US Pharm. 2010;35(8):6.
Gaithersburg, MD—Due to safety concerns, an FDA advisory committee has voted against approval of Vivus Inc.’s anti-obesity drug Qnexa (phentermine/topiramate). The panel cited the need for more long-term safety data and expressed concern over reports of teratogenicity, depression, and memory problems. The drug includes two previously approved components, phentermine, an appetite suppressant that was once part of the recalled fen-phen, and topiramate, an anticonvulsant that promotes satiety. In several studies, those who took high-dose Qnexa lost about 10% of their body weight after 1 year. Two other potential weight-loss treatments, lorcaserin (Arena Pharmaceuticals) and Contrave (Orexigen Therapeutics), will also undergo FDA review later this year.
