Qnexa®
Learn More about what Qnexa is.
There is a newly talked about diet medication called Qnexa that is offering some hope for those who are overweight. It is currently a trial medication but may soon be available for those who could benefit from it. What makes this particular medication unique is that it actually combined two other drugs already available. These medications go by the names Phentermine and Topiramate. Phentermine is a appetite suppressant that has been in use for many years helping its patients lose weight where as Topiramate is an anti-convulsant and often used for epilepsy patients. It is the unique mixing of these two ingredients in specific amounts and release formulas that give it very strong weight loss abilities. For years Vivus Inc, its maker, has tested Qnexa in various ratio amounts and with several clinical trials to determine not only the strongest formulation but also one that is safe. As a result they believe they have finally come up with the best mixture for both effectiveness and safety and have submitted their medication for the FDA to review and decide on approval or not. It is expected that a FDA panel on July 15th will review this medication but the ultimate decision is expected October 28th of 2010.
Although weight loss for each individual varied, it has been estimated that upwards of 15% was regularly achieved for patients while being on Qnexa for a 56 week period. Also at the half way point of these studies they showed people on average losing upwards of 10% of their weight. These tests have been deemed a success as far as weight loss goes. This is because these numbers are greater than what other existing prescription diet pills are producing. Qnexa also boasts of other health benefits including reducing blood pressure and it is also being studied for sleep apnea. As with just about any prescription medication there are reported side effects that must be taken into consideration. Some of the more common effects reported have been a sensation of tingling, dry mouth, headaches, constipation and insomnia. These are just some of them, and it not meant to be an exhaustive list. It is hoped that the side effects vs. the benefits are in favor of the benefits when it comes time to put Qnexa under scrutiny by the FDA.
In the race to create an effective diet pill Qnexa does not find itself alone. There are others in the running. There are two other prescription diet pills that have also already submitted their formulas to the FDA for approval. The names of these particular diet drugs are Contrave and Lorcaserin. Lorcaserin does not seemingly produce the same weight loss as Contrave or Qnexa but what it may lack there it seems to make up for in less side effects. So these three medications will sit in limbo as they wait on the FDA later this year or early next year to determine which if any are to be accepted or failed. Now, if any of them are accepted, it would most likely be a few months beyond approval that they would be widely available via prescription through your doctor. News out in December 2010 was that Contrave was issued a vote of approval by the FDA advisory board committee. This means that in all likelihood Contrave will probably be approved.
Although weight loss for each individual varied, it has been estimated that upwards of 15% was regularly achieved for patients while being on Qnexa for a 56 week period. Also at the half way point of these studies they showed people on average losing upwards of 10% of their weight. These tests have been deemed a success as far as weight loss goes. This is because these numbers are greater than what other existing prescription diet pills are producing. Qnexa also boasts of other health benefits including reducing blood pressure and it is also being studied for sleep apnea. As with just about any prescription medication there are reported side effects that must be taken into consideration. Some of the more common effects reported have been a sensation of tingling, dry mouth, headaches, constipation and insomnia. These are just some of them, and it not meant to be an exhaustive list. It is hoped that the side effects vs. the benefits are in favor of the benefits when it comes time to put Qnexa under scrutiny by the FDA.
In the race to create an effective diet pill Qnexa does not find itself alone. There are others in the running. There are two other prescription diet pills that have also already submitted their formulas to the FDA for approval. The names of these particular diet drugs are Contrave and Lorcaserin. Lorcaserin does not seemingly produce the same weight loss as Contrave or Qnexa but what it may lack there it seems to make up for in less side effects. So these three medications will sit in limbo as they wait on the FDA later this year or early next year to determine which if any are to be accepted or failed. Now, if any of them are accepted, it would most likely be a few months beyond approval that they would be widely available via prescription through your doctor. News out in December 2010 was that Contrave was issued a vote of approval by the FDA advisory board committee. This means that in all likelihood Contrave will probably be approved.
