Obesity pill Qsymia gains FDA approval

July 18, 2012 - 10:45 am | Category: Health

After months of anticipation and deliberation, the obesity pill formerly known as Qnexa has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The product will be sold under a new name, Qsymia.

The FDA said in an announcement Monday night that Vivus Inc.’s Qsymia is approved for over overweight and obese people who have at least one weight-related health problem such as high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol. The drug is to be prescribed in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise. Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more, while overweight people are defined as having a BMI – a ratio of height over weight – of 27 or higher.

According to government estimates, more than one-third of U.S. adults are obese.

“Obesity threatens the overall well being of patients and is a major public health concern,” Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a statement. “Qsymia, used responsibly in combination with a healthy lifestyle that includes a reduced-calorie diet and exercise, provides another treatment option for chronic weight management.”