Miracle Pill or False Hope?

by Mary Anne | More from this Blogger

28 Jan 2006 09:36 AM

I saw an interesting blurb in the Kansas City Star this morning, and I don't exactly know what to think. You've probably seen it on the news, federal health officials voted Monday to recommend over-the-counter sales of a weight-loss pill now sold only with a prescription.

The diet pill is already marketed in prescription form as Zenical-- an FDA approved prescription version of the fat-blocking drug. GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare still needs final Food and Drug Administration approval before it can sell the nonprescription version, called Orlistat. If approved by the FDA, Orlistat will be the first weight-loss drug sanctioned for over-the-counter sales.

The Alarming

In six-month clinical trials, obese people who took Orlistat lost on average 5.3 to 6.2 pounds more than did those who were given dummy pills. Sounds like a mircacle pill right? GlaxoSmithKlein is quick to warn people to only use it for six months at a time, but as an over-the-counter item, its use could not at all be monitored.

Even More Alarming

A recent study showed that there was a progressive weight gain in patients after they discontinued use of Orlistat. Glaxo said that people could resume use or seek help from a doctor if they gain weight after taking the pills.

Glaxo also issued a public statement that concluded that the drug helps the overweight slim down only when combined with a diet and a consistent exercise regimen. The drug's actual effect on weight loss is "modest," said Steve Burton, Glaxo's vice president of weight control.

Is It a Magic Pill?

"There is no magic pill for weight loss and Orlistat is not a magic pill. Orlistat is a tool that will help people control their calorie intake and modify their diet," says John Dent, the company's Senior Vice President of R and D.

Do you think something like Orlistat should be readily available to the public without a prescription?

Shoot me a comment!

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