More anti-obesity drugs set to enter FDA approval process
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 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.
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).