Phentermine/Topiramate extended-release capsules (Qsymia) for weight loss

摘要

Obesity is a rapidly growing medical condition in the U.S. In 2010, approximately 35% of American adults were classified as obese.1 The high prevalence of obesity has affected health care expenditures, with more than $99 billion spent in 1999, attributed to complications of the disease. Obesity is associated with a higher incidence of and higher morbidity rates of several disease states (Table 1); it also has adverse effects on women's health, including complications during pregnancy and menstrual irregularities. Colon, breast, and endometrial cancer are found at higher incidence rates in obese patients, and overall mortality rates are increased by 50% to 100%.The most commonly used medications approved for weight loss include phen-termine resin (Ionamin, UCB Pharma); phentermine HC1 (Adipex-P, Gate), diethylpropion (Tenuate, formerly Sanofi-Aventis), and orlistat (Xenical, Roche/ Genentech; nonprescription Alii, Glaxo-SmithMne). Amphetamines, methyl-phenidate (Ritalin, CIBA/Novartis), sertraline (Zoloft, Pfizer),fluoxetine (Prozac, Eli Lilly), zonisamide (Zonegran, Elan/ Eisai), and topiramate (Topamax, Jans-sen) have also been used in an off-label fashion for weight loss.