Obesity is a disease. It is not a matter of will power. 68% of Americans are overweight i.e. have a BMI greater than 25. Americans know they should be eating lean proteins and more fruits and vegetables. They know they should be eating less by cutting back on the size of their portions. Despite all the knowledge, obesity rates continue to skyrocket threatening to lower twentieth century gains in life expectancy and to bankrupt our struggling system. Something needs to be done to turn the tide. Americans need more than education, counseling, and being told what they should be doing – They know what to do. They need help elsewhere.
Pharmaceutical companies are realizing that if you treat obesity, the major underlying cause of hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes, you can decrease the need for drugs to combat the symptoms of being obese. They are responding to the obesity epidemic by creating and testing different drug combinations and therapies. On July 17, 2012, the FDA approved Qsymia (as an addition to a lower calorie diet and exercise) for chronic weight management. Qsymia combines the drugs phentermine and topiramate. Phentermine is an appetite suppressant and stimulant, and topiramate is an anticonvulsant with weight loss side effects.
There have been three published studies – “EQUIP,” “CONQUER,” and “SEQUEL” – all on the effectiveness of Qsymia in helping patients significantly lose weight. All three studies demonstrate significant weight loss and improvements in blood pressure and lowering their risk of Type 2 Diabetes.
In the 56 week, EQUIP published a study in Nature. The study looked at patients with BMI in excess of 35, or severely obese. Patients were broken into three groups – The first group received a placebo. The second group received 3.75 mg of phentermine with 26mg of topiramate. The third group received 15mg of phentermine and 92 mg of topiramate. The 3.75/23 patients lost 5.1% of their body weight. The patients in the 15/92 group lost on average 10.9% of their body weight. Nearly 48% of those that completed the study in the 15/92 group lost in excess of 15% of their body weight. They also saw significant improvements in their blood pressure and cholesterol. On average patients lost 367 pounds.
The CONQUER study examined patients with BMI of 27, or mildly obese. This 56 week study again broke patients into three groups. The first group received a placebo. The second group received 7.5 mg of phentermine with 46 mg of topiramate. The third group received 15mg of phentermine and 92mg of topiramate. In this study, 37% of the 7.5/46 group lost over 10% of their body weight. 48% of patients in the 15/92 group lost over 10% of their body weight which is consistent with finding in the EQUIP study. This study also demonstrated significant benefits in blood pressure and waist circumference. Those with diabetes in the study found greater reductions in glycated hemoglobin lowering their risk for cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and damage to their retina. And those patients being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes was also significantly lower.
The SEQUEL study was a continuation of the CONQUER study and looked at patients over the second year to test the benefits of sustained weight loss over two years. The findings in the SEQUEL study were published in the December 7, 2011 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 50% of the 7.5/46 group lost more than 10% of their body weight. 31.9% of the 15/92 group lost more than 15%. And 15% of the 15/92 group lost more than 20% of their body weight. That is like a 200lb person losing more than 40 pounds. Besides weight loss, there was a 76% decrease in the number of patients diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes compared to the control group. Dr. Suzanner Oparil of the University of Alabama Birmingham states that “the higher the dose, the more weight loss and the more blood pressure went down” for patients taking Qsymia in her presentation at the American Society of Hypertension’s 25th Annual Meeting.
The main side effects of Qsymia were dry mouth, a tingling in the fingers and toes and constipation. Vivus, the makers of Qsymia, recommend starting at the 3.75mg dose. Be sure to consult with your physician or a medical doctor who specializes in helping patients lose weight safely. The medical weight loss physicians at Thinnergy Medical Weight loss are certified Qsymia trainers, so you know you are getting the best help possible and using the drug safely.