FDA-approved diet drug Qsymia now available with prescription

According to CNN.com, the FDA has just approved the weight loss drug Qsymia for use in the United States.

(CNN) — A new diet drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in July is now available for obese and at-risk overweight patients. The oral medication Qsymia can only be obtained with a doctor’s prescription.

Qsymia (pronounced kyoo-SIM-ee-uh) is the second diet drug approved this year. The FDA approved a weight-loss pill called Belviq on June 27.

Patients in clinical trials experienced more dramatic weight loss with Qsymia than with Belviq. On Qsymia, patients went from an average 227 pounds to 204 pounds; on Belviq, the average weight dropped from 220 to 207.

Qsymia had been known as Qnexa until its approval. The FDA asked the company to change the name to avoid confusion with another drug on the market, according to the company.

Some consumer advocates worry that the medication’s weight loss comes with a price. Some patients in the clinical trial suffered an increased heart rate and a condition called metabolic acidosis, which can lead to hyperventilation, fatigue and anorexia.

Concerns have also been raised about birth defects. One of the ingredients in Qsymia is topiramate, an anti-convulsant that has been linked to birth defects such as cleft lip and cleft palate in babies born to women who have taken it for migraines or seizures. Qsymia’s other ingredient is phentermine, an appetite suppressant.

“Our belief is that women will be invited (through) compelling advertising and marketing messages to experiment on themselves with a drug that has some effectiveness with healthy weight loss but possible serious risks,” said Cindy Pearson, executive director of the National Women’s Health Network.

Qsymia’s manufacturer, Vivus Inc., says that the drug helped lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels in obese people and that people taking it were less likely to get type II diabetes.

A couple of things stood out: The drug appears to work well, based on their studies. However, some of the side effects are troubling, but almost all medications have side effects these days. Anyone considering this drug should pay attention to any symptoms that emerge and decide if it’s worth it to continue. Women of childbearing age should be careful to avoid pregnancy while using this product.

Have you started using this drug? If so, share your experiences with us!