of obesity.
The CHMP noted concerns about the long-term cardiovascular effects of Qsiva® (particularly those of the phentermine component, which is known to increase heart rate). There were additionally concerns about the long-term psychiatric and cognitive effects related to the topiramate component. Topiramate is also ...
Source: NeLM - News - February 25, 2013 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news
Pharmacist advises BBC Radio Berkshire about dodgy diet pills
Carol Trower, Chief Executive of the Berkshire Local Pharmaceutical Committee, was interviewed on BBC Radio Berkshire this week. A local doctor practising at a private slimming clinic had received a warning from CQC for the way he prescribed phentermine and diethylpropion. Carol talked with (Source: Royal Pharmaceutical Society News)
Source: Royal Pharmaceutical Society News - February 10, 2012 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news
