Biggest losers shed 22 pounds in Qnexa weight loss drug trial

Fen-phen died in court, but phenteramine was cleared of all serious charges. Gadde et al report phase III results for Qnexa (by Vivus), a phenteramine-topiramate combination. Over 56 weeks, takers of a double-dose of study drug lost 10 kg; single-dose, 8 kg; and placebo, 1.4 kg. There were plenty of side effects (dry mouth and paresthesias 20%; dysgeusia, insomnia, dizziness, depression & anxiety-related adverse events each in 7% or more at the high dose).(n=2,487). Lancet 2011;377:1341-1352.