Gee, really?
Qnexa has safety risks
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The weight loss drug Qnexa has some safety risks. Um, duh?
It's PHENTERMINE + TOPAMAX.
Sure, it can can work to help you lose weight, but your heart gets cranky and you forget what you were blogging about. The FDA says the effects can get worse over time. Super.
Did I mention that although I couldn't feel my feet or remember my underwear -- I heart Topamax? Because, since I quit taking it? I have gained weight. And, what's this about getting worse over time -- I -- still can't remember anything.
Send Qnexa. I don't care.
- Qnexa drug helped patients lose weight - FDA staff
- Qnexa tied to heart, memory problems and birth defects
- FDA staff say long-term safety with Qnexa unknown
Feb 17 (Reuters) - Vivus Inc's obesity drug Qnexa helped people lose weight but may cause long-term health problems in overweight and obese patients, U.S. drugs reviewers said.
Food and Drug Administration staff will ask an advisory panel to consider whether the drug's benefits for obese patients will outweigh its risk of birth defects and heart problems.
The FDA staff, in documents posted online on Friday, said patients taking Qnexa during a clinical trial lost more weight, and kept it off for longer, than patients taking a placebo, or sugar pill. These patients also had lower levels of problems associated with obesity, such as issues with blood pressure and blood sugar.
However, the FDA staff said patients taking the drug had more safety problems than patients on a placebo, including memory loss, and these problems could get worse over time. They also said exposure to one of the ingredients in Qnexa has been linked to a higher rate of birth defects in other studies.
Shares of Vivus rose 2.4 percent to $11.45 in pre-market trading.
An advisory panel of outside experts will vote Feb. 22 on whether to recommend the drug, and the FDA is due to make its final decision by April 17.
Qnexa is a combination of appetite suppressant phentermine and anti-seizure drug topiramate.
A company study in December showed topiramate caused a higher rate of oral clefts in infants of women taking the drug during pregnancy, and the company said it would limit Qnexa to women who are not pregnant.
The FDA already rejected Qnexa in 2010 because of safety concerns -- including elevated heart rate in some users and the potential for birth defects if pregnant women used the drug.
Vivus resubmitted its application in October, proposing to limit the drug to only women who cannot have children. In January, the company broadened the label to just limit pregnant women from taking the drug, in response to an FDA request.
on 2/17/12 2:47 am
The BIRTH DEFECTS issue is SCARY! Any Mother wants to protect there unborn!
If Qnexa has memory side effects ... Mercy add in Topamax !! OY MYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY , one of Topamax's worst side effects for seizure or Migraine meds is MEMORY issues!!! The combo .. would have you Live in fear for the unborn and Cognitively Lost in Space Memory wise. TY for posting, never heard of this Drug, Phew, TY for sharing ! I will spread the word! i
on 2/17/12 3:06 am
Any one to JUDGE ... let them walk in your shoes a few weeks.... a few hours may change there tune. Scare them Screaming Into the Night, No less!! l have a very sage friend tell me this!
I have faced a lot of BS , from Nosey azz people who had NO right concerning MY personal medical reasons that I never desired or asked for! Not a One of us does. I Never want a soul to fave any negative medical issue.. If people only realized Compassion and Kindness in this life would Go a L O N G way!
MM, Just do the best you can, have the best Life you can , and .. when frustrated ... say the Serenity prayer 15 times .. 20 need be! That doesn't work find some other way to cope. Seek some beauty and Joy daily, laugh much , hug often . A little secret around here " Lost " can be Good some days.. when the BS starts around here ! :) there is the UP side!@ LOL Humor DOES help!!!
((( MM)))
on 2/17/12 9:29 am
on 2/17/12 9:33 am
ETA: Spaced out and losing weight sound like Eden to me. If it werent for that pesky driving thing. But hell, I'd do it for the week or 3 (quit driving I mean) it took to get rid of the 9 and maybe another 5 for a cushion ;)
on 2/17/12 11:46 am
Most often it is a seizure medication, Migrine medication , has other medical uses , typically rx'ed by a nurologist ... after alot of misery... Never heard it being used asa weight loss drug ..Im a bag od Bones Darlin, It ain't Rx'ed for weight loss.... pretty serious medication for the most part.