A study led by a UT Southwestern Medical Center researcher indicated on the brain chemical serotonin, when spurred by diet drugs such as Fen-phen, works to curb appetite. This knowledge could aid in the design of safer anti-obesity drugs nearly a decade after Fen-phen was banned for causing harmful side effects. The study found that serotonin activates some neurons and melanocortin-4 receptors, or MC4Rs, to curb appetite and at the same time blocks other neurons that normally act to increase appetite.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Teva Pharmaceutical Industries’ New Drug Application (NDA) for Plan B® One-Step emergency contraception (levonorgestrel tablet, 1.5 mg). With new Plan B® One-Step, women can help prevent an unintended pregnancy resulting from unprotected sex or contraceptive failure with just one pill in one dose. While the FDA has expanded the over-the-counter (OTC) access to Plan B® One-Step to consumers aged 17 or more, younger girls will require a prescription.

Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals Inc is recalling all lots of its dietary supplement since it contains benzamidenafil, an unapproved drug that may pose health risks. The Stamina-Rx label does not name Benzamidenafil as one of the constituents. Benzamidenafil belongs to the same class of drugs as the active ingredients in the erectile dysfunction drugs Viagra, Cialis and Levitra.

A new study conducted by a group of researchers led by Professor Bill Ledger from the University of Sheffield has suggested that minor weight loss in obese women could boost their chances of getting pregnant. The study was conducted on 40 obese women who were not ovulating, with several of them suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).