A report indicates that more “magic bullet” type anti-obesity drugs, Qnexa from Vivus, Lorcaserin hydrochloride from Arena Pharmaceuticals and Contrave from Orexigen, are destined to enter the FDA approval process soon. Reports are that obese patients who took one of the medications along with reducing calories and exercising lost about 15% of their starting weight in a 12-month period.

A new study, published in an editorial in the October issue of British Medical Journal, has indicated a link between mental illness and obesity in patients. “Evan Atlantis from the University of Adelaide’s School of Medicine said that several psychosocial, lifestyle and physiological factors may be involved in the complex inter-relationship between obesity and mental illness. Reduced physical activity and overeating, particularly comfort foods rich in fats and sugars, to improve mood are common among depressed and anxious patients.

Orexigen Therapeutics announced that its obesity drug Empatic demonstrated significant weight loss in a Phase IIb clinical trial, intensifying the race for an anti-obesity drug. Empatic combines the antidepressant Wellbutrin with the anti-seizure drug zonisamide. Approximately 60% of patients given the maximum dose of Empatic lost 5% of their body weight, compared to 14.7% for the placebo. Patients who completed the 24-week trial lost weight at an average of 10%. The results exceeded FDA requirements for weight control drugs.

Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc’s experimental obesity pill lorcaserin met one of two federal weight-loss goals, a result sufficient to seek US approval of the drug. About 47% of patients on lorcaserin after one year of treatment lost 5% or more of their body weight compared with 25% of those taking a placebo, or dummy pill, Arena said in a statement.

Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc’s experimental obesity pill lorcaserin met one of two federal weight-loss goals, a result sufficient to seek US approval of the drug. About 47 percent of patients on lorcaserin after one year of treatment lost 5 percent or more of their body weight compared with 25 percent of those taking a placebo, or dummy pill, Arena said.