Health Information - New Diet Pill May Put Gastric Bypass Out of Business

New Diet Pill May Put Gastric Bypass Out of Business

Tesofensine, a new weight loss drug, is shown to help patients lose two times more weight than any current weight loss medication.

The study testing Tesofensine against current weight loss medications included 203 obese patients. The patients were given either a Placebo, a 0.25 mg dose of Tesofensine, a 0.50 mg dose of Tesofensine or a 1 mg dose of Tesofensine. After 24 weeks on the medication and a low calorie diet, each of the group exhibited some weight loss.

Placebo – less than 5 pounds lost
0.25 mg – 14.7 pounds lost
0.50 mg – 25 pounds lost
1.00 mg – 28 pounds lost

With the increased mg, the patients experienced a greater chance of side effects. The most common side effects were increased blood pressure, dry mouth, nausea, Constipation and Diarrhea. Researchers believe the best dosage for humans would be the 0.50 mg dosage. This midline dose presented the least amount of side effects related to the best results.

Currently the two big name anti-Obesity drugs on the market are Meridia and Acomplia. Each of these medications offer the patient an average weight loss of 12 to 14 pounds over a 24 week time span.

Tesofensine works in the brain with dopamine and serotonin to tell the brain hunger is reduced. The less hungry the patient feels, the less they will eat and a negative calorie deficit will occur. The Tesofensine works best when the medication is taken during the weight loss phase of a diet and the maintenance phase. At this time, the medication is not one patients will be able to take in order to lose weight and then leave behind after the weight loss is completed. Continuing the medication helps the patient to maintain the weight loss.

Researchers are concerned about the increase in heart rate and blood pressure levels of the participants taking the medication. Further study will provide more information on the long term efficacy of this weight loss drug and the potential for using this medication in patients who would otherwise undergo weight loss surgery.