Drug Meant to Help Fight Obesity Rejected by FDA

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Updated: 8:52 AM Jul 18, 2010 Drug Meant to Help Fight Obesity Rejected by FDA Many people had hopes that a new drug, in its final stages of FDA approval, would help fight obesity in America. Posted: 6:33 AM Jul 18, 2010 Reporter: Julia Fello Email Address: jfello@wsaw.com

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Many people had hopes that a new drug, in its final stages of FDA approval, would help fight obesity in America.

But in a close vote this week, a panel rejected it.

The drug called Qnexa, contains the anti-seizure medicine Topamax and Phentermine.

Qnexa alters the taste of food and boosts metabolism.

And test results show it can cut a person's body weight by up to 15%.

The advisory committee said there were major safety concerns such as heart risks, birth defects, and psychiatric problems.

A physician says there is no magic pill to diet.

The biggest suggestion he gives to his patients is portion control.

"In general as a physician, I don't recommend most weight loss drugs," says Dr. Larry Gordon, with Aspirus Hospital in Wittenberg, "If you use more calories in a day, than you take in, you will lose weight."

The FDA will make a final decision on whether to approve Qnexa by late October.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Donna Location: WI on Jul 18, 2010 at 08:45 AM

These people obviously never had to personally deal with severe weight loss. The lack of compassion from the Dr. made that abundantly clear. It is like telling an alcoholic that drinking from a smaller glass will make that problem go away too. People just don't seem to get it when it comes to the over weight/obese. It isn't as simple as that Dr. makes it sound.

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