First do no harm with anti- obesity and other drugs

摘要

We welcome the decision by the European Medicines Agency to refuse marketing authorisation forthe fixed dose combination of topiramate (an antiepileptic) and phentermine (an appetite suppressant amphetamine). The loss of a few kilograms cannot justify exposing patients to the known adverse effects of the two drugs combined, such as psychiatric disorders, cardiac arrhythmias, and metabolic acidosis.2 Yet, given the attractiveness of the antiobesity market, submissions for marketing approval are expected for other similarly dangerous appetite suppressants, such as lorcaserin, lisdexamfetamine, liraglutide, and combined bupropion-naltrexone.