Qnexa: "Miracle" Weight Loss Pill gets FDA backing

Obesity affects 35% of this nation, approximately 70 million Americans.  Drug companies have been looking for a way to cash in on this epidemic, and one such company is on the brink of pharmaceutical gold.  California-based Vivius is on the verge of FDA approval for their weight loss drug, Qnexa.  In clinical trials involving 4,323 individuals, there was a 10% average weight loss amongst participants.  Based on this study, 20 out of 22 FDA physicians are backing the new drug and it will likely receive full FDA approval.  Sounds great, sign me up!  Not so fast.

Qnexa is composed of Phentermine and Topiramate, two individual drugs.  If Phentermine sounds familiar, it's probably because it was a part of the popular drug Fen-phen which was withdrawn from the market after having to settle for legal damages of $13 billion.  Fen-phen was found to cause heart valve disease, and while Phentermine by itself does not, it is not entirely safe either.  Phentermine is similar to amphetamines and is known to elevate blood pressure and increase heart rate.  Topiramate (Topamax) is an anti-seizure medication that can cause nausea and fatigue.  Combine those side effects and the product sounds like a real winner right?  The truth is that most physicians will likely feel uncomfortable prescribing Qnexa to their patients because most already have underlying medication conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heart rhythms, etc.  Patient's, however, will likely be willing to tolerate any of those side effects to attain weight loss.

Weight loss drugs, much like trendy weight loss diets, are merely shortcuts and are usually not sustainable in the long run.  Just look at the Atkins company that went bankrupt after their diet plan was intially a huge hit.  The same goes for Fen-phen which may have actually ruined the lives of many consumers.  The real road to weight loss is through exercise and healthy choices.  While that may sound like the "doctor thing to say", it is the only proven long-term choice.  Eating well and exercise generally does not have any side effects, the FDA never recalls it, and nobody will ever win a lawsuit against it.  The choice is clear, and it doesn't require a prescription.