FDA approves new pill for weight loss

Patients taking Qsymia for a year lost 6.7 per cent of their body weight in one study and 8.9 per cent in another study,the FDA said. That was more than two other weight loss pill recently reviewed by the FDA.

The drug is actually a combination of two older drugs known to help with weight loss: phentermine and topirimate.

Phentermine is a stimulant that suppresses the appetite,and has long been used for short-term weight loss. Topiramate is an anticonvulsant,sold by Johnson amp; Johnson as Topamax,that makes people feel more satiated after eating. Researchers say the innovation of Qsymia lies in targeting multiple brain signals that drive people to overeat.

Qsymia is the second weight loss drug approved by the FDA in less than a month,following Arena Pharmaceuticals pill Belviq in late June.