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2005/05/12, 01:09 PM
Here is an excerpt from a news item I was reading....
New Drug Could Cut Obesity
A drug awaiting approval in the United States and Europe has been shown to help reduce body weight, waist size and risk factors for heart disease in obese people, according to a European study published recently in The Lancet. A previous North American trial for the new medication, rimonabant, found similar results.
An estimated 64 percent of Americans and over 50 percent of Europeans are considered overweight or obese, according to government studies. Being overweight can increase a person’s risk of cardiovascular and other diseases.
Rimonabant works by stemming cravings for food. The manufacturer, Sanofi-Synthelabo of France, is also studying the drug as a possible smoking cessation treatment.
In the latest study, 1,507 overweight people were randomly assigned 5 mg or 20 mg of rimonabant, or a placebo administered along with a calorie-controlled diet. After one year, 67 percent of those treated with 20 mg achieved weight loss of at least 5 percent, and 39 percent achieved weight loss of at least 10 percent. Patients assigned 5 mg lost less weight, but did better than those on the placebo. These 20 mg patients also saw greater reductions in waist circumference than those taking the placebo.
The most common side effects were depressed mood, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache and dizziness.
Tip: Rimonabant has not yet been approved in the United States. There are several approved drugs on the market designed to help reduce weight, including Xenical and Meridia. Check with your doctor for advice on a sensible weight-loss plan, and remember that all drugs carry the risk of side effects.
What do you think about this future drug? I say it is a good idea in ways, but I think people need to realize that diet AND exercise is the answer, not just diet. People always look for the easy way out, and drug company's are more than helpy to profit from it..... Why not educate, inform, and motivate instead of trying to make "easy miracle cures" for all those too lazy to go out and improve their lives through hard work and dedication?
Just my 2 cents.
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:Hard work equals great results!:
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