A study published in the Lancet this week has shown that a combination of Phentermine and Topiramate can help patients lose weight. The report is based on just under 2500 patients who were given different treatments and assessed to see the amount of weight they lost. The drug called Qnexa, is a combination of phentermine and topiramate. Phentermine is an appetite suppressant that is currently used by some specialist weight loss clinics. This has approval in the US by the Food and Drug Adminstration for short term use in weight loss. Topiramate is an anti-epileptic medication which has also been shown previously to reduce weight. The combination of the two drugs was compared with a placebo (drug with no active ingredient). The results of the study showed that those patients taking Qnexa had significantly more weight loss than those taking the placebo. In fact, after 1 year those on placebo lost 1.4 kg and those on a higher dose of Qnexa lost 10.2 kg. The researchers also state lowering of blood pressure in their patients.
To read the abstract of the Lancet article, please visit the Lancet website here.
